The Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2027 is inviting applications from outstanding early-career sociology researchers who have completed their doctoral dissertation and are looking to advance their academic careers through an international research experience.
Hosted by the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) in Germany, the fellowship provides selected researchers with funding, academic support, and opportunities to develop independent research projects within a leading European social science institution.
Fellowship Overview
Opportunity Title: Kohli Fellowship WZB 2027
Host Institution: Berlin Social Science Center (WZB)
Location: Berlin, Germany
Field: Sociology and Social Sciences
Duration: 24 months
Start Date: 1 October 2027
Monthly Stipend: €2,700 (subject to revision)
Application Deadline: 20 September 2026
About the Kohli Fellowship
The Kohli Fellowship supports talented early-career sociology researchers who demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential.
The fellowship enables researchers to:
- Conduct an independent research project
- Strengthen academic publications
- Expand international research networks
- Collaborate with scholars from around the world
The program is funded by the Kohli Foundation for Sociology and aims to promote outstanding sociological research and support the development of future academic leaders.
About the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB)
The Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) is a publicly funded research institution dedicated to problem-oriented basic social science research.
As a member of the Leibniz Association, WZB provides an interdisciplinary research environment covering areas such as:
- Sociology
- Political science
- Economics
- Law
The institution hosts approximately 200 researchers and offers access to international academic networks and research facilities.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected Kohli Fellows will receive:
- €2,700 monthly research stipend
- 24-month research stay in Berlin
- Access to an international social science research community
- Opportunities to publish research findings
- Academic networking opportunities
- Collaboration with leading researchers
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed a doctoral dissertation in sociology with excellent results
- Have completed their dissertation no more than five years before the application deadline
- Demonstrate strong research ability and academic excellence
- Submit a high-quality research proposal suitable for the fellowship period
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae including names of two referees
- Research proposal of up to 3,000 words
- Graduation certificates
- Completed application form through the official online portal
- Short statement identifying the preferred WZB research unit
Research Hosting Restrictions
Applicants should note that certain WZB research units are not available to host Kohli Fellows, including:
- Varieties of Reproduction Regimes
- Global Governance
- Global Sociology
- Transformations of Democracy
Application Process
Eligible candidates must submit their application as a single PDF document through the official fellowship application portal.
Applicants should ensure that their research proposal aligns with WZB’s academic environment and demonstrates clear potential for contribution to sociology.
Why Apply for the Kohli Fellowship?
The fellowship provides early-career researchers with an opportunity to:
- Gain international research experience
- Build academic reputation
- Develop impactful sociological research
- Connect with global scholars
- Strengthen future career opportunities in academia and research
SEO Keywords
Kohli Fellowship WZB 2027, Kohli Fellowship for Sociology, sociology research fellowship Germany, Berlin research fellowship, fully funded research fellowship Germany, early career researcher opportunities, postdoctoral sociology fellowship, social science fellowships Europe, WZB fellowship 2027, academic research opportunities Germany, international sociology fellowship, Germany research grants, Leibniz research opportunities.
