CALAS-HIAS Research Fellowship 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The CALAS-HIAS Research Fellowship is a prestigious academic fellowship jointly offered by the Maria Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CALAS) and the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS) in Germany. This fully funded, six-month fellowship invites outstanding scholars, artists, and cultural professionals from Latin America and the Caribbean to carry out original research at two world-class German institutions: HIAS in Hamburg and the University of Kassel. The fellowship covers a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, visa costs, airfare, and more, making it one of the most comprehensive research opportunities available for Latin American academics at the postdoctoral level and beyond.

This fellowship is designed for researchers, artists, and cultural professionals from all Latin American and Caribbean countries who are working at the postdoctoral level or higher. It is open to scholars across all disciplines, including political economy, social sciences, humanities, languages, and the arts, provided their proposed research engages meaningfully with the theme of socioecological transformation in Latin America. Outstanding artists and cultural professionals with an international profile are also eligible, not just traditional academics.

This post covers everything you need to know about this fellowship: who qualifies, what the benefits include, which countries are eligible, what documents are required, a step-by-step application guide, key dates, and answers to the most commonly asked questions. Read through carefully and prepare your application well ahead of the May 31, 2025 deadline.

Fellowship Overview

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for the CALAS-HIAS Research Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Citizenship and Origin: Applicants must be from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Researchers, artists, and cultural professionals of all nationalities from the region are eligible to apply.

Academic and Professional Qualifications: Applicants must be at the postdoctoral level or beyond. The fellowship is open to researchers from all disciplines as well as outstanding artists and cultural professionals. There is no upper career stage limit, meaning senior academics and established professionals are equally encouraged to apply.

Research Alignment: The proposed research project must align with the 2026 fellowship theme: “Pathways of Socioecological Transformation in Latin America.” The project must intersect at least two of the three thematic dimensions outlined in the call:

• Cultural conditions of socioecological transformation
• Political and economic prerequisites and consequences
• Technological preferences and their implications

Publications: Applicants must have relevant publications related to the fellowship topic and their proposed research project. This demonstrates prior engagement with the subject area.

International Visibility: Applicants should have demonstrated international visibility in their respective fields, along with proven creativity and originality in their work.

Language Requirements: A strong command of both written and spoken English and Spanish is essential. The fellowship involves participation in academic events, and fellows are expected to teach a course at the University of Kassel in either English or German.

Residency Requirement: The fellow must reside at the respective CALAS or HIAS host institution for the full duration of the fellowship. Remote participation is not permitted.

Participation Requirements: Fellows must actively contribute to the academic community by attending and presenting at conferences and public events organised by both host institutions.

Special Needs: Applications from academics with special needs are expressly welcome. CALAS and HIAS are committed to inclusion and gender parity.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

This fellowship is open to researchers and professionals from all Latin American and Caribbean countries. The full list includes:

Americas (Latin America and the Caribbean):

• Argentina
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Note: The call specifies “all Latin American and Caribbean countries.” If your country is part of the Latin American and Caribbean region and is not listed above, it is likely still eligible. Confirm directly with the fellowship organisers at uk106991@uni-kassel.de.

Researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, or other regions are not eligible for this particular fellowship, as it is specifically designed for scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean.

ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY

This fellowship is interdisciplinary and open to researchers and professionals from a wide range of backgrounds. Eligible disciplines include but are not limited to:

• Political economy
• Social sciences (sociology, anthropology, political science, geography, etc.)
• Humanities (history, philosophy, cultural studies, etc.)
• Languages and linguistics
• Arts and cultural production
• Environmental and ecological studies
• Gender studies
• Development studies
• Economics
• Law (where relevant to socioecological transformation)

Artists and cultural professionals whose practice engages meaningfully with the fellowship theme are also eligible, not just traditional academic researchers.

The proposed project must intersect at least two of the three thematic dimensions of the fellowship: cultural conditions, political and economic factors, and technological preferences related to socioecological transformation in Latin America.

