VolkswagenStiftung – Navigating a Transforming World Order: Fellowships on Security and Technology

A fellowship programme for postdoctoral researchers to create new knowledge on the transformation processes of the global security order. The fellowship consists of research and practical training.

The VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation), is an independent, non-corporate, non-profit foundation dedicated to the support of the humanities and social sciences, as well as science and technology in higher education and research.

With its Navigating a Transforming World Order: Fellowships on Security and Technology programme, the foundation supports postdoctoral researchers in generating new knowledge on the transformation processes of the global security order. Through the development of evidence-based solutions for dealing with global current and future challenges, the foundation seeks to contribute to a sustainable global security and peace architecture. The focus is on multi-perspectivity at the interface of science, practice and politics.

The fellows, trained to become security experts, are expected to integrate at least two stays at European (international) institutions in their fellowships to develop and strengthen international networks and a decided European perspective.

The fellowships span 3 years, of which 24 months are earmarked for research. Another 12 months are devoted to a practice oriented-‘training on the job’-module consisting of activities such as workshops on modern science communication or policy consulting as well as stays at (inter)national organisations or Think Tanks. The training programme will be developed individually with the support of the Volkswagen Foundation and flexibly integrated in the overall fellowship. The fellowship is further embedded in a European framework programme.

The present, first call specifically addresses the nexus of security and technology. Possible topics include: artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, the increasing importance of space in the context of security and defence, as well as issues surrounding arms control, innovation and untapped power, deterrence, and ethics.

The foundation plans to publish two subsequent calls on an annual basis, each with a different thematic focus.