GrACe

NEOLAiA Peer Network- HR Experts

GrACe — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:58:51 +0100

NEOLAiA Peer Network- HR Experts: (Mental) health in organisational and personnel development in the University environment

The NEOLAiA Peer Network "HR Experts" facilitates discussion and exchange among NEOLAiA universities and beyond on (Mental) health in the context of ... personnel development / early career development (or personnel promotion / promotion of early career researchers) organizational culture organizational development / university development working and study conditions Employees from the administrations of NEOLAiA universities from HR development, health management and psychosocial counselling centres will come together for this purpose.

You want to take part?

Are you interested in the network and would like more information or to join in? Then get in touch with us! The peer network thrives on the contributions, questions and suggestions of its members. It is therefore welcome to grow so that we can integrate new perspectives and impulses.

More information here.

Contact
Julia Burian, Health Management & Graduate and Academic Career Development Centre (GrACe): grace@uni-bielefeld.de
Janina Theismann, Health Management & Accessibility Services (ZAB): campusinbalance@uni-bielefeld.de

Apply now! Fulbright-Cottrell Award

GrACe — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:05:23 +0100

For junior faculty in chemistry, physics and astronomy at German universities/research institutes: Fulbright-Cottrell Award

Fundingbegins July 2026

Successful applicants will receive funding of €63,000 for a three-year project that integrates pioneering research with creative teaching in their respective fields. The award also includes an additional €5,000 for participation in the annual Cottrell Scholar Conference in Tucson, Arizona, as well as engagement in a transatlantic network of like-minded “teacher scholars.”

Detailed information about the award can be found here.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026

If you have any questions, please contact specialprograms@fulbright.de

Launch of the GrACe Advisory Board

GrACe — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 13:00:33 +0100

With its constitutive meeting on 19 January 2026, the GrACe Scientific Advisory Board has commenced its work. We look forward to engaging discussions and valuable input from the board members to support the strategic development of GrACe, as well as the further development and prioritization of our target-group-specific offerings.

Further information about the Scientific Advisory Board can be found here.

Contact:
Dr. Uta Walter & Dr. Jana Steffmann
grace@uni-bielefeld.de

Members of the Advisory Board and guests at the constitutive meeting (from left to right): Dr. Adrien Florio, Dr. Andrea Polzien, Prof. Dr. Frank Ziegele, Dr. Uta Walter, Dr. Denis Meuthen, Prof. Dr. Michaela Vogt, Prof. Dr. Markus Walber, Matteo Gentile, Prof. Dr. Christiane Fuchs. Not pictured: Dr. Sarah Sander and Elisabeth Schmidt.© Bielefeld University

Join FameLab Germany in 2026!

GrACe — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 12:39:51 +0100

Three minutes is enough time to make tea. But to explain scientific theories about the end of the universe? Or the functions of stem cells? In the FameLab science competition, early career reseachers have 180 seconds to explain their research topic to the audience and a top-class jury. Technically correct, entertaining and captivating. During their 3-minute talk participants may use minimal props - anything is allowed as long as they carry it on stage themselves. Every year, impressive young scientists perform on stage at the FameLab regional heats throughout Germany. The two best participants from each of the preliminary heats then take part in the FameLab Germany finals in Bielefeld, where they compete for the chance to represent Germany at the international FameLab finals.

The application phase has started! Apply now for the regional heat: March, 26, 2026

Application deadline: March, 10

More info & application: www.famelab-germany.de

Contact: famelab@wissenswerkstadt.de

The WissensWerkStadt Bielefeld looks forward to your participation!

Start of the application phase for the cross-university programme "Leadership in Science 2026/27"

GrACe — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:42:15 +0100

The 18th round of the cross-university leadership programme "Leadership in Science 2026/27 - Innovative, sustainable leadership concepts for female professors" will start on 16./ 23. October. The programme is aimed at female professors and tenure-track professors in or after interim evaluation who are employed at a university or higher education institution. The training series is organised by Bielefeld University and led by Alexandra Busch, an expert in training and coaching academics. The number of participants is limited to 12.

