Applications are now open for the Global Invisible University (GIU) Fellowships 2027/28 at Central European University (CEU), offering an exceptional opportunity for social sciences and humanities scholars to undertake advanced research while contributing to an innovative international academic community. The fellowship programme, organised in conjunction with the Institute for Advanced Study at CEU (IAS CEU), is designed to support researchers working on issues connected to the global challenges facing higher education, scholarship and knowledge production. Successful residential fellows will be based in Budapest and will have access to CEU’s academic, research and library resources. Applications must be submitted by 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET. Global Invisible University Fellowships 2027/28 The Global Invisible University is a strategic CEU initiative responding to challenges such as war, displacement, authoritarianism, repression, commercialisation and restricted access to knowledge. The programme brings together research, university-level teaching, mentoring and civic engagement to help create more resilient, democratic and open societies. The 2027/28 fellowship call welcomes scholars interested in becoming part of an experimental academic community where individual research is combined with innovative approaches to teaching, knowledge production and academic cooperation. Fellows will participate in weekly research seminars and thematic discussions while being encouraged to contribute their research to innovative and interdisciplinary GIU curricula. Fellowship Categories Several fellowship options are available for the 2027/28 academic year. These include: Junior Residential Core Fellowships Senior Residential Core Fellowships Residential Affiliated Fellowships Residential Fellowships for Threatened Scholars Non-residential Fellowships for Threatened Scholars Residential fellowships can be offered for periods of three, five, six or nine months, depending on the fellowship arrangement. Nine-month fellowships run from October to June, while shorter options cover the fall or spring semesters. Non-residential fellowships are exclusively available to eligible Threatened Scholars and may last between six and 12 months, covering August 2027 to July 2028. Research Themes Applicants are expected to connect their research to at least one of the Global Invisible University’s key thematic areas. These include: Democratization, de-democratization and re-democratization History, memory, culture wars and nationalist or transnationalist discourses Political economy and global inequalities Human rights and justice in international and comparative law The crisis of multilateralism and global or regional institutions Climate justice, natural resources and the politics of the Anthropocene Media networks, information warfare and securitization Epistemological challenges facing the social sciences in the digital age Interdisciplinary research proposals are particularly encouraged, and applicants from disciplines falling within these thematic areas are welcome to apply. Fellowship Benefits The financial support depends on the fellowship category. Senior residential fellows receive a net monthly stipend of €2,600, while junior residential fellows receive €1,500 net per month to help support their stay in Budapest. Residential fellows and their families also receive housing at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse in Budapest’s Castle District. Utilities are charged to fellows. Threatened Scholars who receive non-residential fellowships receive a net monthly stipend of €1,000, together with an allowance for travel and short-term stays at CEU and participation in relevant academic activities. Residential fellows are responsible for their own travel and healthcare arrangements. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification in the social sciences or humanities at the time of application. They must also have publications in internationally recognised scholarly outlets. For the Junior Fellowship, applicants must have obtained their PhD in 2018 or later. Scholars who obtained their PhD before 2018 are considered senior applicants and must apply for the Senior Fellowship. Applicants must be fluent in English, which is the working language of CEU. All nationalities are encouraged to apply. Current affiliations with CEU may affect eligibility, and former IAS CEU fellows are subject to a seven-year waiting period before reapplying. Fellowship for Threatened Scholars The programme has a dedicated category for scholars facing risks because of their academic, political or civic positions. Threatened Scholars may include researchers facing job loss, harassment, violence or legal persecution, as well as scholars from areas experiencing active military conflict that directly affects them. Applicants from Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, the Western Balkans, Central and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as Roma scholars, are particularly encouraged to apply. Those seeking this category must provide a personal statement explaining their risk and/or supporting third-party documentation. Application Requirements Applicants must prepare a single PDF file of no more than 12 MB containing their application materials. The application package should include a letter of intent, research abstract, research project description, teaching statement, CV, publication list and, for junior applicants, details of two potential referees. Threatened Scholar applicants should also include their risk statement and relevant supporting documentation. The letter of intent should explain how the applicant views academic freedom and transnational cooperation amid global threats to higher education and how they could contribute to the GIU programme. How to Apply Applications are submitted through the online GIU Fellowship Application Form. Applicants must complete the online form and upload their prepared PDF application package. The application form cannot be saved for completion later, so candidates should have all required information and documents ready before starting the submission process. The application deadline is 1 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET. Successful candidates are expected to be informed in late February 2027, while other applicants should receive notification by the end of April 2027. Final Thoughts The Global Invisible University Fellowships 2027/28 offer a distinctive opportunity for researchers in the social sciences and humanities to pursue impactful scholarship within an international academic environment. With stipends of up to €2,600 per month, accommodation for residential fellows and dedicated support for threatened scholars, the programme provides both financial and intellectual resources for researchers tackling some of the world’s most pressing academic, political, social and environmental challenges. Researchers with strong publication records and innovative proposals aligned with the GIU’s priorities are encouraged to prepare their applications early and submit them before the 1 October 2026 deadline. 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