The “Freigeist” Fellowship scheme is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and open to junior researchers (up to 4 years postdoc experience) from all research disciplines.

Funding is available for your own position (head of junior research group) for up to € 1 million and 5 (+3) years.

If you are an outstanding junior researchers who wish to carry out research at the boundaries between established fields of research, then check out further details below and online and apply by 11 October 2018.

Objective
A ‘Freigeist’ fellow: for the Volkswagen Foundation this means a young researcher with a strong personality, a creative mind, an ability to identify and use freedom, dedicated to overcoming resistance. If necessary, he or she will be a free spirit, enjoying the unexpected, even unexpected difficulties. A ‘Freigeist’ fellow opens up new horizons and combines critical analysis with imagination and innovative solutions. By thinking ahead the ‘Freigeist’ fellow will act as a catalyst in overcoming existing disciplinary, institutional and even national boundaries.

Scope of Funding
The ‘Freigeist’ scheme is deliberately left open to all disciplines and topics. The main focus is on junior researchers (up to 4 years of postdoctoral experience) working at the borders of neighbouring fields or disciplines. The ‘Freigeist’ initiative offers freedom for creative thinking, whilst at the same time providing security for at least 5 years and in the long run the opportunity to establish a career within a scientific research organization or university in Germany. The initiative even incorporates the possibility to apply for additional components during the funding period (e.g. funding of staff positions, travel expenses etc.).
Details of conditions and the application procedure can be found under Information for Applicants. Applications must be filed electronically via the application portal.

Background
The ‘Freigeist’ initiative builds upon the previous funding scheme for junior research groups and the Dilthey- and Schumpeter Fellowships which were terminated recently. These will be integrated into the ‘Freigeist’ initiative, providing continuous support for scholars from the humanities and social sciences but at the same time offering new chances for the sciences as well. The ‘Freigeist’ Fellowships and the Lichtenberg Professorships complement each other using a different approach and structure.