Interested professors are welcome to contact Franziska v. Wendorff at centre-for-professors@uni-bielefeld.de.

Further information on the programme can be found here.

GrACe | Graduate Centre Newsletter

GrACe — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:48:21 +0100

At the GrACe | Graduate Centre, we produce a quarterly newsletter with a selection of offers and calls for applications both within and outside Bielefeld University: for example on events, self-learning opportunities or academic awards.

You can subscribe here.

The Graduate Centre's offers are bundled on our homepage and the GrACe blog and our LinkedIn-Account will keep you informed about many other news.

Best wishes from the Graduate Centre

Writing Retreat for Postdocs and other Advanced Researchers

GrACe — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:42:30 +0100

The GrACe and the ZLL Writing Centre invite postdoctoral researchers and advanced researchers without tenure at Bielefeld University to join a two-day Writing Retreat.

The retreat combines focused writing time in a quiet setting with short input sessions on writing strategies and productivity, as well as opportunities for networking.

It will take place at ZiF on two dates: 9–10 February 2026 and 18–19 February 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Further information and registration are available here.

NEOLAiA RESEARCH COLLABORATION SUPPORT FUND

GrACe — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:11:20 +0100

The call is aimed at colleagues who are currently working with employees of the University of Tours.

You are a researcher at the university of Tours and have a research project with an international component involving at least one partner from the NEOLAiA alliance of European universities¹? Apply to the NEOLAiA Research Collaboration Support Fund!

1. General presentation
Launched in 2024 with the financial support of the France 2030 Plan as part of the NEOLAiA European University, this Fund aims to promote scientific collaboration and stimulate new initiatives within the alliance. It is open to researchers from the university of Tours, including doctoral students. It has a total budget of €277,000 over the 3 years of the programme (2025-2027).

Through biannual calls, the NEOLAiA Research Collaboration Support Fund aims to support initiatives such as (indicative list):

• Incoming or outgoing mobility for a maximum of one month to: initiate networking activities, prepare a project submission, organize scientific events, participate in conferences or seminars, etc. These mobilities can take place to or from NEOLAiA universities, or any other destination, provided that the mobility aims to develop collaborations with NEOLAiA partners.

• Mobilities undertaken as part of the NEOLAiA research mentoring programme (Work package 5 Increasing Regional Research Impact).

• Scientific events organised at the university of Tours and involving at least one NEOLAiA partner.

• Projects that aim to develop a 'living lab' approach by integrating research and real-world experimentation in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.

This list is not exhaustive. The selection committee will consider applications for other initiatives, provided they clearly indicate how they fall within the scope of the scheme.

2. Eligibility criteria:
The person leading the project must be an employee (permanent or contractual) and/or PhD student at the University of Tours. To be eligible, applications must involve at least one partner from the NEOLAiA alliance, in addition to the University of Tours.

3. Eligible costs:
Only operating expenses incurred by the university of Tours are eligible (non-exhaustive list):

• Eligible costs relating to mobility: transportation (economy class flights, second class train are obligatory), meals and accommodation, local transportation;

• Eligible costs relating to the organisation of an event: reception costs (coffee breaks, lunch breaks, seated dinners, cocktails); venue rental, technical equipment, translation booth rental; expenses for printing, translation, interpretation, publishing, and more.

An eco-responsible approach to project implementation is encouraged, including efforts to minimize the environmental impact of hosting events in Tours, opting for train travel over flights whenever possible for trips to NEOLAiA destination, and similar initiatives.

Personnel costs and equipment purchases are not eligible for funding.

The maximum funding available per project is €20,000.

Once the funds are awarded, the research unit or department affiliated with the project leader will manage all expenses incurred for the submitted project, including those related to the NEOLAiA partner(s) involved, and will handle the logistical organisation of the mobility or scientific events.

