Apply for the Kohli Fellowship for Sociology, a two-year postdoctoral opportunity for early-career sociologists at WZB in Berlin or EUI in Florence.
The Kohli Fellowship for Sociology supports early-career sociologists who are developing new research projects after completing their PhD.
The fellowship provides financial support for a two-year postdoctoral stay at either the WZB in Berlin, Germany, or the European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole/Florence, Italy. Fellows can use the period to advance research, publications and academic collaborations.
Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2027 – Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Kohli Fellowship for Sociology |
| Field | Sociology |
| Level | Postdoctoral |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Host options | WZB or EUI |
| Locations | Berlin or Florence |
| Nationality | All nationalities |
| Target group | Early-career sociologists |
| PhD requirement | Doctorate held no longer than 5 years before start |
| Selection | Research proposal, scholarly excellence and interview |
| Fellows selected | 1 per year |
What Is the Kohli Fellowship?
The fellowship is part of the Kohli Foundation for Sociology’s Growth programme, which supports early-career sociologists who are pursuing a PhD or have completed their PhD within the previous five years.
The fellowship is intended to provide time and institutional support for a new research project, publication development and research collaborations.
Kohli Fellowship at EUI
At the European University Institute, the Kohli Fellow joins the Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies.
The fellow is appointed to an EUI faculty member as an advisor and can work on an independent research project. The programme also provides opportunities for fieldwork, training, conferences and workshops, while connecting the fellow with other postdoctoral researchers.
The source lists the EUI timeline as:
- Application deadline: Fall 2027
- Interviews and selection: Winter 2027/2028
- Fellowship start: 1 September 2028
Kohli Fellowship at WZB
At the WZB in Berlin, the fellow becomes part of the host research unit and its academic community.
The fellowship provides opportunities for fieldwork, internal training seminars, national and international conferences and workshops. The Foundation also states that it aims to support fellows’ individual research and career-development needs.
For the WZB fellowship, the source lists:
- Application deadline: Fall 2026
- Interviews and selection: Winter 2026/2027
- Fellowship start: 1 October 2027
Note: The source gives the WZB deadline as “Fall 2026” rather than a specific date. Applicants should check the official call for the exact deadline.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to scholars of all nationalities whose research relates to the research programme of the relevant host institution.
Applicants must:
- Have held their doctoral degree for no longer than five years before the fellowship starts.
- Have submitted and defended their doctoral dissertation before the contract begins.
- Develop a research project suitable for the relevant host institution.
The Foundation particularly welcomes research projects focused on life-course and generational issues, although other research topics are also considered.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Academic Career Statement
- Research Proposal
- Curriculum Vitae, including publications
- Graduation certificates
- Names of two to three academic referees
Applicants are advised to obtain agreement from their referees in advance.
For the WZB application, the online form also asks applicants to identify a research unit and at least one potential collaborator and explain why the unit would be a good fit.
How Are Fellows Selected?
Selection takes place in consultation with the academic host institutions.
The Foundation states that selection is based on:
- Scholarly excellence
- The proposed research project
- An interview conducted in person or by video
Successful fellows are expected to live in Berlin or Florence and actively participate in the intellectual life of their institute.
Only one fellow is selected per year. The Foundation also particularly welcomes applications from women and scholars belonging to academically underrepresented groups.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
Opportunities Feed assessment: The fellowship has a highly selective structure because the Foundation states that it selects one fellow per year. Applicants should therefore pay particular attention to the quality of their research proposal, academic record and fit with the proposed host institution.
No acceptance rate is provided in the supplied source.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants can focus on five areas:
- Develop a clear research proposal with a well-defined research question and contribution.
- Demonstrate academic achievement through publications and relevant research experience.
- Show institutional fit by identifying an appropriate research unit and potential collaborator.
- Explain your academic trajectory clearly in the Academic Career Statement.
- Choose suitable referees who can speak meaningfully about your academic work.
Official Application Information
Applicants should consult the official Kohli Foundation page and the relevant call before applying.
Kohli Foundation for Sociology – Growth Programme
The Foundation also provides a specific Call for Applications and Funding Guidelines for the fellowship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kohli Fellowship for Sociology?
It is a postdoctoral fellowship supporting early-career sociologists through a two-year research stay at WZB or EUI.
Who is eligible?
Scholars of all nationalities can apply if their research relates to the relevant institute’s research programme and they meet the PhD timing requirement.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship provides financial support for two years.
Where is the fellowship based?
The fellowship is based at either WZB in Berlin or EUI in Fiesole/Florence.
How many fellows are selected?
The Foundation states that one fellow is selected each year.
What research topics are eligible?
The Foundation particularly welcomes life-course and generational research, but other topics are also considered.
What documents are required?
Applicants need an Academic Career Statement, research proposal, CV with publications, graduation certificates and two to three academic referees.
Final Takeaway
The Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2027 provides early-career sociologists with an opportunity to pursue postdoctoral research in Berlin or Florence while developing publications, research collaborations and their academic profile.
Applicants should carefully review the relevant WZB or EUI timeline and prepare a strong research proposal that demonstrates both academic quality and institutional fit.
SEO Keywords: Kohli Fellowship for Sociology 2027, Kohli Fellowship 2027, sociology postdoctoral fellowship, sociology postdoc Europe, WZB postdoctoral fellowship, EUI postdoctoral fellowship, sociology fellowship Germany, sociology fellowship Italy, postdoctoral research opportunities 2027, sociology fellowships for international students, early career researcher fellowship, academic fellowships Europe
