Collaborative Research Fellowships: Environmental Knowledge in Times of Crisis

Deadline

September 15, 2026

Department/Research Group

• Dept. KSCL

The Department “Knowledge Systems and Collective Life”, led by Prof. Dr. Etienne Benson at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), offers:

collaborative research fellowships (3-6 months)

on the topic of environmental knowledge in times of crisis

starting February 1, 2027, or later.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is a research institute of the Max Planck Society located in Berlin. The Department “Knowledge Systems and Collective Life” (KSCL) is one of its two current departments. Dept. KSCL uses historical and ethnographic methods to study the relationship between knowledge systems and forms of collective life. One of the main research themes of the department is “Environmental Knowledge in Times of Crisis.” Research on this theme is pursued through individual and collective projects that aim to understand interactions among environmental knowledge systems in the past and present, with a particular focus on moments of crisis.

The department’s Collaborative Research Fellowship provides an opportunity for scholars to work closely with extra-academic partners on joint research projects. For the purpose of the fellowship, “collaborative research” is defined as research that brings academic knowledge and expertise into active relationship with extra-academic forms of knowledge and expertise, with the goal of generating new knowledge that can drive meaningful change. Examples of collaborative research include but are not limited to community-engaged oral history and archiving projects, research film and audio productions, public-facing exhibitions, and jointly authored academic or extra-academic publications. Projects may be in their early stages but the fellowship is not primarily intended for project planning or grant-writing. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate an existing record of collaboration.

Eligibility:

• Proposals will only be accepted for projects based on active collaboration between an academic partner and an extra-academic partner.
• “Academic partner” is defined as someone who holds a PhD in the history of science, environmental history, science and technology studies, or another field relevant to the proposed research, and is pursuing an academic career.
• “Extra-academic partner” is defined as someone who holds knowledge and expertise relevant to the proposed research acquired in an extra-academic context, and is not pursuing an academic career.

What we offer:

• For the academic partner: A fellowship of 3-6 months at the MPIWG (including travel to Berlin and a stipend), possibly divided into two or more periods. For fellowship conditions see [https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/news-events/career/fellowship-program].
• For the extra-academic partner: One or two visiting fellowships of up to 3 months each and/or several short-term (<2 week) visits to the MPIWG (including travel to Berlin and accommodation). All fellowships and visits of both partners must take place within the same 12-month period.
• A budget of up to 3000 euros for additional research costs per project. (A budget must be submitted with application; see instructions below.)
• Access to the institute’s library, digital humanities resources, and “Skills Lab” series on research methods and career development, as well as consultation on collaborative research and access to the department’s Laboratory for Multimodal History.

What we expect from fellows:

• Active participation in the activities of Department “Knowledge Systems and Collective Life,” including the department colloquium.
• Presentation of the collaborative research project to the department.
• Completion of the proposed research output or result.
• A brief (1-page) final report.

Complete applications should include:

• A proposal jointly authored by both collaborative research partners. The proposal should include a description of the current status of the collaboration, intended research activities during the fellowship period, expected outputs or results, relationship to the “Environmental Knowledge in Times of Crisis” theme, and steps taken (or planned) to address any ethical concerns raised by the research. The proposal should also specify any intended use of MPIWG infrastructure or research-support services (e.g., library, Laboratory for Multimodal History, digital humanities resources). (Up to 1000 words including citations and footnotes.)
• Budget for additional research costs if any (up to 3000 euros). Research costs may include travel for fieldwork during the fellowship period or other costs associated directly with the collaborative research project. (1 page.)
• Timeline of research to be completed during the fellowship period, including any fieldwork/trips and the periods when academic and extra-academic partners plan to be present at the institute. (1 page.)
• CV or resume for each partner

Your application:

Please submit your application twice (each applicant in the collaborative team must submit the same application with their own identifying information) with all required documents through the specific application portal for this call:

https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/35815424

Applications must be received by September 15, 2026 (23:59 CEST). Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.

Inquiries

For any questions about the fellowship or the application process, please contact the department’s research coordinator Dr. Kerstin Hinrichsen (khinrichsen@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de).

Address

Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Boltzmannstraße 22, 14195 Berlin, Germany