Expenditures must be incurred between February 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Exceptionally, expenditure may be incurred after the specified schedule (subject to the approval of the Research and Development Department).

4. Selection procedure and criteria:
Applications must include a completed form signed by the director of the applicant’s research unit and/or the thesis supervisor, if applicable. The application form must be accompanied by a provisional budget for the project.

The NEOLAiA Research Collaboration Support Fund selection committee meets twice a year and comprises a member of the research commission, the delegate(s) from the NEOLAiA WP5 research at the University of Tours, the vice-president for research, the vice-president for science with and for society and Doctoral Schools and the vice-president for international relations.

Its role is to evaluate and select the applications. The Selection Committee may request the opinion of external assessors.

To evaluate all applications, the selection committee will apply the following criteria and sub-criteria:

- QUALITY (7 points) - clarity and relevance of the objectives and scientific presentation, justification of the choice of NEOLAiA partners; consideration of an interdisciplinary approach; inclusion of the project's research themes in the 3 pillars of the alliance (diversity and inclusion, enhanced mobility, digital transformation) and the focus of the NEOLAiA project on global health.

- FEASIBILITY (7 points) - precise description of how the action will be implemented; realistic and coherent budget.

- IMPACT (6 points) - evaluation of the relevance of the action with regard to the development of research collaborations with the partners of the NEOLAiA alliance and the projected results of the research, particularly on the scale of the regions of the NEOLAiA partner universities.

Minutes will be kept of the selection committee's decisions.

5. Final activity report, financial statement and communication:
At the end of the project, the beneficiary of the NEOLAiA Research Collaboration Support Fund must submit:

- A financial statement with supporting documents for expenses,

- A final activity report, detailing the implementation and results of the action (templates provided).

to neolaia@univ-tours.fr no later than January 30, 2027.

The grant beneficiary agrees to acknowledge NEOLAiA's financial support in all communication activities related to the implementation of the funded action. The NEOLAiA logo, along with the logos 'Cofinanced by the European Union' and 'Plan France 2030,' must be displayed on all online and offline communication materials associated with the action.

6. Timeline:
Opening of the call: 3 November 2025

Deadline for submission of applications: 7 January 2026

Selection committee and announcement of laureates: mid-January 2026

Project implementation period: 1 February 2026 – 31 December 2026

Deadline for submission of final activity report: 30 January 2027

7. Contact:
Hélène Legrand, Project Manager for Research, Doctoral Cooperation and Open Science, NEOLAiA office, University of Tours neolaia@univ-tours.fr

¹ Co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme for the period 2024-2027, the NEOLAiA alliance brings together 9 European universities: Bielefeld Universität (Germany) - Universidad de Jaén (Spain) - Örebro Universitet (Sweden) - Ostravska Universita (Czech Republic) - Università degli Studi di Salerno (Italy) - Universitatea Stefan cel Mare Suceava (Romania) - University of Nicosia (Cyprus) - Siauliai Valstybiné Kolegija (Lithuania) - University of Tours (France).

NEOLAiA Visiting Researchers (NVR) Programme

GrACe — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:23:37 +0100

Call for applications and guidelines:

NVR Campaign 2025

Deadline 7th January 2026 (17:00 – CET Paris time)

“After all, science is essentially international, and it is only through lack of the historical sense that national qualities have been attributed to it.” Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Double Nobel Prize winning Polish-French scientist famed for her work on radioactivity.

PREAMBLE

About LE STUDIUM

Created in 1996, inspired by the history and cultures of the Loire Valley, the objective of LE STUDIUM Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies is to create a dynamic outwards-looking international scientific community in the Centre-Val de Loire (France) region, covering all research disciplines and involving public and private research institutions.

One of its principal missions is to attract and welcome experienced international researchers to the laboratories and companies of Centre-Val de Loire. To date, LE STUDIUM has attracted more than 340 experienced researchers to the region coming from 49 countries.

