Call for Applications: iDiv Fellowship Programme 2026 for scientists of any nationality working in biodiversity research (monthly stipend of up to €3,500)

Ednah Carrick April 30, 2026

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Closing Date: 24 June 2026

Call for Applications: iDiv Fellowship Programme 2026 for scientists of any nationality working in biodiversity research (monthly stipend of up to €3,500)

iDiv Fellowships

iDiv Fellows are an important part of iDiv – they share their knowledge and actively contribute to its research community. Both the researchers and iDiv as a whole benefit from the experience, insights and passion that iDiv Fellows bring to biodiversity research.

iDiv Fellowship Programme 2026

Interactions and scientific engagement of visiting scientists are central to iDiv’s vision of becoming a leading biodiversity research centre. iDiv Fellows play a key role in advancing the iDiv Science Strategy through intellectual and social exchange, sharing their vision, experience, and passion for biodiversity research.

The Fellowship Programme is quite flexible in terms of timing, project topics, and ideas on how to integrate into the iDiv community. It is designed to attract scientists working in biodiversity research for research stays of up to one year. Applications are welcome from all areas of biodiversity research, ranging from biology to social and computational sciences, and should be closely aligned with the iDiv Science
Strategy.

Fellowship projects may include a reasonable amount of laboratory or fieldwork. Senior researchers of any nationality holding a position in an academic institution, free standing research institution, scientific society, governmental or policy agency, or non governmental organisation are generally eligible and highly welcome to submit a proposal. iDiv especially encourages people from all research-wise underrepresented regions to apply.

iDiv Fellowship Programme Requirements

Fellows must have at least one iDiv Member as a host, ideally based at the iDiv Core Centre. A list of current members is available online. Fellows are expected to spend at least 50% of their time in residence at the iDiv Core Centre in Leipzig. The host should prepare a meaningful hosting plan with focus on integration across iDiv and at the host’s institutions if the place of work is planned for instance, in Halle or Jena.

To ensure mutual benefits and efficient communication between fellows and iDiv scientists, fellows are expected to be an integral part of the iDiv community. This includes, for example, giving formal and informal presentations on their research, initiating new projects, and participating in the mentorship of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers (see iDiv’s Graduate School and Postdoc Programme). iDiv follows fair and open data and code principles and supports fellows in all aspects of data management.

iDiv Funding

Fellowship projects must be completed by December 2027. Funding is intended to cover additional costs associated with a stay in Leipzig or to compensate for potential salary losses. iDiv provides a monthly stipend of up to €3,500, depending on other funding sources, location, and individual needs. If applicable, a monthly child allowance (€400 for the first child and €100 for each additional child) will be provided, as well as one round trip per fellow (or family) between the place of residence and Leipzig.

For more detailed information on average living expenses in Leipzig, please contact Luise Dietel ([email protected]).

Proposal Evaluation

iDiv Fellows are selected either from applications submitted directly to the programme or through nominations by iDiv Members. Proposals are evaluated by the Fellowship Board, which consists of four to five scientists from institutions within the iDiv consortium.

Reporting

iDiv Fellows are encouraged to meet regularly with their collaborators and to participate in lab meetings. The main objective of the fellowship is to produce publications (ideally high-impact) or other high-impact products.

Upon completion of their stay, Fellows are required to submit a final report. After the project has concluded, iDiv may invite former Fellows to join its alumni network and to support its activities, for example by serving as reviewers for iDiv funding proposals

General Rules

Monthly stipend: Up to €3,500 depending on other funding sources
Duration: Project stays of up to one year
Host: At least one iDiv Member (preferably based at the iDiv Core Centre)
Location: Minimum of 50% of the time at the iDiv Core Centre in Leipzig
Community: Fellows are expected to be an integral part of the iDiv research community. iDiv actively encourage applications from underrepresented regions to ensure a broad range of scientific voices.