The University of Zurich has opened applications for the CEES Fellowships 2027, offering researchers an opportunity to spend up to four months conducting independent research in Switzerland.
For the Spring 2027 semester, the Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) at the University of Zurich plans to award approximately 5–6 residential fellowships to highly talented young and mid-career researchers in the social sciences and humanities.
The fellowship is designed for scholars conducting historical or contemporary research connected with Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus or Central Asia.
Successful Fellows will be based at the University of Zurich for a period of up to four months beginning in mid-February 2027.
Funding includes a living stipend, travel support and administrative costs, while the wider CEES Fellowship Program also provides institutional support including access to research facilities and assistance with finding accommodation in Zurich.
Applications for the Spring 2027 cohort must be submitted by October 12, 2026.
University of Zurich CEES Fellowships 2027: Overview
Host Institution: University of Zurich
Research Center: Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES)
Country: Switzerland
Fellowship Type: Residential Research Fellowship
Academic Fields: Social Sciences and Humanities
Number of Fellowships: Approximately 5–6
Duration: Up to four months
Expected Start: Mid-February 2027
Funding: Living stipend, travel and administrative support
Research Regions: Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia
Special Spring 2027 Focus: South Caucasus
Application Language: English
Application Deadline: October 12, 2026
The CEES confirms that the Spring 2027 programme will support researchers pursuing independent projects while participating in the Center’s academic activities.
About the University of Zurich CEES Fellowship Program
The Center for Eastern European Studies serves as an interdisciplinary hub at the University of Zurich for contemporary and historical research concerning Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet region.
Its work spans research, teaching, publications, workshops, public events and engagement with policymakers, businesses and the wider public.
The CEES Fellowship Program was established to strengthen academic knowledge, build relationships with scholars and institutions around the world and encourage interdisciplinary research on politically and socially important issues involving Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
The program particularly supports researchers who want to pursue an independent project while engaging with the academic community at the University of Zurich.
Who Can Apply for the CEES Fellowship 2027?
The Spring 2027 opportunity is intended for young and mid-career scholars working in either the social sciences or humanities.
Candidates should have research interests relating to historical or contemporary issues involving:
- Eastern Europe
- Russia
- The Caucasus
- Central Asia
- Post-Soviet Eurasia
The fellowship welcomes applications from scholars researching a broad range of issues within these geographical areas.
However, applicants must meet an especially important institutional requirement.
The University of Zurich states that CEES can only consider applicants who are currently enrolled at or employed by their home university.
Researchers who are completely unaffiliated with a university should therefore carefully consider this requirement before preparing an application.
Special Research Focus for Spring 2027
Although CEES welcomes applications covering a broad spectrum of research related to Eastern Europe and post-Soviet Eurasia, the Spring 2027 competition places particular emphasis on the South Caucasus.
The Center is especially interested in proposals examining:
Geopolitical trends
Economic connectivity
Transnational social issues
Transnational cultural issues
related to the South Caucasus region.
Researchers whose projects address countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia, or wider regional dynamics involving the South Caucasus, may therefore find the 2027 thematic focus especially relevant.
However, research outside this particular theme can still be considered provided that it fits the wider geographical and disciplinary scope of CEES.
What Does the CEES Fellowship Cover?
The fellowship provides financial and institutional support during the Scholar’s period at the University of Zurich.
Living Stipend
Successful Fellows receive a stipend toward living expenses during their stay in Zurich.
The official Spring 2027 call does not publish a fixed stipend amount.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial estimates of the monthly value and should seek clarification directly from CEES if precise financial information is required before accepting an offer.
Travel Support
The Spring 2027 call states that fellowship funding includes travel costs associated with the Fellowship period.
This is an important benefit for international researchers who need to travel to Switzerland for the residential programme.
Administrative Costs
Funding also includes relevant administrative costs connected with the Fellow’s stay.
Health Insurance and Visa Support
The general CEES Fellowship Program information states that funding normally includes travel, health insurance, visa support and a living stipend for the fellowship period.
Because individual calls can contain slightly different descriptions of financial coverage, selected candidates should confirm exactly which costs are covered under their specific Spring 2027 fellowship offer.