LE STUDIUM leads the scientific exchange, network activities and animation of LE STUDIUM international faculty of fellows, in order to favour cross-disciplinary exchanges with regional and international scientific communities to build human capacity for research, development and innovation.

About the University of Tours and the NEOLAiA alliance

In December 2021, the University of Tours officially joined NEOLAiA, with its motto ‘Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe', an Alliance of nine European Universities cofunded by the European Commission in its 2023 call for the period 2024-2027 (projet number: 101124794).

Some background on the European university concept ...
In 2017, the European Union affirmed its desire to encourage the emergence of networks of universities located in several European countries, enabling students to study in several countries and in several languages. These networks are also places conducive to educational innovation and research into excellence.

In practical terms, each alliance of European universities will have a common strategy for education, research and innovation, and will form a genuine European campus where mobility for all (students, teachers, staff) is facilitated.

This initiative has two major objectives:

• to promote shared values and thus strengthen the European identity;

• to boost the attractiveness and competitiveness of universities in Europe.

Today 65 alliances bring together more than 560 higher education establishments of all types in 35 countries.

NEOLAiA
NEOLAiA was created in May 2019 as a strategic collaboration between universities in Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Since then, the consortium has grown, incorporating new universities from Italy, France, Lithuania, Romania and Cyprus.

The NEOLAiA alliance now brings together 9 European universities:

• Bielefeld Universität, Germany

• Universidad de Jaén, Spain

• Örebro Universitet, Sweden

• Ostravska Universita, Czech Republic

• Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italy

• Universitatea Stefan cel Mare Suceava, Romania

• University of Nicosia, Cyprus

• Siauliai Valstybiné Kolegija, Lithania

• Université de Tours, France

What all these universities have in common is that they are relatively young, medium-sized institutions that are strongly integrated into their social and economic environment.

3 key pillars are at the heart of the NEOLAIA project:

> diversity and inclusion;

> mobility to strengthen European citizenship;

> digital transformation.

1 disciplinary focus: the challenges of Global Health

As the winner of the 2023 call for proposals of the ERASMUS+ programme, the NEOLAiA alliance received €14.4 million in funding from the European Commission, including €1.6 million for the University of Tours, for a period of 4 years. The University of Tours has also obtained additional national funding of €1.15 million from the « Plan France 2030 » operated by the French National Research Agency (ANR-23-GURE-0010).

The role of the University of Tours in the project
The University of Tours is involved in all the activities of the project, which will run from 2024 to 2027 and cover every facet of the university: teaching and research, of course, but also the establishment of common governance for the alliance, the construction of a shared policy of diversity and inclusion, the development of student and staff mobility, the development of plurilingualism, entrepreneurship, open science and digital transformation. The University of Tours has a more central role in coordinating activities in the fields of teaching (development of joint degrees, organisation of summer schools, dissemination of innovative teaching practices such as NeoTeAch), research (creation of a network of research support staff, dissemination of Living Labs), plurilingualism (organisation of a conference on language policy, drafting of a joint charter) and entrepreneurship (organisation of a summer school).

Involvement in the NEOLAiA Alliance

The University of Tours is a partner of the NEOLAiA Alliance while LE STUDIUM is an associated partner. Funding allocated by the French National Agency for Research (ANR) makes it possible for the University of Tours to set up a visiting researcher programme in order to enhance the involvement of its research units in NEOLAiA activities. Thus, in cooperation with the University of Tours, LE STUDIUM opens a dedicated Visiting Researchers Programme in order to welcome experienced researchers from NEOLAiA partner universities in a host laboratory at the University of Tours. The NEOLAiA Visiting Researchers will be integrated in the international scientific community catalyzed by LE STUDIUM in Centre-Val de Loire region across its various programmes.

CONTACT

Dr Aurélien Montagu - Scientific Manager

aurelien.montagu@lestudium-ias

fr +33 238 211 486

Further information: https://www.lestudium-ias.com/recruitment/neolaia-visiting-researchers-programme-2nd-call

KlarText Prize for Science Communication

GrACe — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 11:11:40 +0100

The KlarText Prize for Science Communication is entering the next round. Until 28 February 2026, recently graduated researchers can submit a generally understandable article or a clear infographic.

