Finding Scholarships

Overview

Programme Description

Are you researching the social, political, media-related or cultural effects of digitalisation? Do you want more freedom for your project and are interested in interdisciplinary exchange? A fellowship at CAIS releases you from your regular work obligations and offers many opportunities for stimulating discussions. Fellows spend either six or three months in Bochum. During this period, CAIS finances their leave from work through compensation or grants. Individual offices and meeting rooms with modern facilities provide optimal working conditions. Fellows live rent-free in comfortable apartments located a short tram ride from CAIS.
Fellows are members of the vibrant interdisciplinary research community at CAIS and of an international network of alumni, working groups, and affiliates. Regular joint activities foster academic and social exchange at the Center.
Fellowships of six months usually start in October or April. Fellowships of three months can start in October, January, April, or July. Exceptions are possible after consultation.

Target Group

CAIS College funds innovative projects that deal with the social opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, and develop perspectives for practice. The funding programme is open to excellent scholars and practitioners, to all disciplines and areas of investigation, as well as to pure research and to projects that are more applied in orientation.

Academic Requirements

An academic degree is not required, if applicants are highly distinguished within their peer group. Master's theses or PhD dissertations cannot be funded.

Number of Scholarships

18

Duration

3 or 6 months

Scholarship Value

Fellows at CAIS should ideally be on sabbatical leave with a full salary. In that case, they will receive an additional grant of 600 EUR per month. Alternatively, reimbursement for the costs of their salary or of a substitute can be paid within reasonable limits.
Fellows with no regular income will receive a grant of 2,000 EUR per month. Fellows with a regular income below 1,400 EUR will be given a grant that covers the difference to the full grant.
Fellows with a full or compensatory grant receive an additional payment of 100 EUR per month for each child under the age of 18.
In Germany, full and compensatory grants are not subject to social security contributions and are usually tax-exempt. The Fellows are responsible for checking whether they qualify for tax exemption, especially if they reside abroad.
Fellows are provided with individual offices at CAIS and rent-free, fully furnished two-room apartments that are suitable for two adults and one infant. For fellows arriving with more than one underage child we can also provide bigger apartments. In addition, CAIS will cover travel expenses for one return-trip to Bochum. Alternatively, CAIS can cover the costs of a daily commute if the Fellow lives close to Bochum.
Fellows can request financial support for research expenses. They can furthermore apply to invite a Visiting Fellow with whom they wish to collaborate for up to three weeks. It is also possible to invite up to 3 experts from Europe for lectures or workshops. CAIS will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for these guests and pay them a daily allowance of 24 EUR. Fellows and alumni can apply for grants of up to 5,000 EUR for innovative measures of knowledge transfer. Further costs will not be covered by CAIS. In particular, social security contributions and insurance fees cannot be paid.

Application Papers

Fellowships are usually awarded to applicants working on individual projects. However, joint applications for collaborative projects are also possible.
Applications can be submitted in German or English via the application form on our website. An application consists of the following elements:

1. Personal data and funds requested
2. Outline of proposal (detailed requirements as to content and page length can be found on the website)
3. Request to invite a Visiting Fellow or experts for presentations or workshops (optional)
4. Curriculum Vitae (PDF, max. 2 pages with no more than 5 publication references)
5. One relevant publication (PDF, max. 5 MB – optional)

Application Deadline

The next deadline for applications is 31 October 2024. Applicants can expect a decision by the end of March 2025.