2026 Internet and Society Fellowship in Berlin, Germany

Job Description

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The Internet and Society Fellowship 2026, hosted by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), invites researchers from around the world to participate in a six-week, in-person research programme in Berlin.

The fellowship provides an interdisciplinary space for scholars exploring the relationship between technology, society, and democratic governance, with a special focus in 2026 on Democratic Change and Knowledge.

Participants will pursue independent research while actively engaging with HIIG’s international research community through seminars, workshops, and collaborative formats.

Host Institution: Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG)
Location: Berlin, Germany
Programme Type: Research Fellowship
Format: Fully In-Person
Duration: 6 Weeks
Fellowship Dates: 1 June – 18 July 2026
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026

2026 Research Focus: Democratic Change and Knowledge

The 2026 fellowship centers on how knowledge, expertise, and scientific understanding influence democratic decision-making in increasingly digital societies.

Key research questions include:

• How declining trust in scientific expertise affects democratic institutions
• The role of institutional and legal frameworks in strengthening knowledge-based democracy
• The impact of AI-driven technologies on accountability and governance
• How expertise should inform liberal democratic practices
• Ways science can engage citizens to build trust and democratic resilience
• How societies can develop pluralistic, future-oriented knowledge systems

The theme is interdisciplinary, drawing from political science, law, sociology, and media studies.

What Fellows Will Do

During the six-week programme, fellows will:

• Conduct independent research projects
• Collaborate with HIIG researchers and fellow participants
• Present work in internal seminars, workshops, or discussion sessions
• Contribute to HIIG publications, including the Digital Society Blog
• Take part in peer-learning sessions and knowledge-exchange formats
• Join “Fellow Coffee Talks” with senior researchers and institute directors
• Participate in a mandatory one-week research sprint focused on Democratic Change and Knowledge
• Attend the Long Night of the Sciences, engaging with HIIG’s wider research community

Fellowship Structure & Support

• Duration: 6 weeks (1 June – 18 July 2026)
• Location: Berlin (in-person only)
• Extension: Fellows may extend their stay beyond the official programme period
• Funding: This is an unpaid fellowship
• Support Provided:
  • Office desk space
  • Access to HIIG’s research community
  • Support for workshops, seminars, and collaborative events

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet one of the following profiles:

Junior Fellows

• Hold a Master’s degree
• Currently pursuing or planning a PhD

Senior Fellows

• Advanced PhD candidates or postdoctoral researchers

All applicants must also demonstrate:

• Relevant research experience
• Strong alignment with the 2026 theme Democratic Change and Knowledge
• Fluency in English
• A clear and feasible research idea to pursue during the fellowship

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation Letter (1 page) outlining:
  • Research background
  • Interest in the fellowship
  • Expectations from the programme
• Research Idea Outline (maximum 1 page), including:
  • Alignment with the 2026 theme
  • Research focus during the fellowship
  • Expected outcomes or deliverables
• (Optional) One writing or research sample (English or German)

Deadline: 31 January 2026 at 11:59 PM (CET)