CEES Fellowship Program 2027 | University of Zurich Residential Fellowship | Switzerland 🇨🇭

The CEES Fellowship Program 2027 at the University of Zurich offers an opportunity for highly talented and innovative young and mid-career scholars in the social sciences and humanities to undertake independent research in Zurich, Switzerland.

For the Spring Semester 2027, the Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) will select 5–6 residential fellows for a fellowship of up to four months, beginning in mid-February 2027.

The CEES Fellowship 2027 is particularly interested in scholars researching geopolitical trends, economic connectivity, and transnational social or cultural issues related to the South Caucasus region. Applications are open to eligible scholars whose research focuses on Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, or Central Asia.

Application deadline: October 12, 2026.

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About the CEES Fellowship Program

The Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) at the University of Zurich hosts an interdisciplinary fellowship program for scholars working on historical or contemporary topics connected to Eastern Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia.

The CEES Fellowship Program is normally structured as a four-month residential fellowship during one academic semester. Selected fellows are expected to live in residence and focus on their independent research while becoming actively involved in the scholarly activities of CEES.

The program provides fellows with access to relevant academic libraries and an interdisciplinary community of experts associated with CEES.

During the fellowship, the selected scholar will also give a workshop presentation about their research and is expected to publish their findings through one of the CEES publication outlets.

CEES Fellowship 2027 Opportunity Overview

The CEES Fellowship 2027 is designed for talented researchers who want dedicated time and an academic environment in which to advance their research.

Key details include:

• Fellowship: CEES Fellowship Program
• Institution: Center for Eastern European Studies, University of Zurich
• Location: Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
• Number of fellows: 5–6
• Duration: Up to four months
• Start: Mid-February 2027
• Field: Social sciences and humanities
• Research focus: Russia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
• Special interest for Spring 2027: South Caucasus
• Deadline: October 12, 2026
• Application language: English
• Application format: Single PDF document

Who Is Suitable for the CEES Fellowship?

The CEES Fellowship Program is intended for highly talented and innovative young or mid-career scholars working in the social sciences or humanities.

Applicants should have a research focus connected to historical or contemporary issues concerning:

• Russia
• Eastern Europe
• The Caucasus
• Central Asia
• Post-Soviet Eurasia
• South Caucasus geopolitical developments
• Economic connectivity
• Transnational social issues
• Transnational cultural issues

For the Spring Semester 2027, CEES has indicated particular interest in researchers studying the South Caucasus, especially where their work addresses geopolitical trends, economic connectivity, or transnational social and cultural issues.

Importantly, applicants must be enrolled or employed at their home university.

Research Areas for the CEES Fellowship 2027

The CEES Fellowship 2027 welcomes research proposals across topics related to Eastern Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia.

While applications on all relevant topics are welcomed, the Spring 2027 call gives particular attention to research connected to the South Caucasus region.

This makes the fellowship potentially relevant to researchers examining political developments, regional relationships, economic networks, cross-border connections, social transformations, cultural interactions, and other historical or contemporary issues in the region.

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

The CEES Fellowship Program provides financial and academic support during the residential fellowship.

Funding includes:

Living Expenses

The fellowship includes a stipend for living expenses during the period of stay of up to four months.

The provided information does not specify the exact stipend amount, so applicants should not assume a particular monthly payment.

Travel and Administrative Costs

Funding also covers travel and administrative costs in Switzerland, according to the fellowship announcement.

Workspace

CEES provides fellows with a workspace and other necessary facilities needed during their research stay.

Library Access

Fellows receive access to relevant libraries, supporting their independent academic research.

Academic Community

The CEES Fellow becomes part of an interdisciplinary scholarly community associated with the Center for Eastern European Studies.

Housing Assistance

CEES will assist the selected Fellow with finding housing in the Zurich area.

Required Qualifications Explained

The fellowship call identifies several important eligibility expectations.

Applicants should be:

• Young or mid-career scholars
• Highly talented and innovative researchers
• Working in the social sciences or humanities
• Conducting research related to Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus or Central Asia
• Enrolled or employed at their home university

For Spring Semester 2027, applicants whose research addresses the South Caucasus in relation to geopolitical trends, economic connectivity or transnational social and cultural issues may be particularly relevant to the program’s stated interests.

Required Experience

The announcement does not provide a specific number of years of professional or academic experience.

Instead, the CEES Fellowship Program describes its target applicants as young or mid-career scholars. Applicants should therefore demonstrate a strong academic profile and a clearly developed research project.

A curriculum vitae containing a list of publications is specifically required.

