The Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027 offers a three-month research fellowship in Germany for young scholars from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Fellows receive a €1,200 monthly scholarship, up to €1,500 for international travel and rental-cost support.
The Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027 is inviting applications from young researchers from selected South Asian countries for a short-term research fellowship at the South Asia Institute (SAI), Heidelberg University, Germany.
The joint scholarship programme is organised by the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, in cooperation with the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies in Delhi (MWF Delhi). The fellowship is designed to help early-career researchers establish or strengthen research collaboration with SAI and develop a defined research project into a future third-party funding application.
The fellowship will take place in Heidelberg during summer 2027 and will run for up to three months.
Host Institution: South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University
Partner Institution: Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies, Delhi
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Fellowship Duration: Up to 3 months
Start Period: April–June 2027
Monthly Scholarship: €1,200
Travel Support: Up to €1,500 for international travel
Other Support: Rental costs
Eligible Countries: India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Application Deadline: 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET
Application Method: Online application portal
What Is the Heidelberg University Research Fellowship?
The programme provides a temporary research stay at the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg for young scholars from South Asia who want to develop a research collaboration with researchers at SAI.
During the fellowship, the selected scholar is expected to work on a project that was already outlined in the application. A key objective is to develop this project into a third-party funding application, which may seek research funding or support for academic exchange and event programmes.
Fellows are also expected to participate actively in scientific and academic activities at the South Asia Institute throughout their stay.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is specifically intended for young researchers from South Asia.
Applicants must be from one of the following countries:
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
Applicants must have a research profile relevant to the programme and seek to establish or develop collaboration with the South Asia Institute at Heidelberg University.
The announcement particularly highlights applications in several academic disciplines.
Eligible Research Areas
Applications are particularly welcomed from researchers working in:
- Ethnology
- History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
- Modern Languages and Literatures of South Asia
- Cultural and Religious History of South Asia, including Classical Indology
The fellowship is therefore suited to researchers whose work has a substantive connection to South Asia and whose proposed project can benefit from collaboration with scholars and research structures at SAI.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear research purpose rather than treating the fellowship simply as an opportunity to travel or visit Germany.
Heidelberg University Scholarship Benefits
The Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027 provides several forms of financial assistance during the research stay.
€1,200 Monthly Scholarship
Successful fellows receive a monthly scholarship instalment of €1,200 during the fellowship.
This support is intended to help cover expenses associated with the research stay in Heidelberg.
International Travel Support
The programme provides reimbursement of international travel expenses of up to €1,500.
This can help cover the cost of travelling between the fellow’s home country and Germany, subject to the programme’s applicable arrangements.
Rental Costs
The fellowship also includes payment of rental costs, providing additional assistance with accommodation during the period in Heidelberg.
Visa Assistance
The SAI Delhi office will provide assistance with visa applications where necessary, which can be particularly useful for selected researchers preparing for an international research stay.
Fellowship Duration and Start Date
The fellowship lasts for up to three months.
The research stay is scheduled to begin between April and June 2027, with Heidelberg serving as the fellow’s place of residence during the fellowship.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to spend the full research period in Germany and actively participate in the academic environment at the South Asia Institute.
What Will Fellows Do During the Fellowship?
The programme is more than a conventional visiting scholarship. Fellows are expected to use their time at Heidelberg to develop a previously defined research project.
The project should ultimately be developed into a third-party funding application.
Depending on the researcher’s objectives, this may involve preparing an application for:
- Research funding
- Academic exchange programmes
- Research-related events
- Other collaborative activities
Fellows are also expected to participate in scientific events organised at the South Asia Institute, creating opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers and contribute to the institute’s academic community.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must complete the online application and upload their supporting documents as one single PDF.
The application package must contain the following:
1. Short Cover Letter
A cover letter of no more than one page should introduce the candidate and explain their interest in the fellowship.
2. Curriculum Vitae
Applicants should provide a CV of no more than two pages, including their top ten publications.
3. Doctoral Certificate
A copy of the applicant’s doctoral certificate must be included.
4. Project Description
Applicants must download and complete the programme’s prescribed project-description template and include it with the application.
This component is particularly important because the fellowship is centred on developing a defined project during the research stay.
5. Referee Information
Applicants must provide the names of two referees who may later be contacted for additional information.
6. Letter of Reference from an SAI Member
A letter of reference from a member of the South Asia Institute is listed as optional.
Applicants with an appropriate academic connection to SAI may therefore consider obtaining such support where possible.
How to Apply for the Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027
Applications must be submitted through the official online application portal.
The university specifically states that applications sent by email will not be considered.
Candidates should therefore prepare the full application package in advance, combine the required documents into one PDF and submit the completed application through the designated portal.
The official application page should be used for the final submission:
Apply Online: Heidelberg University / SAI Scholarship Application Portal
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is:
1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET
The selection process is expected to take place by the end of 2026.
Because the programme does not accept applications submitted by email, prospective applicants should allow enough time to complete the online form and upload the required PDF before the deadline.
How to Prepare a Competitive Application
Applicants should make sure the proposed research project fits the programme’s central purpose: building meaningful research collaboration between the scholar and the South Asia Institute.
A strong application should clearly explain the research question, methodology, expected contribution and why Heidelberg is an appropriate environment for the proposed work.
It is also useful to demonstrate how the fellowship could lead to a future research funding application, academic collaboration or exchange initiative.
The CV should highlight relevant research achievements and publications, while the cover letter should explain why the applicant and project are a strong fit for SAI.
Most importantly, candidates should avoid submitting a generic research proposal that could be used for any institution. The programme specifically seeks researchers interested in establishing and developing collaboration with the South Asia Institute.
Why This Fellowship Is Valuable for Researchers
A three-month research stay at Heidelberg University can provide more than financial support. The programme offers an opportunity to develop academic networks, exchange ideas with researchers in Germany and transform an existing research concept into a potential externally funded project.
For scholars from South Asia, the fellowship can therefore serve as a bridge between an existing research programme and broader international collaboration.
The combination of a monthly stipend, travel support and accommodation assistance also makes the fellowship a substantial short-term research opportunity in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries are eligible for the Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027?
The programme is open to young researchers from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts for up to three months and is scheduled to begin between April and June 2027.
How much is the monthly scholarship?
Successful fellows receive €1,200 per month.
Is travel funding available?
Yes. International travel expenses of up to €1,500 are reimbursed.
Does the fellowship provide accommodation support?
Yes. The fellowship includes payment of rental costs during the stay.
Is a PhD required?
The application package requires applicants to provide a copy of their doctoral certificate, indicating that doctoral completion is a requirement for this call.
Can I apply by email?
No. The official announcement states that applications sent by email will not be considered. Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Final Takeaway
The Heidelberg University Scholarship 2027 is a focused research fellowship for young scholars from five South Asian countries who want to spend up to three months at the South Asia Institute in Germany.
With a €1,200 monthly scholarship, up to €1,500 in international travel support and rental-cost coverage, the fellowship can help researchers concentrate on developing an ambitious research project while building connections with an established academic institute.
The programme places particular emphasis on future collaboration and the development of projects into third-party funding proposals. Researchers in South Asian studies and related disciplines should therefore pay close attention to the research fit with SAI when preparing their application.
Official Source: South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University
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