Most technology fellowships focus on building the next tool. This one asks a harder question: what happens to people, power and democracy when those tools take over? The Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026–2027 at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna gives doctoral and early-career postdoctoral researchers three fully supported months to dig into exactly that.
Key Takeaways
- 3-month research stay in Vienna (Feb–June 2027)
- Monthly stipend: €3,300 (postdocs) or €2,750 (PhD candidates)
- Deadline: 21 September 2026 (23:59 CEST)
- Open worldwide to current PhD students and recent postdocs
- Must address technology’s impact on society — not Digital Humanities
- Office, research facilities and full IWM community access included
Digital Humanism Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026–2027 |
| Host | Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), Vienna |
| Duration | 3 consecutive months |
| Monthly Stipend | €3,300 (Postdocs) / €2,750 (Doctoral candidates) |
| Deadline | 21 September 2026, 23:59 CEST |
| Eligibility | Current PhD students or PhD completed after 21 September 2022 |
| Focus | Technology, society, ethics, AI governance, digital rights |
What You Actually Receive
- Monthly stipend of €3,300 if you are a postdoc or €2,750 if you are still a doctoral candidate
- Fully equipped private office and high-speed internet
- Access to IWM’s research facilities and administrative support
- Full membership in the Institute’s international scholarly community
- Chance to work alongside the Senior Digital Humanism Visiting Fellow
- Entry to seminars, workshops, lectures and academic events throughout your stay
The stipend is designed to cover everything: rent in Vienna, travel, health insurance, daily living costs and research expenses. No separate housing or travel allowance is provided. Also see University of Michigan Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027: $63,000 Annual Stipend.
Who This Fellowship Is Really For
You can apply if you are:
- Currently enrolled in a doctoral programme, or
- Have finished your PhD no earlier than 21 September 2022
You must have defended your dissertation before the application deadline if you apply as a postdoc. Previous IWM fellows need to wait three full academic years before applying again. Only one application is allowed in the same academic year.
One clear boundary matters: this is not a Digital Humanities fellowship. Proposals that simply use digital tools to study literature, history or culture will be rejected. The programme wants research that critically examines how digital technologies reshape society, rights, governance and power.
Research Themes That Fit
Strong proposals usually sit in one or more of these areas:
- Digital transformation and its effects on everyday life
- Technology and human rights
- Artificial intelligence and governance
- Digital policy and regulation
- Social, political or economic consequences of digitalisation
- Geopolitics of emerging technologies
- Ethics and responsible innovation
Interdisciplinary work that mixes computer science with political science, sociology, philosophy, law, economics or media studies is especially welcome.
How to Apply for Digital Humanism Fellowship 2027
Submit everything through the official IWM online application system in English by 21 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. You will need:
- A motivation letter
- A short project description (max 550 characters)
- A detailed project proposal (max 7,500 characters)
- Your CV with publications
- Two confidential recommendation letters sent directly by your referees
Merge all your own documents into a single PDF. Email submissions are not accepted. Results will be emailed by 30 November 2026. No individual feedback is given to unsuccessful applicants.