Application Requirements for CEES Fellowship 2027

A complete CEES Fellowship application must contain the following materials:

1. Letter of Motivation

Applicants must explain their motivation for applying to the CEES Fellowship Program and why the fellowship would be valuable for their research.

2. Research Proposal

A 3–5 page research proposal is required.

The proposal should clearly communicate the research project the applicant intends to pursue during the residential fellowship.

3. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit a CV including a list of publications.

The CV should present the applicant’s academic background, research experience and relevant scholarly work clearly.

4. Writing Sample

Applicants must provide a short writing sample, such as an article or book chapter-length piece.

5. CEES Presentation Proposal

Applicants must submit a short proposal for a presentation that they would give at CEES during the fellowship.

6. Recommendation Letters or Referees

Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation and/or the names of two referees.

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How to Apply for the CEES Fellowship

All application materials must be written in English.

The complete application should be combined into one PDF document.

Applicants must send the single PDF application to:

cees@isos.uzh.ch

The application must reach CEES by:

October 12, 2026.

Applicants should carefully check that every required document is included before submitting the application.

How Competitive Is the CEES Fellowship?

The CEES Fellowship Program is likely to be competitive because only 5–6 residential fellowships are being offered for Spring Semester 2027.

Applicants can strengthen their applications by presenting a focused research project, demonstrating a strong academic profile and clearly explaining why the CEES research environment is appropriate for their work.

For the Spring 2027 call, applicants whose projects directly engage with the stated areas of special interest in the South Caucasus may find that their research aligns particularly well with the call.

However, the announcement does not provide an acceptance rate or ranking statistics, so applicants should not rely on an assumed success rate.

How to Prepare a Strong CEES Fellowship CV

A strong CV for the CEES Fellowship 2027 should make it easy for reviewers to understand the applicant’s academic and research profile.

Consider clearly presenting:

• Academic qualifications
• Current university affiliation
• Research interests
• Research experience
• Publications
• Academic positions
• Relevant projects
• Conferences and presentations
• Other scholarly achievements

Because CEES specifically requests a publication list, ensure your publications are clearly organized and easy to review.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants for the CEES Fellowship Program should avoid:

• Submitting an incomplete application
• Forgetting the 3–5 page research proposal
• Omitting the writing sample
• Failing to include a publication list in the CV
• Leaving out the CEES presentation proposal
• Providing fewer than two referees or recommendation letters as required
• Submitting materials in languages other than English
• Sending separate files instead of the requested single PDF
• Missing the October 12, 2026 deadline
• Failing to demonstrate how the proposed research fits CEES

Career Benefits of the CEES Fellowship

The CEES Fellowship 2027 can provide an academic environment for scholars to dedicate time to independent research while connecting with an interdisciplinary scholarly community.

During the fellowship, researchers will have the opportunity to:

• Develop their independent research
• Work in a University of Zurich research environment
• Access relevant academic libraries
• Participate in CEES scholarly activities
• Present their research at a CEES workshop
• Engage with an interdisciplinary academic community
• Work toward publishing research findings

These activities can contribute to an academic researcher’s broader scholarly development.

Similar Opportunities for Researchers

Researchers interested in the CEES Fellowship Program may also wish to monitor other residential fellowships, visiting scholar programs, postdoctoral fellowships and research opportunities in:

• Eastern European studies
• Russian and Eurasian studies
• Caucasus studies
• Central Asian studies
• Political science
• History
• Sociology
• International relations
• Cultural studies
• Regional studies

Applicants should always check each individual program’s eligibility criteria, funding and deadlines because requirements differ between fellowship programs.

Official Application Information

The CEES Fellowship Program is funded by the Department of History and supported by the University of Zurich.

For official information about the fellowship, eligibility requirements and application process, applicants should consult the CEES Fellowship Program page:

Applicants should rely on the official CEES information when preparing and submitting their applications.

Final Thoughts

The CEES Fellowship Program 2027 offers 5–6 residential fellowships to talented young and mid-career scholars in the social sciences and humanities.

With a fellowship period of up to four months beginning in mid-February 2027, the program provides scholars with research time in Zurich, access to academic resources, a workspace, participation in CEES activities and a broader interdisciplinary research environment.

The Spring 2027 call is particularly interested in research concerning geopolitical trends, economic connectivity and transnational social or cultural issues related to the South Caucasus, while proposals on other historical and contemporary topics concerning Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia are also welcomed.

If you are eligible and your research aligns with the CEES Fellowship’s objectives, prepare your application carefully and submit the complete single PDF application by October 12, 2026.