The South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, in cooperation with the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi (MWF Delhi), invites applications for a up to three-month fellowship for young researchers from South Asia to be spent at the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg in summer 2027.
The fellowship is intended for young researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh who wish to establish and develop a research collaboration with the South Asia Institute.
Fellowship Period
The fellowship is scheduled to begin between April and June 2027 and runs for a period of three months.
The place of residence during the fellowship will be Heidelberg, Germany.
Purpose of the Fellowship
During the stay, a research project previously defined in the application is to be taken up and developed into a third-party funding application.
The application can be aimed at acquiring:
- Research funding
- Research exchange programmes
- Academic exchange programmes
- Event programmes
Fellows are also expected to actively participate in scientific events at the South Asia Institute during their stay.
Fields of Research
Applications are particularly encouraged from researchers working in areas including:
- Ethnology
- History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
- Modern Languages and Literatures of South Asia
- Cultural and Religious History of South Asia
- Classical Indology
Fellowship Benefits
The fellowship includes:
- International travel expenses: Reimbursement of up to EUR 1,500
- Rental costs: Payment of rental costs
- Monthly scholarship: EUR 1,200 per month
- Duration: Up to three months
Eligibility
The fellowship is aimed at young researchers from:
India | Nepal | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh
Applicants should wish to establish and develop a research collaboration with the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University.
Application Documents
According to the official announcement, applicants are required to submit an online application with the following documents:
- Short cover letter – maximum 1 page
- Curriculum vitae – maximum 2 pages, including the top ten publications
- Copy of doctoral certificate
- Project description using the prescribed template
- List of two referees who may be contacted later
- Letter of Reference by an SAI member – optional
The application documents should be uploaded as a single PDF through the online application form.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Selection is expected to take place by the end of 2026.
Applications must be submitted online through the application portal. Applications sent by email cannot be considered.
Visa Support
The SAI Delhi office will provide assistance with visa applications if necessary.
Apply Online
For the latest eligibility requirements, application documents, project description template and online application form, applicants should refer to the official announcement:
Official SAI Heidelberg – Joint Scholarship Programme 2027
South Asia Institute – Heidelberg University
#SAIHeidelberg #SouthAsiaInstitute #HeidelbergUniversity #MaxWeberForum #SouthAsia #ResearchFellowship #Fellowship2027 #ResearchFunding #AcademicFellowship #YoungResearchers #ResearchOpportunity #InternationalFellowship #SouthAsianResearchers #GermanyFellowship #ResearchCollaboration #AcademicFunding #ResearchGrants #CallForApplications #PhDResearchers #PostdoctoralFellowship #HigherEducation #ResearchOpportunities #Scholarship #FellowshipOpportunity
