The RWTH Aachen c:o/re Fellowships 2027/28 are open for postdoctoral and senior researchers working across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences and technical fields. Fellows join the Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research in Aachen for 6–12 months starting in October 2027. The current theme is Historical Reflections on Science Studies, and applications close on 30 November 2026.
RWTH Aachen c:o/re Fellowships 2027/28: Current Status
| Program | Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research (c:o/re) Fellowships 2027/28 |
|---|---|
| Host | RWTH Aachen University |
| Location | Aachen, Germany |
| Status | OPEN |
| Career stage | Postdoctoral / junior fellows through senior researchers |
| Fellowship start | October 2027 |
| Duration | Minimum 6 months; maximum 12 months |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Expected results | By the end of March or, at the latest, early April 2027 |
| Last verified | 6 October 2026 |
What Is the RWTH c:o/re Fellowship?
The Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research is an international Center for Advanced Studies at RWTH Aachen University. It links philosophy, sociology and history of science with Science and Technology Studies (STS) while also building dialogue with natural, life, engineering and technical sciences.
The Center is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. It offers up to ten fellowships annually to junior and senior researchers whose projects contribute to the Center’s research program.
Port to Europe vs c:o/re
| Program | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Port to Europe Postdoc Fellowship | 2025 call closed; 24-month employment-style postdoc route, with no new cycle currently verified |
| c:o/re Fellowships 2027/28 | OPEN; separate 6–12 month residential fellowship for postdoctoral through senior researchers |
2027/28 Theme: Historical Reflections on Science Studies
For the 2027/28 cohort, c:o/re is centering its fellowship program on Historical Reflections on Science Studies. Successful proposals should make a clear, original contribution to this research agenda.
| Theme 1 | Historical reflections on the philosophy, sociology and history of science and technology |
|---|---|
| Theme 2 | Historical reflections on Science and Technology Studies |
| Theme 3 | Histories of related fields influencing science studies, including areas such as Gestalt theory, behaviorism and precursors of artificial intelligence |
| Theme 4 | Methodological approaches and challenges for historical reflection on science studies |
The Center welcomes researchers from humanities and social sciences as well as natural, life and technical sciences, but the proposal must show a convincing connection to the c:o/re research program rather than simply being a strong disciplinary project.
Eligibility Requirements
| Junior / postdoctoral applicants | Must have a fully completed PhD by the time of application |
|---|---|
| PhD certificate | Required in the application portal; certified English translation needed if the certificate uses non-Latin script |
| Senior applicants | Normally expected to hold a professorship or comparable senior academic position, such as full / associate professor or senior lecturer |
| Nationality | Open to all nationalities |
| Current university affiliation | No country-based restriction; researchers based at German or international institutions may apply |
| Disciplinary scope | Humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences and technical / engineering fields where the project fits the c:o/re agenda |
| Interdisciplinary outlook | Advantageous |
| Teaching experience | Not required |
Funding and Fellowship Benefits
RWTH does not publish one universal monthly stipend for every c:o/re fellow. Financial arrangements depend on the fellow’s professional level and existing income situation and are negotiated after selection.
| Unpaid leave from home institution | Monthly stipend commensurate with professional experience plus a monthly housing allowance |
|---|---|
| Sabbatical arrangement | Monthly allowance intended to support living and housing expenses |
| Continued salary from home institution | c:o/re may fund a teaching replacement at the fellow’s home institution |
| Workspace | Fully equipped shared office space |
| Research support | Administrative and IT support, library services and access to interdisciplinary research environments and selected RWTH research labs |
| Housing | Center and RWTH Welcome Service can assist with the search, but fellows rent accommodation themselves |
Residency Requirement
Fellows are expected to live in Germany—preferably Aachen or the surrounding area—and to be regularly present at the Center. Participation in weekly events is mandatory. The fellowship is not designed to fund extended archival or field-research trips away from Aachen.