Who can take part?

Doctorate completed in 2024 or 2025 (very good rating)
Faculties: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics - including related subjects

Why take part?

Prize money: €7,500 per subject area
Visibility & quality: Revision of the articles together with science journalists or graphic designers and publication in KlarText magazine
Network: Inclusion in the Klaus Tschira Foundation's alumni network
Added value for all applicants: Access to a NaWik eLearning programme for professional science communication - regardless of placement

Submission & information: www.klartext-preis.de

The Branco Weiss Fellowship – Society in Science

GrACe — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 10:54:56 +0100

Branco Weiss, a visionary Swiss entrepreneur and advocate for science, dedicated almost his entire fortune to the advancement of exceptional postdoctoral scholars (see https://brancoweissfellowship.org). Since its launch in 2002, The Branco Weiss Fellowship has supported more than 150 fellows worldwide. A distinctive feature of the program is the freedom to choose any host institution globally that best matches the fellow’s project.

Applications are encouraged from all disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.

For further questions please contact the following email address brancoweissfellowship@ethz.ch.

Cross-university programme "Leadership in Science 2025/26" launched again

GrACe — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 10:09:36 +0100

The 17th round of the cross-university leadership programme "Leadership in Science 2025/26 - Innovative, Sustainable Leadership Concepts for Female Professors" started on 24 October. The programme is aimed at female professors and tenure-track professors in or after interim evaluation who are employed at a university or higher education institution.

12 female professors from three universities are taking part in the modular training programme for female professors to develop and expand their own leadership portfolio. The training series is organised by Bielefeld University and led by Alexandra Busch, an expert in training and coaching academics. The ten-month programme (starting in October 2026) is again planned for 2026/2027 across all universities. Interested parties can contact Franziska v. Wendorff at centre-for-professors@uni-bielefeld.de. Further information on the programme can be found here.

Take part and win! Publication of your doctoral thesis in the promotion series

GrACe — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:15:16 +0100

Submit your own doctoral thesis by 1 December 2025 at the latest, have it evaluated by a jury of experts and, with a little luck, win the free publication of your doctoral thesis in the promotion series published by Barbara Budrich!

Anyone who has completed a doctoral thesis in one of the publisher's five subject areas (Educational Science, Gender Studies, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology) within 12 months before 1 December and has not yet published it can take part. The submitted doctoral theses must also have been graded at least "magna cum laude".

Are you interested? Then you can find all the important information about participating at https://budrich.de/promotion-dissertationswettbewerb/.

If you have any questions, please contact Paula Schmieding, promotion@budrich.de.

Good luck!

Announcement of the Bertha Benz Prize 2026 for female engineers

GrACe — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:31:11 +0100

As a pioneer, Bertha Benz not only undertook the world’s first overland journey in an automobile over 130 years ago; she also supported the inventions of her husband Carl Benz in an entrepreneurial spirit and with technical expertise. To commemorate her achievements, which were quite exceptional for that time, the Foundation awards the Bertha Benz Prize once a year. In the spirit of its name-giver, it honors young female engineers with outstanding dissertations. Young female engineers who have created value added for society with the findings of their dissertations may be nominated for the Bertha Benz Prize by their scientific institutions. This award, which is endowed with €15,000, is bestowed annually and – in recognition of Bertha Benz – acknowledges pioneering spirit, courage, and visionary character.

Young female engineers who have created added value for society with the findings of their dissertations can be nominated up until March 1, 2026 at the latest.

Further information can be found here.

*For reasons of better readability, the simultaneous use of female and male language forms has been omitted. All references to persons apply to persons of all genders. The Daimler and Benz Foundation would like the form used in the Foundation's texts to be understood as gender-neutral and non-judgemental.

