This fellowship is financed by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation and aims to support postdoctoral researchers and strengthen transnational mobility.

• Postdoctoral researchers who demonstrate clearly above-average qualifications for an academic career (for example an outstanding doctorate, research activities abroad, participation in teaching and research management at the university and in academic affairs) and who are seeking a professorship.
• Applicants must conduct research at a university in Baden-Württemberg and live in Baden-Württemberg during the duration of the project.
• Applicants need to have a position at the university for the duration of the project.

• Candidates must submit an application proposing a research project of outstanding quality.
• Funding may be used to hire and instruct a doctoral candidate, for example.
• Budget up to €200,000 over three years.
• At least 10% must be co-financed by the university department.
• The applicants cannot apply for their own position.
• Applicants may apply for funding for staff resources (for example one doctoral candidate), assistants, equipment, shared investments, travel funds.
• German language skills are a prerequisite

• The University may submit a maximum of six applications to the BW foundation.
• Applications are subject to an internal review by the faculties and the President’s Office
• The call for proposals is usually announced in January.
• The submission deadline for the internal review is usually in March/April; the submission deadline at the foundation (if the proposal passes the internal review) is usually in May.
• The internal deadline for the Eliteprogramme was March 11, 2026. The next application period will presumably open in January 2027.

• The call for the "Eliteprogramm" is currently closed. The next application period will presumably open in January 2027.

www.bwstiftung.de/de/bereiche-programme/bildung/eliteprogramm-fuer-postdoktorandinnen-und-postdoktoranden (in German only)