- 1 fellow per yearAwards offered
- €10,000 stipendFunding value
- 5 to 6 monthsResidency length
- Under 35Age limit
- All disciplinesFields
- ~€1,500 travel (est.)Travel reimbursement
At a glance
full
Funding
€10k
Max amount
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Open to all nationalities
Country
Einstein Forum and Daimler and Benz Foundation
Provider
The Einstein Fellowship invites one young thinker each year to spend five to six months living and working at Albert Einstein's former summer house in Caputh, Brandenburg, near Berlin. The fellowship is run by the Einstein Forum together with the Daimler and Benz Foundation and is open to applicants from any country who are under 35 years of age. It is aimed at people who have already shown notable achievement in their field and who now wish to pursue a new project in an area different from their previous work; the proposed project must not be part of a dissertation or thesis. The award pays a stipend of EUR 10,000 over the residency, covers accommodation in the garden cottage at the Einstein Summer House, and reimburses travel to and from Germany. Only 1 fellow is selected per cycle, so the competition is decided on the originality of the proposal rather than on academic seniority. There is no TOEFL or IELTS requirement because the application itself is expected to demonstrate command of English. Because the stipend rate, residency dates, and closing date are confirmed by the Einstein Forum each year, check the exact 2026 figures and deadline on the official Einstein Forum fellowship page before you apply.
What's covered
- Residency stipend — A stipend of €10,000 (EUR 10,000) is paid across the five-to-six-month fellowship to cover living expenses.
- Accommodation — Free housing in the garden cottage at the Einstein Summer House in Caputh, Brandenburg, for the full residency.
- Travel reimbursement — Return airfare to and from Germany is reimbursed, typically around ~€1,500 (est.) depending on the fellow's home country.
- Workspace — Use of the historic property and grounds as a quiet base for the proposed project for the duration of the stay.
- Networking access — Connection to the Einstein Forum's programme of talks and events, with an estimated value of ~€1,000 (est.) in access and hosting over the residency.
How to apply
Applications are submitted by email to the Einstein Forum with a fixed set of documents in English.
- Download the application form — Obtain the official application form from the Einstein Forum fellowship page.
- Prepare your proposal — Write a two-page project proposal describing a new project in a field different from your previous work.
- Gather supporting documents — Assemble a CV and arrange two letters of recommendation, all in English.
- Complete the form — Fill out the application form in full and attach all required documents in English.
- Submit by email — Send the completed form and documents to fellowship@einsteinforum.de before the closing date.
Eligibility
AgeMust be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
QualificationMust hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences.
ProjectMust propose a project in a field different from previous research that is not part of a dissertation or thesis.
NationalityOpen to applicants of any nationality worldwide.
LanguageThe application must be in English and is expected to show command of the language; no TOEFL or IELTS is required.
The proposed project must be distinct from the applicant's existing dissertation, thesis, or main line of research. Only one fellow is selected each year.
Eligible countries
Open to all nationalities
Deadlines
2027 summer residency~15 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
A jury convened by the Einstein Forum reviews each application on the originality and feasibility of the proposed project, the candidate's record of achievement, and the willingness to move beyond an established field. Because only one fellow is chosen each year, the two-page proposal carries decisive weight, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further information before the final decision is announced.
Verified sources
- Einstein Forum Fellowshipeinsteinforum.deofficial
About the provider
The Einstein Forum is a public foundation based in Potsdam, Germany, that hosts lectures, conferences, and interdisciplinary discussion on questions of broad intellectual interest. It runs the Einstein Fellowship together with the Daimler and Benz Foundation, drawing on the legacy of Albert Einstein, whose former summer house in Caputh serves as the residence for each fellow.
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.
Who can apply for the Einstein Fellowship?
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Young thinkers of any nationality who are under 35, hold a university degree in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences, and want to pursue a new project outside their established field.
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
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One fellow is selected per cycle; confirm the current number on the official Einstein Forum page.
Where is the fellowship held?
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At Albert Einstein's former summer house in Caputh, Brandenburg, near Berlin in Germany.
How long does the fellowship last?
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The residency runs for five to six months, usually over the summer.
What is the stipend?
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The fellowship pays a stipend of EUR 10,000 over the residency; verify the exact 2026 figure on the official page.
Is accommodation provided?
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Yes. Fellows live free of charge in the garden cottage at the Einstein Summer House for the duration of the residency.
Are travel costs covered?
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Yes. Return airfare to and from Germany is reimbursed; the amount depends on the fellow's home country.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
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No. No English test is required because the application itself is expected to demonstrate command of English.
Can my project be part of my PhD thesis?
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No. The proposed project must be in a field different from your previous research and must not form part of a dissertation or thesis.
What documents do I need?
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A completed application form, a CV, a two-page project proposal, and two letters of recommendation, all in English.
How do I submit my application?
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By email to fellowship@einsteinforum.de with the form and all documents attached, before the closing date.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is around mid-May for the following year's residency; the 2026 cycle date is estimated at 15 May 2026, so confirm it on the official Einstein Forum page.