Fellowship

Fellowship Programme

The Fellowship Programme is the heart of our Academy. This is where the knowledge of tomorrow is created. It offers each Fellow academic and practical support, facilitates networking opportunities, provides a working environment for individual projects and ensures a family-friendly environment.

The Academy of International Affairs North Rhine-Westphalia (AIA NRW) awards fellowships (in the form of buy-outs and scholarships) to outstanding academic scholars and practitioners who spend time in Bonn, the German UN city, to carry out projects focussing on important issues in the field of international politics. AIA NRW offers a professional platform and a unique environment that fosters a dynamic and lively exchange in an international, interdisciplinary setting. We invite both experienced and junior scholars (post-doc level and upwards) from all academic disciplines and practitioners from politics, diplomacy, media, business and civil society to apply for fellowships lasting between three and ten months at AIA NRW in Bonn.

Who can apply?

The fellowship programme of the Academy is aimed at outstanding and dedicated scholars and practitioners of all nationalities. We welcome applications from disciplines that contribute to debates in the broader context of international politics. Scholars from postdoc levels onwards are eligible to apply to the academic track. The practitioner‘s track invites applications from experts with professional experience in the fields of politics, diplomacy, business, NGOs or the media. The fellowship programme offers a unique exchange between research and practice and builds on a mutual openness to engage.

For how long?

The fellowship programme is premised on the presence of fellows at the Academy. Interested experts can apply for stays between three and ten months and are expected to reside in Bonn during this time. Stays can take place between April and March of the following year.

To what end?

The disciplinary variety and the international composition of each group creates a dynamic atmosphere of reciprocal learning. The goal of the fellowship programme is for fellows to find the time and infrastructure to conduct exciting projects and to initiate and foster joint projects that go beyond established disciplinary boundaries. Regular research colloquia, research group meetings and in-house events as well as collaboration opportunities with cooperation partners in Bonn, the region and Germany allow for a lively exchange and the creation of sustainable networks.

What do we expect?

Fellows are expected to reside in Bonn during their fellowship without any longer absences. A regular, active participation in in-house and collaborative activities, including contributions to the publication series at the Academy, are part of a fellowship as well as a willingness to promote activities at the Academy by engaging with stakeholders.

Provided offerings?

The Academy is situated in a historical building in the picturesque Bad Godesberg, only a few minutes’ walk from the river banks of the Rhine. The Academy offers meeting rooms, social spaces and community kitchens where fellows can meet during the day and for social events, and each fellow will be provided with a fully equipped work place in single or shared offices. To reimburse fellows during their stay, the Academy makes individual financial agreements with each fellow that reflect the financial situation at their home institution and the costs incurred by living in Germany. Such arrangements can take the form of stipends or buyouts and teaching replacements. A no-gain-no-loss principle is applied. The Academy further covers the costs of travel to and from Bonn and takes care of accommodation while in residence. The Academy’s working language is English.

What about families?

Partners and children are welcome to accompany fellows for the duration of their stay. The Academy offers information on child care, (international) schools, or kindergartens. The Academy can provide appropriate residences in Bonn for the fellows and their accompanying families.