Einstein Guest Researcher (Wissenschaftsfreiheit)

The Einstein Guest Researcher (Wissenschaftsfreiheit) is a fellowship programme that enables researchers who are threatened in crisis regions or restricted in their home countries to work in Berlin for up to two years. It offers two programme variants, "Immediate support" (short-term stipend support for those still abroad) and "Advanced support" (positions or funding for researchers already in Germany) and targets researchers with a doctoral degree. The programme places fellows at one of the eligible Berlin universities or the Charité and requires a hosting unit or professor to act as sponsor.

Monthly stipend (Immediate support) up to EUR 2,100; one-off consumables up to EUR 5,000; or a funded position (typically TV-L 13) and project funds up to EUR 30,000 (Advanced support).

Applications must be submitted by one of the five eligible Berlin institutions (Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Universität der Künste Berlin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin). The fellowship targets promoted (doctoral) researchers who are threatened or face restrictions in their home country; EU/EEA/Swiss and German citizens and certain domestic applicants are excluded.

Only eligible Berlin host institutions may submit applications. A support letter from the hosting unit/group leader/professor is required and a demonstration of the applicant's threat or restriction of academic freedom is expected; external verification (e.g. Scholars at Risk listing) is advantageous.