The University of Potsdam in Germany, in partnership with the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung’s International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies (IRGAC), has announced up to three fully funded postdoctoral fellowships for 2026 under the theme “Rethinking Empire: War, Coloniality, and New Internationalism.”
This competitive international fellowship is designed for postdoctoral scholars from the Global South who are conducting critical research on imperialism, authoritarian governance, war, colonial legacies, and emerging global power configurations. The programme offers an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration while based at a leading German research institution.
The 20-month fellowship will run from May 2026 to December 2027 and combines independent research with collective academic engagement, workshops, and international scholarly exchange.
Fellowship Details
The “Rethinking Empire” Postdoctoral Fellowship is hosted at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Potsdam. Fellows will work closely with the International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies (IRGAC), contributing to collaborative discussions, thematic workshops, and joint publications.
The programme focuses on critical analyses of:
Imperial formations and global hierarchies
War and geopolitical restructuring
Coloniality and postcolonial power dynamics
Authoritarianism and counter-strategies
New forms of internationalism and transnational solidarity
Selected fellows are expected to pursue their own research projects aligned with the fellowship’s overarching themes while actively participating in the group’s academic activities.
Although the fellowship begins in May 2026, fellows are expected to be physically present in Potsdam from October 2026 onward to support in-person collaboration and institutional engagement.
Funding Benefits
The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support to enable full-time research in Germany. Selected fellows will receive:
Tax-free monthly scholarship of €2,650
Monthly travel allowance of €100
Health insurance support in Germany
Potential additional funding for fellows accompanied by spouse or children
Access to workshops, conferences, and international research networks
Opportunities for collaborative publishing and interdisciplinary engagement
Institutional affiliation at the University of Potsdam
The funding structure is designed to support scholars in dedicating themselves fully to research and academic exchange without financial constraints.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is specifically intended for scholars from the Global South. To be eligible, applicants must:
Be citizens of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or Eastern Europe (non-EU countries)
Hold a PhD degree completed within the last eight years at the time of application
Demonstrate a strong record of research and publication relevant to imperialism, coloniality, authoritarianism, war, or global political transformation
Possess strong English language proficiency, as English is the working language of the programme
Submit a research proposal aligned with the fellowship’s critical and interdisciplinary focus
The programme particularly encourages applications from scholar-activists and interdisciplinary researchers working in fields such as political science, sociology, history, cultural studies, geography, and related disciplines.
Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their proposed research contributes to the broader thematic framework of “Rethinking Empire.”
Required Documents
Applicants are expected to prepare and submit:
Completed application form through the official IRGAC portal
Research proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and relevance to the fellowship theme
Curriculum Vitae detailing academic background and publications
Copy of PhD certificate
List of publications
Proof of citizenship
Any additional documents specified in the official call
All materials must be submitted within the stated application window and in accordance with the programme’s official guidelines.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Rethinking Empire Postdoctoral Fellowships must be submitted by 10 March 2026. Depending on portal processing times, final submissions may be accepted until 14 March 2026 at 22:45 UTC.
Applicants are advised to complete their submissions well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Selected candidates will be notified by late March 2026. The fellowship officially commences on 1 May 2026.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their complete application through the official IRGAC call for applications webpage.
Apply: https://irgac.org/calls/rethinking-empire/
Applicants should carefully review the thematic scope, eligibility requirements, and documentation guidelines before submission. Strong proposals will clearly articulate theoretical grounding, methodological approach, and relevance to contemporary debates on empire, war, and global power dynamics.