German Thesis Award 2026

GrACe — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:53:50 +0100

You can apply for the German Thesis Award 2026 until 11:59pm on 1 March 2026.

Knowledge of the German language is necessary in order to apply. The application essay as well as a presentation in front of the jury are in German. Additionally, participants need either to have German citizenship or to have earned their PhD from a German university to be eligible. Therefore, the following information on the application procedure can only be found in German.

Roman Herzog Research Prize for the Social Market Economy 2026

GrACe — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:53:27 +0100

The Roman Herzog Institute annually awards the Roman Herzog Research Prize Social Market Economy, which is endowed with a total of €35,000.

The prize is awarded to three young academics from all subject areas who deal with the further development of our economic and social order in their doctoral theses or post-doctoral habilitations. The practicability and practical relevance of the research results are important. Both self-applications and proposals from faculties and institutes are possible. Contributions from all subject areas are welcome.

Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Detailed information can be found on the homepage of the Roman Herzog Institute: http://www.romanherzoginstitut.de/forschungspreis/

Take part and become a prizewinner!

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme (Short Term)

GrACe — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 11:46:50 +0100

Programme objective

In cooperation with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the aim of the programme is to enable highly qualified young German scientists and doctoral candidates to spend a short-term research stay at universities and selected research institutions in Japan.

Who can apply?

Postdoctoral researchers and PhD students from all subject areas can apply.

What is funded?

Funding is available for research projects at universities and selected research institutions in Japan.

Funding is not available for stays to improve language skills or to carry out regional studies.

Duration of funding

This scholarship has a duration of 1 to 12 months for doctoral students. 1 to 6 months for postdoctoral researchers. The scholarship cannot be extended.

Scholarship benefits

The JSPS scholarship includes the following benefits:

Return flight ticket
a monthly scholarship instalment for doctoral students of approx. 200,000 yen.
for postdoctoral researchers of approx. 362,000 yen.

In the event that the doctoral degree certificate is submitted after the start of the scholarship, the rate will be increased to the rate for postdoctoral researchers from the month following the submission of the certificate.

Travel health insurance
for stays of three months or more, a starting lump sum of approx. 200,000 yen is granted funding can only be granted in modules of full months

Application deadline

Start of scholarship between 01.10.2026 and 31.12.2026

DAAD must receive the application by 31 January 2026 at the latest

BMFTR event series "Research Partner and Competitor China - a Workshop Series for Early-Career Researchers in STEM"

GrACe — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:33:15 +0100

Dear Early-Career Researchers in STEM,

China is assuming an increasingly prominent role in global science, technology, and innovation, with the clear ambition of further consolidating this position in the years ahead. At the same time, China’s rise—as shaped by its geostrategic objectives and its close integration of research with both the military and the economy—has significant implications for the international research landscape, and thus also for your work as researchers. The environment for collaboration, including China’s legal framework, is becoming ever more complex. Only with a solid understanding of China’s innovation ecosystem can cooperation with Chinese partners be pursued in a well-informed and risk-aware manner.

Within the framework of its China Orientation initiative, the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) offers a series of events and exchange formats designed to:

• inform research organizations and researchers about current developments in China,

• raise awareness of potential risks, and

• provide guidance in structuring cooperation with Chinese partners.

A newly developed online workshop series addresses early-career researchers in the STEM disciplines in particular. We are pleased to invite you to participate in the series.

