The Institute for Advanced Studies at Central European University (IAS CEU) brings together scholars from around the world who work in the fields of the social sciences, humanities and law. High level scholarly work is achieved through a combination of sustained individual research and ongoing collaborations and conversations with other scholars. Its mission is to promote the free and independent pursuit of scholarly research in the context of an interdisciplinary intellectual community.

Every year, IAS CEU offers Junior and Senior Core Fellowships to humanities and social science researchers. Successful applicants will spend 3-9 months in Budapest and pursue their own research. Applications are now open for fellowships taking place in the 2026/2027 academic year. IAS CEU will seek to select and support the most innovative research proposals. Young scholars with demonstrable promise of excellence will be considered; established senior scholars are expected to have solid records of first rate scholarship. IAS CEU fellows will be expected to produce novel and significant research results.

All nationalities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in the social sciences or humanities at the time of their application. Only those with publications in internationally recognised scholarly outlets will be considered.

Junior fellows must have obtained a PhD degree issued in 2018 or later and must apply for the junior fellowship. Candidates who obtained their PhD before 2018 are considered senior and must apply for the senior fellowship. Applicants are expected to be able to communicate fluently in English as this is the working language of the Institute and CEU.

Senior fellows receive a net monthly stipend of €2,600 and junior fellows receive a net monthly stipend of €1,500 to help support their stay in Budapest. In addition, all fellows and their families receive housing at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse. Fellows have access to all CEU facilities, including seminar and conference space, computer services and library resources.

The following fellowship lengths are available:

• Nine month fellowship (October-June).
• Three month short autumn semester (October-December).
• Five month autumn semester (October-February).
• Six month spring semester (January-June).

The application deadline is 20 September 2025.