Fellowships in Democracy and Rule of Law in Europe for Early- and Mid-Career Scholars (PhD) Forum Transregionale Studien in Germany

The re:constitution Fellowship 2026/27 offers 15 fellowships for early- and mid-career scholars and practitioners passionate about democracy and the rule of law in Europe. The program is designed for residents of the EU, non-EU EEA countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Fellows will work on individual projects related to democracy and the rule of law, benefiting from Europe-wide mobility, interdisciplinary exchange, and a strong alumni network.

The fellowship is structured in two tracks: Track 1 is for scholars and practitioners, offering 8 fellowships with a 6-month full-time mobility period at two host institutions (one academic, one practical) in different countries, with a stipend of €2,500 per month. Track 2 is reserved for practitioners, offering 7 fellowships with either a 3-month full-time or 6-month part-time mobility period at one host institution, with stipends of €2,500 or €1,250 per month, respectively. All fellows participate in exchange meetings and present their research in the Online Fellow Talks series.

Eligibility requires scholars to hold or be finishing a PhD in law, political science, social sciences, philosophy, or related fields, with the PhD completed within the last 10 years or to be completed within one year. Practitioners such as government officials, legal professionals, NGO/think-tank experts, and journalists are also encouraged to apply; a PhD is not required for practitioners but relevant work experience is expected. Residency in one of the eligible countries is mandatory for the fellowship duration.

The fellowship provides independence and flexibility to research and publish on topics connected to democracy and the rule of law, funding for mobility, and opportunities for networking and professional development. Fellows are expected to attend exchange meetings, present their research, and publish their results in suitable formats. The program is coordinated by Forum Transregionale Studien and supported by Democracy Reporting International.

Applications must be submitted via the secure online platform by 5 March 2026, 12:00 CET. Required documents include a CV, project outline, short abstract, and two references. Applications by email are not accepted. For more information, consult the call for applications and FAQ.