Programme:

Wednesday, 12 November (9:00-10:30 am): Workshop 1 - Overview of science policy strategies, goals and relevant actors in the PR China

Wednesday 19 November (9:00-10:00 am): Workshop 2 - Research funding and talent recruitment in the PR China: Presentation of selected competitions, programmes and measures targeting young researchers in Germany

Wednesday, 26 November (9:00-10:00 am): Workshop 3 - Legal framework from Chinese legislation and the role of cooperation agreements

Wednesday, 03 December (9:00-10:00 am): Workshop 4 - Research security in the cooperation with China: individual responsibility and options for action for researchers

Practical Information:

• Target group: Early-career researchers in STEM fields

• Working language: English

• Registration: Please register via the following link: https://registration.dlr-pt.de/en/research-partner-and-competitor-china/registration

Hector Research Career Development Award - For W1 Assistant Professors & Junior Research Group Leaders

GrACe — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:08:57 +0100

Do you hold a W1 assistant professorship (with or without Tenure Track) or are you an ambitious leader of a junior research group (e.g., Emmy Noether, ERC Starting Grant, or similar)? Do you have a background in the natural or engineering sciences, medicine or psychology? And do you aim for a full professorship or habilitation?

Apply now for the Hector Research Career Development Award! As an awardee, you can benefit from research funding for your outstanding research project. In addition, you will become part of a network of top scientists including the laureates of the Hector Science Award. The Academy is committed to top interdisciplinary research, innovative projects, dialogue between science and society and the promotion of young researchers.

Extent of Funding

25,000 € flexible personal research funds
Funding of a doctoral position (according DFG funding scheme) and material expenses in the HFA up to 4 years (9,500 €/a)
Membership in the Hector Fellow Academy for five years

Your Profile

W1 assistant professor (with or without Tenure Track) or junior research group leader in the natural or engineering sciences, medicine or psychology
Doctorate or PhD-equivalent with outstanding results & completion less than 7 years ago (Exceptions may apply e.g., clinical training, parental leave, see program information)
Temporary employment at a German university or research institution supporting the application
Content-related or formal authorization to supervise doctoral researchers

Application

Application period: September 1 - October 30, 2025

You can find detailed information on the website. Please also read the program information carefully.

Interested scientists may submit a self-application. Nominations from third parties are not considered.

Contact

Thorana Grether, Team Leader Hector Fellow Academy, hrcdaward@hector-fellow-academy.de

“It’s great to have you” – Welcome to all new doctoral researchers!

GrACe — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:43:44 +0200

With the start of the new semester, we would like to extend a very warm welcome to all new doctoral researchers at Bielefeld University! Beginning your doctorate is an exciting step – full of new ideas, challenges, and opportunities to connect. To make this start a shared experience, we – the Graduate Centre – cordially invite you to our welcome event “It’s great to have you.”

Date: 13 November 2025
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Venue: Main University Building (UHG B3-267)

This evening offers plenty of space to meet fellow researchers, ask questions, and start building your academic network – all in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to meeting you in person.

Further information and registration here.

More onboarding and networking opportunities for researchers

In addition to “It’s great to have you,” Bielefeld University offers several events designed to help new researchers and doctoral candidates get started, connect and develop their skills:

Good to know. Onboarding for researchers at Bielefeld University
Learn about starting out in teaching and research, as well as existing infrastructures, counselling, and training opportunities.
The first steps towards the PhD. Techniques to organize your doctorate
A workshop designed to help doctoral candidates reflect on their goals, framework conditions, and next steps.
PhD PeerCircle - Network, exchange and peer counselling for doctoral candidates
A cross-faculty exchange format that supports doctoral candidates in managing the everyday challenges of doctoral life while building an interdisciplinary network.

For more information about the Graduate Centre and an overview of all our offers, please visit: www.uni-bielefeld.de/graduate-centre

It’s great to have you – welcome to Bielefeld University!

The Career Service invites you to the Career Orientation Week

GrACe — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 16:41:44 +0200

First-hand insights into fields of work

The Career Service organises the Career Orientation Week every year. In this series of events, a broad spectrum of current fields of work is presented over five themed days. The invited practitioners provide concrete insights into their workplace, their key tasks and possible challenges in everyday working life. They report on their experiences in the transition from studies or doctorate to career, provide information on career entry opportunities, give tips on the application process and are available for individual questions and networking.

The Career Orientation Week starts with the topic area of science, research and teaching on Monday 17 November 2025.

Further information can be found here.