BENEFITS

The CALAS-HIAS Research Fellowship is fully funded. The following benefits are provided:

1. Monthly Stipend: A competitively remunerated monthly stipend is provided for the full six months of the fellowship. 
2. Accommodation: The fellowship covers the cost of accommodation for the entire duration of the stay in both Hamburg and Kassel. Support is also provided in finding suitable housing.
3. Health Insurance: Full health insurance coverage is included for the six-month fellowship period.
4. Visa Costs: The fellowship covers the cost of obtaining the required German visa. Fellows also receive practical support in completing visa-related bureaucratic processes.
5. Airfare: Return airfare to and from Germany is fully covered by the fellowship.
6. Work Materials: Costs associated with work materials needed to carry out the research project are included in the grant.
7. Workplace and Infrastructure: Fellows are provided with a dedicated workspace with internet access, as well as full access to university infrastructure including library facilities at both host institutions.
8. Teaching Replacement: If the fellow holds a permanent position at their home institution, the grant can be used to finance a temporary teaching replacement for the duration of their absence.
9. Administrative Support: HIAS and the University of Kassel provide on-site support to help fellows settle in, complete bureaucratic requirements, and navigate local processes.
10. Family: CALAS and HIAS welcome the family and children of the fellow to accompany them during the fellowship period. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All documents must be submitted in English as PDF files through the online application form. Prepare the following:

1. Motivation letter explaining how your proposed project fits into the CALAS-HIAS fellowship theme and stating your expectations for the fellowship
2. Two-page curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of relevant publications and courses taught (in English and/or German)
3. Research project summary of a maximum of 2,000 words, including a timeline, work plan, and no more than 20 bibliographic sources. The project must intersect at least two thematic dimensions of the fellowship and demonstrate new perspectives and potential for interdisciplinary connections
4. Tandem partner information: the name of one or more potential academic cooperation partners from a HIAS member organisation in Hamburg. A list of HIAS member organisations is available at hias-hamburg.de/en/about-us/members/
5. Interdisciplinary course proposal: a maximum of one page including the course title and a brief description (maximum 200 words) for a course to be taught at the University of Kassel in English or German at the undergraduate or master’s level in social sciences
6. Copy of your most recent academic degree certificate(s)

HOW TO APPLY

Follow these steps to complete your application for the CALAS-HIAS Research Fellowship:

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility Before anything else, confirm that you are from a Latin American or Caribbean country, that you are at the postdoctoral level or above (or are an outstanding artist or cultural professional), and that your research interests align with the 2026 theme of socioecological transformation in Latin America.

Step 2: Review the Fellowship Theme and Dimensions Read the full fellowship call carefully. Your research project must intersect at least two of the three thematic dimensions: cultural conditions, political and economic factors, and technological preferences. Plan your project around this requirement from the start.

Step 3: Identify a Tandem Partner in Hamburg Visit the HIAS member organisations list at hias-hamburg.de/en/about-us/members/ and identify one or more potential academic partners from among the HIAS member institutions. Reaching out to them before submitting your application is strongly recommended, as a confirmed collaboration will strengthen your application significantly.

Step 4: Prepare Your Research Project Summary Write a clear, well-structured research project summary of no more than 2,000 words. Include a timeline, work plan, and no more than 20 bibliographic sources. Focus on demonstrating new perspectives, interdisciplinary connections, and the relevance of your project to the fellowship theme.

Step 5: Draft Your Course Proposal for Kassel Prepare a maximum one-page description of the interdisciplinary course you plan to teach at the University of Kassel. Include the course title and a brief course description of no more than 200 words. The course must be at the undergraduate or master’s level in social sciences and delivered in either English or German.

Step 6: Write Your Motivation Letter Write a focused motivation letter explaining why your project fits the CALAS-HIAS fellowship, what you hope to achieve during your time in Hamburg and Kassel, and what you will bring to the fellowship community. Be specific and personal.

Step 7: Prepare Your CV Update your CV to a maximum of two pages. Include a list of relevant publications and any courses you have taught in English and/or German. Highlight your international visibility and any prior interdisciplinary work.

Step 8: Gather Your Degree Certificates Locate and scan a copy of your most recent academic degree certificate. Ensure the PDF file is clear and legible.

Step 9: Complete the Online Application Form Visit the official CALAS-HIAS application portal and complete the online application form. 

Step 10: Submit Before the Deadline Submit your completed application before 31 May 2025. Review all documents one final time before clicking submit. Ensure every file is correctly labelled and that no section of the form has been left blank.

