The 2026–2027 Digital Humanism Fellowship offered by the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna is now open for applications. This prestigious fully funded junior visiting fellowship is part of the Institute’s larger Digital Humanism Program, a research initiative that examines the evolving relationship between technology and humanity. The fellowship is designed for doctoral candidates and early-career postdoctoral researchers who wish to explore how digitalization intersects with social, political, economic, and cultural developments.
This opportunity supports interdisciplinary research on the challenges of the digital age, providing fellows with the intellectual space, resources, and community needed to advance cutting-edge work on Digital Humanism.
About the Digital Humanism Program
The Digital Humanism Program is a flagship research initiative at IWM, established in cooperation with Hannes Werthner—one of the leading figures behind the Vienna Manifesto on Digital Humanism. The program aims to describe, analyze, and influence the complex interplay between technology and humankind, emphasizing the need for technological developments that respect human rights, social wellbeing, and democratic values.
The program addresses critical global issues such as:
- The rise of algorithmic governance
- The role of artificial intelligence in society and popular culture
- The pervasiveness of digital devices in everyday life
- The societal, economic, and geopolitical implications of digitalization
The fellowship invites Senior and Junior Visiting Fellows to Vienna, where they collaborate on interdisciplinary research, organize public lectures, and contribute to broader discussions on the future of humanity in the digital era.
About the 2026–2027 Digital Humanism Fellowship
The Digital Humanism Fellowship is a competitive research opportunity for scholars committed to examining the intersection of technology and society. It is open to all academic disciplines. The key requirement is that applicants focus on digitalization and its societal, economic, cultural, or geopolitical dimensions, rather than the traditional Digital Humanities approach.
The fellowship is not intended for projects that simply use digital tools for humanities research. Instead, it is aimed at research that seeks to influence how society understands and responds to technological change.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Digital Humanism Junior Visiting Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a doctoral program or have obtained a PhD no earlier than 20 January 2022
- Submit only one fellowship application per academic year
- NOT be past recipients of an IWM resident fellowship within the last two academic years
- NOT reapply to the same fellowship program if previously selected as a fellow
The call is open to all disciplines as long as the proposed project aligns with Digital Humanism and the research themes of the IWM.
All application materials must be submitted in English.
Fellowship Conditions and Benefits
Selected candidates will:
- Spend three consecutive months at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna
- Undertake research between September and December 2026
- Conduct their fellowship period alongside the Senior Digital Humanism Visiting Fellow
Financial Support:
- Postdoctoral fellows (PhD already defended): EUR 3,300 per month
- Doctoral candidates: EUR 2,750 per month
Note: Fellows are responsible for covering all their living expenses, including:
Accommodation, travel, health insurance, local transport, utilities, and research-related costs (e.g. literature, conference fees).
Institutional Support:
Fellows receive access to:
- Office space
- Internet and research facilities
- Administrative support
- Full participation in academic activities at IWM
Fellowships start on the first day of the month and end on the last day.
Program Details
- Location: Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna, Austria
- Duration: 3 months
- Period: Between September and December 2026
- Discipline Eligibility: All disciplines (as long as the research connects to Digital Humanism)
- Funding Type: Fully funded stipend
- Program Type: Junior Visiting Fellowship
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online application form. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants must prepare the following materials:
1. Letter of Motivation
Should explain:
- How the project will benefit from time at IWM
- Connections to IWM’s mission and research focus
- Specific research and writing goals for the fellowship
2. Project Description (max. 550 characters)
A brief summary of the research project.
3. Detailed Project Proposal (max. 7,500 characters)
Must include:
a) Research objectives
b) Current state of research
c) Methodology
d) Work plan
4. Curriculum Vitae
Including publication list.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation
- Must come from scholars familiar with your academic work
- Must be submitted directly by the recommenders
- Recommenders receive a link automatically after you submit your application
Important Submission Instructions
- All documents must be in one single PDF file
- File names must use Latin characters only
Application Portal
Apply here
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, 20 January 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Decision Notification: By 30 April 2026
- Fellowship period: September–December 2026
Applicants should note that the jury does not provide individual feedback and is not required to justify its selection decisions.
The Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026–2027 at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna, offers a rare and valuable opportunity for emerging scholars to engage deeply with the social, political, and cultural challenges of digitalization. With full institutional support, a generous stipend, and access to a vibrant intellectual community, this fellowship is ideal for doctoral candidates and early-career researchers committed to shaping the future of human-centered technology.
This prestigious fellowship stands at the crossroads of technology, society, ethics, and global development, making it a key opportunity for researchers interested in Digital Humanism and interdisciplinary innovation.