Opportunities for early career researchers: Research in the USA with Fulbright

GrACe — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 15:59:10 +0200

Are you planning a research stay in the USA as part of your doctorate?

The Fulbright Doctoral Programme offers you the chance of a scholarship at a US university or academic institution.

Fulbright Germany funds four to six-month research projects at a US university or research institution starting between 1 August and 31 December 2026.

The scholarship finances maintenance costs in the USA with 2,400 euros/month. It offers health/accident insurance, Fulbright J-1 visa sponsorship free of charge and inclusion in the renowned Fulbright network worldwide. Become part of the renowned international network of Fulbright scholars, stipendiaries and alumni.

→ Apply now for the deadline on 5 November 2025.

→ See https://fulbright.de/stipendien/programm/doktorandinnenprogramm

Fulbright Germany invites you to an information session on 16 October 2025 from 15:00 to 16:00 to answer your questions.

Please register here. You can reach Fulbright Germany by e-mail at doktoranden@fulbright.de.

Register now for the PEP in the winter semester 2025/26 – the personnel development programme for researchers and teachers!

GrACe — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:31:28 +0200

The winter semester 2025/2026 is approaching, and once again you can register for various events in the Personnel Development Programme for Researchers and Teachers (PEP) this semester. The program supports you in preparing optimally for current and future professional challenges. You have the opportunity to specifically strengthen and further develop your skills to enhance both your professional career and personal development. At the same time, it offers you the chance to exchange ideas with other researchers from all faculties of Bielefeld University.

The PEP-Portal provides you with a diverse selection of training offerings, which are offered by various service facilities of the PEP network in the following six topics:

University as a workplace
Leadership and Collaboration
Research
Teaching
Career
Languages

The PEP portal allows you to filter workshops and seminars by topics, target groups, and seminar languages, so you can quickly and easily find the event that suits you best. Additionally, you will find detailed information about the program on the portal, as well as the contact details of the participating institutions.

More information: http://uni-bielefeld.de/pep/
Contact: pep@uni-bielefeld.de

New Health Offers for Doctoral Researchers – Register Now!

GrACe — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:54:20 +0200

Doing a PhD is exciting, rewarding and often also challenging. Between research, teaching, and personal expectations, mental and physical health can sometimes be neglected. To support you in this intense phase, the Health Management team at Bielefeld University is offering two new online courses.

Embodied Resilience: Simple Tools for Inner Balance at Work (EN)
Fridays, 26 September – 19 December 2025, 09:00 – 10:00
In this English-language course series, you will learn simple and practical methods to strengthen your inner balance and resilience in the workplace. Short body-based and mindfulness exercises will help you reduce stress and clear your mind.
PhD “on the go” – Staying healthy and confident throughout your doctorate with small but powerful everyday strategies (EN)
Wednesdays, 5 – 26 November 2025, 14:00 – 15:00
This blended learning series introduces you to practical tools that can be easily integrated into your PhD routine – whether between writing sessions, meetings, or visits to the library. You will learn techniques to regulate stress and discover how to set healthy boundaries to protect your resources. The program supports you in staying well and maintaining balance and mental strength throughout your doctoral journey.

For questions, please contact gesundheitskurse@uni-bielefeld.de

You can find more offers here.

September 15–19, 2025: Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany (PAW 2025) – register now!

GrACe — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:04:59 +0200

Inspired by the celebration of the Postdoc Appreciation Week in the USA and the UK, the PAW Germany coordination team invited researchers and research institutions, postdoc coordinators and research administrators all over Germany to join us in creating a special program, events and a social media campaign to honor the incredible work of postdocs! The initiative was well taken and our colleagues and postdoc networks all over the country quickly put together a great program with a wide range of topics – most of them online and open for attendees from any institution in Germany. You can find the complete program here.

As part of PAW 2025, GrACe is offering the event “Next Level Scientific Writing Using AI Assistants”. You can find information about this offer and the option to register here.