The ZUKOnnect Fellowship 2025 is now accepting applications. The Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships fund early-career scholars from Asia, Africa, and Latin America affiliated with one of the University’s thirteen departments. 

Up to (8) four postdoctoral stipends for three months with a justification of up to 4 months are available for an on-campus research stay at the Zukunftskolleg. A digital affiliation complements this Fellowship and extends it to 12 months. 

As a ZUKOnnect Fellow, you can use this time to broaden your research networks and familiarize yourself with the research environment at the University of Konstanz while maintaining your current employment. The Zukunftskolleg will not offer ZUKOnnect Fellows employment contracts.

Details 

• Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 
• On-site Fellowship Start Date: 1 October 2025
• Digital Affiliation Start Date: 1 August 2025
• Organizer: Zukunftskolleg Konnect
• Host Institute: University of Konstanz
• Location: Germany 
• Gender: Male/Female
• Funding Type: Fully-funded  
• Number of Positions: 8
• Degree Level: Research 
• Eligible Countries: All
• Program Duration: 3 up to 4 Months
• Language Required: English  

Benefits 

Applicants can benefit from the Fellowship as follows:

• The organizer pays a stipend of € 1,300 per month for doctorate students and € 2,000 per month for postdoctoral researchers during the on-campus research stay (following DAAD Guidelines);
• Standard costs for a round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Konstanz in economy class;
• The opportunity to take part in events hosted by the Zukunftskolleg;
• Access to library resources and books;
• Access to IT support services;
• Access to research services via Research Support; 
• A 750€ research allowance (upon request)
• Research Return Visit by a member of University of Konstanz to your home institution (upon request)
• A digital affiliation will be available to ZUKOnnect Fellows, extending the total time to 12 months. Applicants will receive up to € 900 to help with the digital affiliation (lump sum). 
• Career Kit Plus, including weekly series of seminars and workshops
• ZUKOnnect meetings with fellows, staff, PhD students called “Fellows go Local”

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants who wish to apply for ZUKOnnect Fellowship 2025 should meet the following requirements: 

• The applicant was born and worked in a Latin American, Asian, or African country.
• The applicant has a doctorate or doctoral student in the final year (maximum two years, doctoral degree conferred after February 15, 2023).
• Applicants completed or will complete their doctorate at a Latin American, Asian, or African university.
• The applicant doesn’t have a permanent professorship, a habilitation, or an equivalent qualification.
• The applicant’s research proposal should fit with one of the University of Konstanz’s research disciplines.
• Applicants should name a researcher from the University of Konstanz with whom they want to collaborate (there is no need to contact them before).
• Fellows must support collaboration with one of the current Zukunftskolleg Fellows. 

Fellows’ Responsibilities

All applicants should complete the following responsibilities during the Fellowship: 

• During the on-site ZUKOnnect Fellowship, the applicant will live in Konstanz or a nearby city.
• Must actively contribute to the multidisciplinary dialogue during the on-campus research stay and digital affiliation, e.g., during weekly Jour fix meetings at the Zukunftskolleg.
• Interact with colleagues and researchers from relevant departments at the University of Konstanz. 
• Should present a presentation in a seminar or a public lecture.
• Must acknowledge the sponsorship of the Zukunftskolleg in any publications that come from their stay.
• Should produce a brief report on their accomplishments and activities within six months of completing your ZUKOnnect Fellowship.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare and submit all these required documents as separate PDF file in English: 

• Motivation Letter (max. two pages) explaining objectives for the research stay at the University and how the applicant’s research ties in with the research landscape at the Zukunftskolleg; 
• Ongoing Research Project Summary (max. three pages including references);
• Work and Time Plan for an on-campus research stay (max. two pages). 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV). 
• Relevant Certificates (like a doctoral certificate OR a letter from the applicant’s doctoral supervisor confirming the status of their doctoral thesis)
• Track A: One academic letter of reference from the respective reviewer, Track B: Nomination Letter by Konstanz (junior) professor will be sent directly to the Zukunftskolleg

Note: Please don’t upload any additional documents and certificates. 

How to Apply?

Applicants who wish to apply for the ZUKOnnect Fellowship can start their applications through the link below. The reference number is 2024/230. Please remember to submit application documents in English as separate PDF files. 

Apply Now

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For detailed information about the ZUKOnnect Fellowship, please visit the ZUKOnnect Website or ZUKOnnect Call for Application. For any questions, please email [email protected].