Step 11: Await Selection Results Results are announced on 1 July 2025. Monitor the email address you used for your application for communication from the fellowship organisers.

KEY DATES AND TIMELINE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The application deadline is 31 May 2025.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted. Given the competitive and interdisciplinary nature of this fellowship, it is strongly recommended that you begin preparing your documents several weeks in advance rather than rushing at the last minute.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The CALAS-HIAS fellowship committee will evaluate applications based on the following:

1. Academic and Professional Excellence: Applicants must demonstrate a strong track record in their field, evidenced by relevant publications, international presentations, and contributions to their discipline. Generic or superficial profiles will not be competitive.
2. Relevance and Quality of the Research Project: The proposed project will be assessed for its alignment with the fellowship theme, the quality of its conceptual framework, the clarity of its methodology, and its potential to produce publishable outputs. Projects that intersect at least two thematic dimensions in an original and meaningful way will be prioritised.
3. Interdisciplinary Potential: The fellowship values research that connects different fields and builds bridges between disciplines. Projects that demonstrate genuine interdisciplinary thinking and potential for collaboration with scholars from other fields will stand out.
4. International Visibility: The committee looks for candidates who are already known and respected in their field at an international level. Evidence of this might include international publications, conference presentations, invited lectures, or collaborations across borders.
5. Tandem Partnership: Having a specific and credible academic partner identified from a HIAS member institution in Hamburg adds significant strength to an application. Vague or unnamed partners will weaken an otherwise strong proposal.
6. Teaching Contribution: The quality and feasibility of the proposed course for the University of Kassel will also be considered. A well-thought-out, clearly described course that fits the social sciences curriculum will reflect well on the applicant.
7. Commitment to Community Participation: The fellowship expects active participation in academic events, public lectures, and community life at both institutions. Applications that demonstrate awareness of and enthusiasm for this dimension will be viewed positively.

IMPORTANT TIPS

1. Contact your tandem partner before applying. Do not submit the name of a potential HIAS partner without first reaching out to them. A brief email introducing yourself and your project, and asking whether they would be open to a collaboration, can make a significant difference. A warm name is far stronger than a cold one on an application form.
2. Make your research project interdisciplinary from the start. The fellowship explicitly requires your project to intersect at least two of the three thematic dimensions. Do not force this connection at the last minute. Build your project around it from the very beginning so the interdisciplinary approach feels natural and integrated.
3. Keep your research summary tight and focused. You have a maximum of 2,000 words and no more than 20 bibliographic references. Use every word wisely. Avoid lengthy background sections and spend more time articulating your specific research questions, methodology, and expected outputs.
4. Write your motivation letter with specificity. Vague motivation letters that could apply to any fellowship will not stand out. Explain precisely why CALAS-HIAS, why Hamburg and Kassel, why this theme, and what you will contribute to the fellowship community during your six months in Germany.
5. Prepare your course proposal carefully. The Kassel course is a real academic commitment, not an afterthought. Give it proper attention. Make sure your course title is engaging, your description is clear, and the content is genuinely relevant to the fellowship theme and appropriate for undergraduate or master’s students in social sciences.
6. Write in excellent English. The entire application must be submitted in English. If English is not your first language, have a trusted colleague or editor review your documents before submission. Grammatical errors or unclear writing will undermine even the strongest ideas.
7. Contact the organisers if you have any doubts. The fellowship provides a direct contact email: uk106991@uni-kassel.de. If you have specific questions about eligibility, document requirements, or the application process, write to them early. Do not guess at important details.
8. Apply well before May 31. The deadline is firm. Technical issues, file upload problems, and last-minute document gathering can all cause delays. Aim to have your complete application ready at least one week before the deadline.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

OFFICIAL LINK

For further information and to access the online application form, contact the fellowship organisers directly:

http://calas.lat/sites/default/files/call_for_application_calas_hias_2026-final.pdf

Email: uk106991@uni-kassel.de

Need Personal Guidance to Study or Work Abroad?

You can now book for a personal guidance for your scholarship applications, visa requirements, or if you’re financially ready to study or work abroad and just need someone to walk you through the process.

Book Consultation

- SPONSORED ADVERT -