Kohli Fellows hosted at the EUI become part of the renowned Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies, one of Europe’s most competitive and interdisciplinary postdoctoral initiatives in the social sciences and humanities. Each Kohli Fellow is affiliated with one of the EUI’s academic departments, which serves as their intellectual home and provides guidance and support throughout the fellowship period.

Fellows at the EUI are assigned a faculty mentor who offers academic supervision and career development support. Within the scope of their research project, fellows have the opportunity to conduct fieldwork, participate in internal and external training workshops, attend both national and international conferences, and organize academic events such as symposia or workshops aligned with their research interests. In addition to working on their independent projects, fellows benefit from the Max Weber Programme’s structured offerings, including professional development seminars, grant-writing support, and interdisciplinary academic events that foster interaction among fellows from across the globe.

Being a Kohli Fellow at the EUI means full integration into a dynamic scholarly community, where interdisciplinary dialogue and international perspectives are encouraged. Fellows are expected to actively contribute to the intellectual life of the institute during their residency in Florence.

Kohli Fellowship at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center

Fellows based at the WZB are welcomed into one of the world’s leading social science research institutions, known for its collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to studying pressing societal issues. Each Kohli Fellow is embedded in a specific research unit within the WZB, where they become part of a lively academic environment and engage closely with fellow researchers, including senior faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and doctoral students.

At the WZB, each fellow is assigned a dedicated contact person who provides individual support throughout the duration of the fellowship. As part of their postdoctoral development, fellows are encouraged to pursue field research relevant to their proposed projects, participate in internal seminars, attend national and international academic conferences, and organize scholarly events such as workshops or lecture series. The WZB provides a flexible and supportive framework that allows fellows to tailor their postdoctoral experience to the specific needs of their project and long-term academic goals.

Fellows are also expected to actively engage in the scholarly life of the WZB and contribute to its interdisciplinary mission. The institute offers numerous opportunities for intellectual exchange, skill development, and exposure to international academic networks.

Eligibility and Application Process

The Kohli Fellowship for Sociology is open to scholars of all nationalities whose research aligns with the academic focus of the host institutions. While proposals that engage with topics related to the life course and generational change are particularly encouraged, projects from across the spectrum of sociological inquiry will be considered.

Eligible applicants must have defended their doctoral dissertation and been awarded a PhD no more than three years before the starting date of the fellowship. The doctorate must be completed before the beginning of the fellowship contract.

Applications must include the following materials:

• • A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
  • A statement outlining the applicant’s academic trajectory and career goals (“Academic Career Statement”)

• • A detailed research proposal for the postdoctoral project

• Names and contact details of two to three academic referees
• At least two letters of academic reference

Selection and Appointment

Fellows are selected in close cooperation with the academic host institutions. Evaluation is based on scholarly excellence, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, and an interview, which may take place in person or via video conference. Only one Kohli Fellowship is awarded each year.

Selected fellows are expected to reside in either Berlin or Florence for the duration of the fellowship and to participate actively in the academic life of their respective host institution. The Kohli Foundation for Sociology strongly encourages applications from women and individuals from academically underrepresented backgrounds.

Important Dates (WZB Track)

• Application Deadline: November 16, 2025
• Interviews & Selection: Winter 2025/2026
• Fellowship Start Date: October 1, 2026