The South Asia Institute (SAI) of Heidelberg University and the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies Delhi jointly offer one fellowship a year to young researchers from South Asia who want to build a research collaboration with SAI.
The fellow spends up to three months in Heidelberg in summer 2027, starting between April and June, and turns a project set out in the application into a third-party funding bid for research, exchange or event funding.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly scholarship of EUR 1,200
- Rent paid
- International travel reimbursed up to EUR 1,500
- Visa help from the SAI Delhi office if needed
- Duties: develop the project into a third-party funding application and take an active part in SAI academic events
Eligibility
- Researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh
- Doctorate completed: the certificate must be in hand by the application deadline
- All documents in English
- Fields of particular interest (a preference, not a bar): ethnology, history, political science, economics, geography, modern South Asian languages and literatures, and Classical Indology
Application process
- 1Complete the online form on the Max Weber Foundation portal; emailed applications are not considered.
- 2Upload one PDF: one-page cover letter, two-page CV with up to ten top publications, doctoral certificate, project description on the official template, and the names of two referees; a reference letter from an SAI member is optional.
- 3Submit by 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
Program timeline
Application deadline
1 December 2026, 23:59 CET (the FAQ says CEST)
Selection and results by email
By end of 2026 (call page) / by January 2027 (FAQ)
Fellowship starts, for up to three months
April–June 2027