Heritage in transformation fellowship

Fellowships for 2025–6 will normally run from 1 October 2025 until 31 July 2026, though in exceptional cases shorter fellowships of at least 6 months within this period will be considered.

Applications for fellowships for 2025–6 should address questions of inheritance – such as, its legal, economic, philosophical, material and biological dimensions and implications; its articulation with generation(s) and related concepts and practices, as well as with certain conceptions of time and space; its mobilization for constructions of identity and, or justifications for exclusions; its visualization or other multimodal renderings; and alternative (‘inheritance otherwise’) or overlapping notions and practices. Applications should also relate to one or more of our guiding themes: decentring the west, decentring the human, and transforming value. Successful projects are likely to be based in original empirical or archival study/analysis of source material (which may have already been undertaken) or creative work.

Researchers and topics from areas currently underrepresented in heritage scholarship, including the global South and Eastern Europe, are especially encouraged to apply. We also welcome applications from artists, film-makers and curators.

Participation in and
contribution to inherit

During the fellowship, fellows are expected to be based in Berlin and devote their time to their work in the Centre (except for a small number of possible short visits elsewhere, such as to give talks or participate in workshops). This includes actively participating in inherit’s events, such as the regular colloquium, workshops, the annual lecture series and conference. It is also encouraged to contribute to our dissemination platforms. A work space at our Centre is provided.

Duration and conditions

Fellowships can be awarded for a period of at least 6 to a maximum of 10 months. Preference may be given to applications for the full time period, which runs from the beginning of October 2025 until the end of July 2026. Please indicate the desired length of your stay in your application. Other than for short visits elsewhere, it is required that you spend the time of your fellowship in Berlin and that you participate in the work of inherit. A monthly stipend whose rate is determined by career stage, current salary and whether family members accompany the fellow, or, in the case of applicants based in Germany, replacement cover, will be awarded. In addition, the costs for the return journey (economy) to Berlin and any necessary visa costs will be reimbursed. You are required to cover accommodation, health insurance and any further costs.

It is possible to apply as a team but to do so you should submit your application individually, but with the same cover letter and project proposal as your project partner(s). If your group application is successful, the amount of the scholarship will be negotiated individually.

Unfortunately, members of Humboldt-Universität are not eligible to become fellows.

Application requirements

Applicants should have completed (submitted and successfully defended by the application deadline) a PhD to an excellent standard and significant publishing from this or, in the case of artists and practitioners, should have a substantial portfolio of accomplished work.

Applications should include the following:

A covering letter stating proposed start date and length of fellowship, title of proposed project and brief motivation for applying to inherit.

A CV that includes:

• List including dates and locations of the beginning and completion of all further and higher education, including PhD in the case of academic researchers. The title of the PhD should be given. Funding sources should also be listed.
• List of academic- or practice-related activities, including exhibitions, film or conference presentations, organizational activities, teaching etc.
• Any fellowships, prizes or awards, with dates, sources and funding amounts.

Full list of publications, making clear which emanate from the PhD (where relevant). If written in a language other than English, please provide a translation of the title. Include full reference details, including page numbers and online links where relevant.

List of art works, films or exhibitions, making clear own role and providing details of times and locations of showing (where relevant).

Project proposal – up to 2 pages of A4 (in a font no smaller than Times new Roman pitch 11) but with further annex of up to 6 pages of images, where relevant. To include: title and abstract (150 words), summary of proposed work, including making clear how it relates to the topic of inheritance and one or more of the guiding themes of inherit, as well as its relations to your previous work; timetable; any resources necessary to completing the work.

Contact information

Please submit your application as one PDF file (max. 10 MB) to applications-inherit@hu-berlin.de by 29 April 2024.

If you have any questions, please have a look at our FAQ or contact Ms. Gultakin Bayramova (fellowships-inherit@hu-berlin.de).

Selection

The selection process is made by an internal committee together with the advisory board. Selection is based on a combination of factors. These include the merit of the proposals, including fit to the call focus and themes; previous track-record; ensuring a mix of disciplines, career levels and diversities of various kinds; and likely contribution to, and profiting from, the overall inherit community and agenda.