DEUTSCHES MUSEUM (RESEARCH INSTITUTE)
Deutsches Museum Scholar-in-Residence Program
full · phd
- €30,000 / year (post-doc)Post-doctoral stipend
- €15,000 / year (pre-doc)Pre-doctoral stipend
- 6 or 12 monthsFlexible duration
- Subsidised on-site flatAccommodation option
- Dedicated workspaceDesktop computer + telephone
- Open to all nationalitiesGlobal eligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€30k
Max amount
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
All countries (open worldwide)
Country
Deutsches Museum (Research Institute)
Provider
The Deutsches Museum Scholar-in-Residence Program funds pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to work on the history of science and technology at the museum's Research Institute in Munich, Germany. The Deutsches Museum opened in 1903 and is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world, so fellows can build projects directly on its collections and work closely with curatorial staff. The fellowship runs for a flexible 6 or 12 months. Funding is a stipend of 15,000 EUR per year for pre-doctoral researchers and 30,000 EUR per year for post-doctoral researchers, scaled to the length of the stay. Fellows receive a dedicated workspace with a desktop computer and telephone, and may rent a subsidised flat within the museum complex during the residency. Applicants must hold at least 1 university degree (a Master's or a PhD), be able to read German as a passive language, and arrange their own health insurance for the stay. Projects that use artefact-oriented methods and engage the museum's holdings are particularly encouraged. Applications are submitted by post with a CV, a 3-to-5-page project description, and two confidential references. Because the stipend rates and deadline are set each round, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and the 2026 deadline on the official Deutsches Museum page before you apply.
What's covered
- Post-doctoral stipend — A stipend of €30,000 per year for post-doctoral researchers, scaled to the length of the residency (6 or 12 months).
- Pre-doctoral stipend — A stipend of €15,000 per year for pre-doctoral researchers, scaled to the length of the residency.
- Subsidised accommodation — The option to rent a subsidised flat within the museum complex for the duration of the stay (value varies, ~€500/month (est.) below market).
- Workspace and equipment — A dedicated workspace equipped with a desktop computer and telephone at the Research Institute.
- Collections and staff access — Access to the Deutsches Museum's collections and close collaboration with curatorial and research staff.
- Health insurance (self-arranged) — Fellows arrange their own health insurance for the residency; this cost is not covered by the stipend.
How to apply
Applications are submitted by post to the Research Institute coordinator with the required documents before the annual deadline.
- Develop your project — Prepare a project that draws on the museum's collections and uses artefact-oriented approaches, ideally in consultation with museum staff.
- Prepare the documents — Assemble a completed application form, a CV, and a 3-to-5-page project description.
- Arrange references — Ask two referees to send confidential reference letters directly to the Research Institute.
- Submit by post — Send the completed application and documents to the Research Institute coordinator at the Deutsches Museum, 80306 Munich.
- Await selection — Applications are reviewed after the deadline and selected scholars are notified of their residency offer and dates.
Eligibility
QualificationAt least one university degree (Master's or PhD); pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers are both eligible.
LanguageAbility to read German (passive language skills) is required; working language for the residency may be German or English.
Project fitProjects should use the Deutsches Museum's collections and favour artefact-oriented, innovative research approaches.
InsuranceApplicants must arrange their own health insurance coverage for the period of the residency.
Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with museum staff while developing their proposals; the residency length (6 or 12 months) is agreed with the Research Institute.
Eligible countries
All countries (open worldwide)
Deadlines
2027 residency15 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed on the quality and feasibility of the research project, its fit with the museum's collections, and the artefact-oriented approach proposed. The Research Institute reviews submissions after the deadline and offers residencies to selected pre- and post-doctoral scholars.
Verified sources
- Deutsches Museum Scholar-in-Residence — official pagedeutsches-museum.deofficial
About the provider
The Deutsches Museum in Munich, founded in 1903, is one of the world's largest museums of science and technology, with extensive collections and a Research Institute that supports scholarship in the history of science, technology, and material culture.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Deutsches Museum Scholar-in-Residence Program?
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It is a funded research residency at the Deutsches Museum in Munich for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral scholars working on the history of science and technology.
How much is the stipend?
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€15,000 per year for pre-doctoral researchers and €30,000 per year for post-doctoral researchers, scaled to the length of the stay.
How long is the residency?
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Six or twelve months, agreed individually with the Research Institute.
Who is eligible?
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Researchers of any nationality who hold at least one university degree (Master's or PhD) and can read German.
Do I need to speak German?
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You must be able to read German (passive skills); the working language during the residency may be German or English.
Is accommodation provided?
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Fellows may rent a subsidised flat within the museum complex for the duration of the residency.
Is health insurance covered?
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No. Fellows must arrange and pay for their own health insurance during the stay.
Where is the residency based?
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At the Deutsches Museum Research Institute in Munich, Germany.
What documents do I need?
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A completed application form, a CV, a 3-to-5-page project description, and two confidential reference letters.
How do I submit my application?
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By post to the Research Institute coordinator at the Deutsches Museum, 80306 Munich; referees send references directly.
When is the deadline?
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Applications typically close on 15 October; confirm the exact 2026 date on the official Deutsches Museum page.
What kind of project should I propose?
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A project that draws on the museum's collections and uses artefact-oriented, innovative research approaches.