Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026 – Exceptional Opportunity for Emerging Scholars in Humanities & Social Sciences

Brief Information

The Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026 offers emerging scholars in the humanities and social sciences the opportunity to pursue three months of funded research at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna. Part of the Ukraine and the World Program, this prestigious fellowship supports research that examines global issues in culture, society, politics, feminism, anti-imperialism, literary history, illness and disability—with particular reference to Ukraine’s past and present.

Selected fellows will spend three consecutive months between September 2026 and June 2027 at the IWM, receiving stipends of EUR 3,300 (postdocs) or EUR 2,750 (doctoral candidates) per month.

Key Dates & Details

• Programme: Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026–2027
• Host: Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna
• Fellowship Duration: 3 consecutive months (Sept 2026 – June 2027)
• Stipend:
  • EUR 3,300/month (postdoctoral researchers)
  • EUR 2,750/month (doctoral candidates)
• Eligibility: Doctoral candidates or PhD holders (PhD obtained after 16 January 2022)
• Application Deadline: 16 January 2026, 23:59 CET
• Language: English
• Apply Here: https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/lesia-2026-2027
• Official Website: https://www.iwm.at/calls/lesia-ukrainka-fellowship-26-27
• Contact: [email protected]

Overview

The Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026 supports outstanding scholars whose work examines pressing cultural, societal and political questions with a significant connection to Ukraine. Projects addressing feminism, colonialism, disability, illness, literary history, and modern cultural transformation—central to the life and legacy of Lesia Ukraїnka—are particularly encouraged.

As part of the broader Ukraine and the World Program, this fellowship fosters advanced research that sheds light on Ukraine’s global intellectual contributions, its historical trajectories, and its contemporary challenges.

Priority consideration is given to scholars currently based in Ukraine, and the programme is designed to support academic development, foster international networks, and strengthen Ukraine-related scholarship in global discourse.

Fellowship Conditions

Selected fellows will:

• Spend three consecutive months at the IWM in Vienna between September 2026 and June 2027
• Receive a monthly stipend of:
  • EUR 3,300 (postdoctoral researchers)
  • EUR 2,750 (doctoral candidates)
• Gain access to:
  • Office space
  • Internet and in-house research facilities
  • Administrative and academic support
  • IWM’s community of scholars, events and seminars

Expenses

The stipend must cover all costs, including:

• Travel to/from Vienna
• Accommodation
• Health insurance
• Utilities, transportation and telecommunications
• Research expenses (books, conferences, materials)

Fellowships always start on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the final month.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026 must:

• Be enrolled in a PhD programme in the humanities or social sciences OR
• Hold a PhD awarded after 16 January 2022
• Submit all materials in English
• Have a research project aligned with the thematic focus of the call

Not eligible:

• Multiple fellowship applications in the same academic year
• Applicants who have held an IWM resident fellowship within the past two academic years
• Applicants reapplying for the same IWM programme they previously received

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online application form:

👉 Apply here: https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/lesia-2026-2027

Email submissions will not be considered.

Important: All documents must be combined into one PDF file using Latin characters in the file name.

Required Documents

1. Letter of Motivation

Explain:

• how your project benefits from the fellowship,
• relevance to IWM’s mission and research,
• specific goals for research and writing.

2. Project Description (max. 550 characters)

Short summary of the project.

3. Full Project Proposal (max. 7,500 characters) including:

a) objectives
b) current state of research
c) methods
d) work plan

4. Curriculum Vitae

Include complete list of publications.

5. Two Letters of Recommendation

• Must be submitted directly by recommenders
• Should come from scholars familiar with the applicant’s academic work
• Recommenders receive an automated email with submission instructions after application upload

All materials must be in English.

Evaluation & Selection

Applications will be reviewed by a jury of experts based on:

• Originality and relevance of the research
• Methodological rigor
• Professional academic preparation
• Ability to complete the project within fellowship timeframe
• Interdisciplinary and collaborative dimensions
• Potential scholarly or public impact

Applicants will be notified of results by 30 April 2026.
The jury does not provide individual feedback.

About Lesia Ukraїnka

Lesia Ukraїnka (1872–1913) was one of Ukraine’s foremost literary figures, activists and intellectuals. A pioneering feminist, modernist writer and social-democratic thinker, she articulated themes of resistance, national identity, colonialism and human dignity. Her literary achievements and political engagement continue to influence Ukrainian and global culture.

The fellowship honours her legacy by supporting scholars whose work engages deeply with Ukraine’s cultural, historical and political narratives.

FAQ — Lesia Ukraїnka Fellowship 2026

Official Links

• Official Fellowship Website:
  https://www.iwm.at/calls/lesia-ukrainka-fellowship-26-27
• Application Form:
  https://civi.iwm.at/form/app/lesia-2026-2027
• Contact:
  Kasper Nowak, Fellowship Program Coordinator
  [email protected]

Visit More Opportunities – Oppotify.com

Find more global fellowships, academic programmes and research opportunities at:
👉 https://oppotify.com