Through its funding initiative "Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities at Universities and Research Institutes in Germany and the USA,” the Volkswagen Foundation aims to strengthen transatlantic academic relations, especially in the field of the Humanities. In this funding initiative, the Volkswagen Foundation works closely with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York.

These postdoctoral fellowships in the humanities are jointly offered by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Volkswagen Foundation. They aim at enabling postdoctoral researchers based at academic institutions in the U.S. to spend some time conducting studies at universities or research institutes in Germany. These studies can either be undertaken at a university or research institute of the candidate’s choice or at a cooperating institute. The fellowships are usually granted for a period of 9 to up to 12 months, although in exceptional cases a funding period of 18 months is also possible.

This call addresses promising young scholars in their postdoctoral research phase currently based at institutions in the U.S., who wish to strengthen their research capacity in the humanities. Scholars who work in an interdisciplinary field are especially encouraged to apply. To be eligible, applicants should have finished their PhD after October 1st, 2012.