GERDA HENKEL Fellowships at the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS Sofia)
With the support of the Gerda Henkel Stiftung
The Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS Sofia) announces a Call for Applications for its GERDA HENKEL Fellowship for fundamental historical research in the field of social sciences and humanities. The five-month in-residence fellowships are granted under the framework of the CAS Advanced Academia programme and supports PhD holders from the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China (only Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
OBJECTIVE
CAS Sofia is an independent Institute with international and multidisciplinary profile. Located in Sofia, Bulgaria, it promotes high-level scholarship in the social sciences and the humanities. In addition to supporting focus-group research, CAS Sofia invites outstanding scholars to pursue their individual research projects during in-residence periods of up to five months. The invited Fellows participate in the intellectual life and the scholarly community of the Centre (Bulgarian and foreign fellows) while working on projects of their own choice. Fellows receive adequate material and intellectual support and can profit from the Centre’s wide international networks, international seminar- and guest-lecturer programme. CAS Sofia assists Fellows in all practical matters concerning travel, residence and research in Sofia.
FORMAT
Fellows are entitled to:
- A monthly stipend of 850 Euro (liable to 10% income tax) to cover living expenses related to the stay in Sofia;
- Accommodation in Sofia, comprising living quarters and working space. The Fellows will also have free access to the CAS library and electronic resources/databases;
- Travel from the home country to Sofia and back, visa and insurance costs (up to 800 Euro);
- Research field trip abroad during the fellowship period – from 750 to 1500 Euro (a one-time allowance);
- Research expenses (100 Euro per month).
DURATION AND CONDITIONS
Candidates may apply for two periods:
- 1 October 2025 – 28 February 2026 (Winter semester)
- 1 March 2026 – 31 July 2026 (Summer semester)
N.B. The final invitation for fellowship depends on the ranking of the application and the preferred period. Availability for both periods is an advantage for the applicant. Please, indicate in the application form whether you prefer one or either period.
The selected Fellows will take part in the regular Fellow seminars and the other scientific events organized by the Centre (workshops, conferences, lectures, etc.) and are invited to present and discuss their project in lectures or seminars. The results of their work shall be summarized in a paper (in English), to be published in the electronic CAS Working Paper Series.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must:
- Be citizens of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China (only Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan;
- Have completed a PhD in the fields of the humanities and social sciences;
- Have international research experience (participation in projects and refereed conferences) and publications in peer-reviewed academic editions are strong advantages;
- Preference will be given to candidates below the age of 45.
WORKING LANGUAGE
As an international academic institution CAS conducts most of its work in English which is also the language of the presentations of research results. Therefore, a good command of English is highly desirable.
APPLICATION
Links for downloading:
Please carefully consider these documents when preparing your application. Two letters of recommendation by scholars familiar with the applicant’s academic work should be emailed to CAS by the referees. Extensions to this period may be allowed in case of eligible career breaks which must be properly documented (maternity leave, long-term illness leave, national service).
All application documents should be presented in English and sent by e-mail to dimov@cas.bg with a subject entry “Gerda Henkel Fellowships”.
Deadline for applications: March 31, 2025
SELECTION CRITERIA
- High quality of the candidate’s academic portfolio and publications, participation in international research;
- Innovative fundamental research proposal with significant contribution;
- Interdisciplinary and/or comparative approaches are an advantage.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
The selection will be carried out by the international Academic Council of CAS based on evaluation of the potential of the candidate relative to his/her career stage and the quality of the proposed project. The short-listed candidates will be invited for an on-line interview in the second half of June 2025. The results will be announced in July 2025 by e-mail and at the website of the institute: https://cas.bg/. Members of the CAS Academic Council do not disclose their assessment reports on the applications to candidates.
The Academic Council reserves the right, in cases of candidatures with equal quality, to grant advantage to candidates that have not been CAS Fellows within the preceding 3 years / have not repeatedly held CAS fellowships in the past.
CONTACT PERSON AND MAILING ADDRESS
Mr. Dimiter Dimov, e-mail: dimov@cas.bg
Centre for Advanced Study Sofia; Sofia 1000, 7B Stefan Karadzha St,
tel.: + 359 2 980 08 43
