Scholars, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows of the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” are invited to participate in the prestigious KIU Research Fellowship Competition for the Summer Term 2027, organised by the Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies (KIU) at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Germany.
This initiative is fully funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office, and supports innovative, high-impact research projects focused on Ukraine.
About the Competence Network (KIU)
The KIU network (Kompetenznetzwerk Interdisziplinäre Ukrainestudien Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin) is a premier four-year collaborative project that links leading German research centres to create an interconnected scholarly hub on the German-Polish border. Managed by the European University Viadrina, the consortium brings together distinguished partners in Berlin:
- Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS);
- Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin);
- Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin);
- Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW);
- Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Institute for Advanced Study).
Semester Umbrella Theme: “Labour Market and Social Policy in Transition: Institutional and Social Changes in Ukraine”.
The Summer Term 2027 focuses on transformations within work, social policy, economic welfare, and labour institutions in Ukraine across multiple historical, legal, and socio-political dimensions.
Indicative Research Areas
- Soviet Legacies & Post-Soviet Transformation: moving from a planned to a market economy, restructuring of heavy industry and agro-enterprises, and anti-oligarchic structural transformations.
- Impact of War & Martial Law: reconfiguration of labour legislation, social protection systems, and economic resilience under martial law since 2014 and following the 2022 full-scale invasion.
- Reintegration of Vulnerable Groups: labour market re-entry of military veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returning refugees, and persons with disabilities.
- Social Dialogue & Trade Unions: union advocacy, limitations under wartime conditions, and social partnership mechanisms.
- EU Integration & Post-War Recovery: alignment with European Union employment standards, war-driven technological innovations, start-up culture, and entrepreneurial adaptations.
- Cultural & Media Narratives: artistic, literary, and media depictions of work, employment conditions, and social shifts in Ukrainian society.
Eligible Disciplines: Economics, Law, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, Contemporary History, Media & Communication Studies, Conflict Studies, Cultural Studies, and Science & Technology Studies (STS).
Fellowship Categories & Financial Terms
1. On-Site Research Fellowships in Frankfurt (Oder) – 9 Awards:
Duration: 3 months (15 April 2027 – 15 July 2027).
Location: European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany.
Financial Package:
Monthly living stipend of €2,000 to €2,300 (commensurate with academic qualifications and experience);
One-time DAAD travel lump-sum (travel allowance up to €600);
Dedicated workstation in the KIU co-working space, full library/database access at Viadrina and Berlin consortium partners, and logistical assistance with local accommodation.
Fellows' Commitments: Participation in weekly KIU research colloquia, the KIU Ukraine Lecture Series, community meetings, delivering one project presentation in the colloquium, and optionally giving a public lecture.
2. Sur-Place (Non-Residential) Fellowships in Ukraine – 9 Awards:
Target Group: Ukrainian scholars who remain in Ukraine due to academic, personal, or travel regulations.
Duration: Up to 9 months (commencing 1 April 2027).
Financial Package: Monthly research allowance of €450.
Fellows' Commitments: Direct cooperation with an assigned KIU academic host on a joint research output, participation in online seminars and fellow meetings, and development of tangible academic products (peer-reviewed papers, joint grant proposals, conference panels).
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Degree Requirement: applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD / Candidate of Sciences / Doctor of Sciences) at the time of application.
Career Stage: open to postdoctoral researchers, assistant/associate professors, and senior scholars.
Language Proficiency: strong working and academic proficiency in English.
Nationalities: Scholars of all nationalities working on Ukraine are eligible, excluding nationals of states hostile to Ukraine (German citizens are not eligible for residential fellowships under DAAD provisions).
Applicants must nominate a potential Academic Host affiliated with the KIU network (Viadrina, HU Berlin, FU Berlin, ZOiS, etc.) whose scholarly portfolio aligns with the proposed project. If applicants have existing working ties with KIU scholars, they should highlight them. A comprehensive list of potential mentors (e.g., Prof. Robert Kindler, Prof. Jan Claas Behrends, Prof. Jan-Hendrik Passoth, Dr Frank Grelka, Dr Stephan Rindlisbacher, and others) is accessible directly on the KIU fellowship portal.
Required Application Documents (in English)
All application files must be submitted electronically via the online portal:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): personal data, portrait photograph (.jpg), valid passport/ID scan (.jpg), doctoral diploma certificates (.pdf/.jpg), and language certificates (if available).
- List of Publications: complete academic publication record, including a concise outline highlighting up to 5 works most relevant to the proposal.
- Project Proposal (maximum 750 words): detailing research hypotheses/questions, theoretical framework, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes during the fellowship period.
- Public Lecture Concept: tentative title and short abstract of an open lecture suitable for the KIU academic community.
- Academic Host Rationale: a concise justification of the preferred host/institution within the KIU network and areas of proposed collaboration.
Deadlines & Application Submission
Application Deadline: 25 November 2026 (23:59 CET).
Submission Portal: Applications are processed exclusively through the official KIU Online Application Portal (you must register before submitting).
Program Page and Online Portal: https://www.kiu.europa-uni.de/en/research/research-fellowship-competition/index.html
Program Inquiries: kiu@europa-uni.de / kiu-fellowships@europa-uni.de.
For consultation, advisory assistance, and proposal formatting support, faculty members and researchers of Poltava Polytechnic may contact the University's International Relations Office: interoffice@nupp.edu.ua (Room 213-C).
