The Einstein Forum and the Wittenstein Foundation offer a fellowship for outstanding young thinkers who wish to pursue a project in a different field from that of their previous research. The purpose of the fellowship is to support those who, in addition to producing outstanding work in their area of specialization, are also interested in other, interdisciplinary approaches—following the example set by Albert Einstein.
The Einstein Forum is a foundation of the German federal state of Brandenburg that serves the public as an open laboratory of the mind. Through a varied program of conferences, workshops, podium discussions, and lectures it brings together original thinkers from all over the world to test new ideas—and interrogate conventional ones—with a general audience.
Topics span the arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, ethics and politics. Whatever the subject, speakers are urged to think outside traditional academic boundaries. Our multidisciplinary emphasis encourages dialogue not only among experts from different fields but also, and just as importantly, between specialists and the public at large.
Underlying the Einstein Forum’s programming, along with the books and articles published by our staff, is an abiding belief that thinking has a purpose besides advancing scholarly and scientific knowledge. It must provide orientation, foster curiosity, and inspire creativity. Moreover, like Albert Einstein himself, it must be committed to social responsibility. In espousing these ideals, the Einstein Forum works to restore Potsdam’s traditional role as a center of Enlightenment thought.
Requirements for the The Wittenstein Foundation/Einstein Forum Fellowship
- Candidates must be under 35 and hold a university degree in the humanities, in the social sciences, or in the natural sciences.
- Applications for 2023 should include a CV, a two-page project proposal, and two letters of recommendation.
At the end of the fellowship period, the fellow will be expected to present his or her project in a public lecture at the Einstein Forum and at the Wittenstein Foundation. The Einstein Fellowship is not intended for applicants who wish to complete an academic study they have already begun.
A successful application must demonstrate the quality, originality, and feasibility of the proposed project, as well as the superior intellectual development of the applicant. It is not relevant whether the applicant has begun working toward, or currently holds, a PhD. The proposed project need not be entirely completed during the time of the fellowship, but can be the beginning of a longer project.
Benefits
The fellowship includes living accommodations for five to six months in the garden cottage of Einstein`s own summerhouse in Caputh, Brandenburg, only a short distance away from the universities and academic institutions of Potsdam and Berlin.
The fellow will receive a stipend of EUR 10,000 and reimbursement of travel expenses
Application Deadline: May 15, 2022.
