CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

WINTER TERM 2025 Research Fellowship Competition Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies

Fellowship turn: October to December 2025

The KIU Research Fellowship supports outstanding, interdisciplinary research related
to Ukraine. Scholars from fields such as history, the social sciences, science and
technology studies, economics, media and legal studies, cultural and conflict studies,
and related areas are invited to deepen their projects, expand academic networks, and
contribute to a dynamic Ukraine-focused research environment.

The European University Viadrina in cooperation with its leading partner institutions in
Berlin, including the Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS),
Humboldt University, Free University of Berlin, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of
Sciences and Humanities, and the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin hosts the fellowships.
For the winter term 2025 we are offering on-site fellowships for committed scientists
from all the above-mentioned disciplines. Research topics should be related to our
umbrella topic:

Infrastructural Fragmentation, Infrastructural Resilience: Interdisciplinary
Perspectives on Techno-Politics and Crisis

Infrastructures—both physical (such as bridges, power grids, and cable networks) and
knowledge-based (including universities and civil society institutions)—are increasingly
being targeted and destroyed in Ukraine and its occupied territories as a result of
Russia’s full-scale invasion. As geopolitical uncertainties rise, these attacks are also
increasingly affecting other parts of Europe. Infrastructures are both physical and knowledge-based. Physical infrastructures—such as bridges, power plants, and cable networks—and knowledge infrastructures—including universities and civil society organizations—are increasingly being attacked and destroyed in Ukraine and its occupied territories by Russia’s full-scale invasion.

We seek contributions that explore:
• What does infrastructural resilience mean in today’s context of escalating
geopolitical uncertainty?
• In what ways is it being challenged by various forms of physical and informational
attack?
• How might resilience evolve from a reactive stance into a more preventive
approach?
• And what role does critical engagement play in shaping infrastructural
developments?

Aims and Scope
The KIU Research Fellowships are designed to bring together scholars from all career
stages, starting two years after the completion of their doctorate. Fellows are expected to
concentrate on their individual research projects while actively participating in the
academic life at the KIU. This includes at least one presentation of their work and a
willingness to explore opportunities for collaboration—both with other fellows and with
members of the KIU research community. Fellows will work in close cooperation with an
academic host affiliated with the KIU, fostering mutual intellectual exchange.
The residential fellowship at the European University Viadrina offers a monthly
stipend of €2,000 to €2,300 (depending on career stage) for a period of three months, as
well as a one-time travel allowance of up to €600. Fellows are provided with a dedicated
workspace in the KIU’s co-working office in Frankfurt (Oder). Presence on site is
expected, as the fellowship is designed to promote intensive scholarly exchange within
the KIU community.

In addition to pursuing their individual projects, fellows are invited to take part in the
weekly research colloquium, the KIU lecture series, and the KIU lunch meetings. Beyond
these formats, there will also be additional opportunities to present and discuss the
research in other academic or public settings. The Viadrina will support fellows in finding
accommodation in Frankfurt (Oder). The fellowship term runs from October to December
2025.

Applicants are encouraged to outline the expected outcomes of their fellowship—such as
planned publications, project proposals, or conference panels—in their application.
Collaborative initiatives developed during the fellowship, particularly those involving other
fellows or KIU members, are especially welcome. Proposals that suggest longer-term
cooperation beyond the fellowship period will be viewed favorably.

How to Apply
Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the KIU’s research areas,
ongoing projects, and academic staff. As part of your application, please identify a
preferred academic host and briefly explain your motivation for this choice, including the
intended focus of the collaboration. Applications must include a letter of recommendation from a recognized scholar in your field.

Please submit your application via the KIU online portal by 25 June 2025. Applicants
must register on the portal in advance. The portal will open at the end of May 2025.

Required Documents
Applicants are kindly asked to submit the following documents:
• Curriculum Vitae, including:
o A recent photograph (JPG)
o A copy of your ID document (JPG)
o Copies of your degree certificates (JPG or PDF)
o Relevant language certificates, if applicable (JPG or PDF)
• Project Summary
A brief abstract of your proposed research project (max. 300 words).
• Detailed Project Proposal
• A comprehensive description of your research project (max. 1,500 words),
including:
o Research question and design
o Work plan and methodology
o Intended outcomes to be achieved during the fellowship period
• List of Publications
Please include your complete publication list and highlight up to five publications
that are most relevant to your proposed project.
• Letter of Recommendation
A letter from a respected scholar in your field (please note: this must not be from
a KIU researcher)
• Academic Host at KIU
Please indicate a potential academic host from the KIU and briefly outline:
o Why you would like to collaborate with this particular scholar?
o How your project could benefit from this academic exchange?

Online consultation: Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 2.30 P.M. (CET)
(Please find the zoom link on our website.)

List of potential KIU Hosts: https://www.kiu.europa-uni.de/en/fellowships/researchfellowship-
competition/index.html#05-listofsupervisors-155738817

Contact:
Please direct any questions about the application to Dr. Susann Worschech (scientific
coordinator) and Renata Hanynets (research management assistant):
kiu-fellowship@europa-uni.de

Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder)-Berlin
European University Viadrina
Visiting address: Große Scharrnstraße 23a
www.kiu.europa-uni.de