Required Application Documents
The application must be prepared in English and submitted through the online platform.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Motivation / cover letter | 1 page |
| Curriculum vitae | Academic CV |
| Project proposal | Maximum 3 pages covering research question, state of the art, methodology, project outline and relation to c:o/re’s research agenda |
| Publication list | Complete or appropriately structured scholarly publication list |
| Writing sample | Journal article or book chapter in English |
| PhD certificate | Required for postdoctoral applicants; certified English translation if necessary |
| Online application form | Completed through RWTH’s application platform |
How to Apply
- Confirm that the PhD is fully completed before submission if applying at postdoctoral / junior-fellow level.
- Study the 2027/28 theme and identify how your project contributes to Historical Reflections on Science Studies.
- Prepare the one-page motivation letter.
- Prepare the maximum three-page project proposal with a clear research question, methodology, state of the art and project plan.
- Prepare the CV and publication list.
- Select an English-language writing sample.
- Prepare the PhD certificate and a certified English translation where required.
- Register on the official RWTH online application platform.
- Upload all documents as PDFs and complete the online form.
- Submit before 30 November 2026. Applications by email are not accepted.
Selection Process
The central selection criterion is the quality and originality of the research proposal and its fit with the c:o/re agenda. Applications are reviewed internally and then considered by the international scientific advisory board.
| Main criterion | Strength, originality and thematic fit of the research proposal |
|---|---|
| Interdisciplinarity | Viewed positively where it strengthens the project |
| Historical success rate | Approximately 8–10% during the Center’s first funding period (2021–2025); this is not a guaranteed rate for the 2027/28 call |
| Result notification | By the end of March or early April 2027 |
CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance
The following points are application strategy, not additional RWTH eligibility rules.
- Do not pitch a generic postdoc project: make the connection to Historical Reflections on Science Studies explicit in the opening section of the proposal.
- Use the three pages efficiently: prioritize research question, conceptual contribution, method and why c:o/re is the right intellectual setting.
- Show cross-disciplinary value: projects that connect science studies with technical, natural or life-science practice should explain what each disciplinary perspective contributes.
- Choose the writing sample strategically: select the paper or chapter that best demonstrates analytical quality and scholarly voice.
- Plan for residence in Aachen: this is not a remote fellowship or a travel-grant scheme.
- Do not quote an invented stipend figure: the financial arrangement is individualized after selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are RWTH c:o/re Fellowships 2027/28 open?
Yes. The 2027/28 c:o/re fellowship call is open, with applications due on 30 November 2026.
Who can apply?
Postdoctoral applicants must already hold a completed PhD. Senior researchers with professorial or comparable academic positions may also apply. The fellowship is open across humanities, social sciences, natural, life and technical sciences where the proposed project fits the c:o/re research agenda.
Can I apply if my PhD defence is after the deadline?
No. The PhD must be fully completed by the time the application is submitted, and the application portal requires the PhD certificate.
How long is the fellowship?
The current call offers residential fellowships for a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months, starting in October 2027.
How much is the stipend?
RWTH does not publish a single fixed stipend for all fellows. Financial arrangements depend on professional experience and whether the fellow is on unpaid leave, sabbatical or continues to receive a salary from the home institution.
Can fellows work remotely?
No. The fellowship is residential. Fellows are expected to live in Germany and be regularly present at the Center, with participation in weekly activities required.
What documents are required?
The application requires a one-page motivation letter, CV, publication list, project proposal of up to three pages, English writing sample, online application form and PhD certificate for postdoctoral applicants.
Is the old Port to Europe fellowship still open?
No. The verified Port to Europe call closed on 5 October 2025. The current live RWTH opportunity covered on this page is the separate c:o/re 2027/28 fellowship call.
Official Sources
| Current program | c:o/re Fellowships 2027/28 — OPEN |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Start | October 2027 |
| Duration | 6–12 months |
| Port to Europe | 2025 call closed |
| Last verified | 6 October 2026 |