Research Workspace
Fellows receive access to a workspace and other necessary facilities at CEES.
This provides Scholars with an institutional base from which to conduct their research during their time in Zurich.
Library Access
Researchers also receive access to relevant University of Zurich libraries and research resources.
Housing Assistance
CEES states that it will assist Fellows in finding housing in the Zurich area.
This does not necessarily mean accommodation itself is free, so applicants should distinguish between housing assistance and direct housing coverage unless CEES confirms otherwise.
What Will CEES Fellows Do?
The CEES Fellowship is designed as an active academic residency rather than simply financial support for independent research.
Successful Fellows are expected to pursue their own research project while participating actively in CEES academic activities.
During the fellowship period, Scholars engage with the University’s interdisciplinary academic community and researchers working on Eastern European and Eurasian studies.
The program expects Fellows to contribute intellectually to CEES through activities such as lectures, seminars or workshops.
Lecture, Seminar or Workshop Requirement
Each Fellow is expected to present their research through a lecture, seminar or workshop during the fellowship.
Applicants are therefore required to include a short workshop proposal as part of their application.
This component gives researchers an opportunity to share their work with academics, students and other members of the CEES community.
It also means prospective applicants should think carefully about how their research can contribute to scholarly discussion beyond their own individual project.
Publication Expectations
CEES also expects Fellows to publish findings from their research through one of the Center’s publication outlets.
This makes the fellowship particularly attractive for researchers seeking to strengthen their academic publication profile while developing international research networks.
Academic Fields
The program is open to researchers working across the social sciences and humanities.
Depending on the proposed research topic, relevant backgrounds could potentially include disciplines such as:
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Sociology
- History
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Cultural Studies
- Area Studies
- Political Economy
- Migration Studies
- Security Studies
- Media and Communication Studies
- Literature
- Social and Cultural History
However, applicants should focus primarily on whether their proposed project fits CEES’s research scope rather than assuming eligibility simply because their academic discipline appears relevant.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete package consisting of several documents.
Letter of Motivation
Candidates need to provide a motivation letter explaining their interest in the fellowship.
A strong motivation letter should clearly explain why the University of Zurich and CEES are particularly relevant to the applicant’s research.
Applicants should avoid generic statements and instead demonstrate how residency at CEES would contribute to the development of their specific research project.
Research Proposal
Applicants must provide a 3–5 page research proposal.
This will likely be one of the most important components of the application.
The proposal should clearly define the research problem, objectives, methodology, academic significance and expected outputs.
Applicants should also explain how the project connects to Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia or the broader post-Soviet Eurasian region.
Candidates applying under the special Spring 2027 focus should clearly demonstrate the connection between their research and the South Caucasus.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must submit a CV including a list of publications.
Researchers should make their academic achievements, institutional affiliations, research experience and publication record easy for reviewers to identify.
Writing Sample
Candidates are required to submit a short writing sample in English, such as an academic article or book chapter.
The writing sample gives selectors an opportunity to evaluate the applicant’s research and academic-writing capabilities.
Workshop Proposal
Applicants must provide a short proposal for a workshop to be held at CEES.
The proposed workshop should logically connect with the candidate’s broader research expertise or fellowship project.
References
Candidates need either:
Two letters of recommendation
or
the names of two referees.
Applicants should select referees who know their research well and can credibly comment on their academic ability and potential.
All application materials must be prepared in English.
How to Apply
Applicants must combine the required materials into one PDF document and submit the complete application to CEES using the email address specified in the official call.
Candidates should carefully check that the PDF contains all required components before sending it.
The application should contain:
- Motivation letter
- Research proposal of 3–5 pages
- Curriculum vitae including publications
- Short English writing sample
- Short CEES workshop proposal
- Two recommendation letters or names of two referees
The University specifically states that all these materials should be submitted in English as a single PDF.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the University of Zurich CEES Spring 2027 Fellowship Program is:
October 12, 2026.
Applicants should ideally submit before the final day to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical or documentation issues.
The fellowship is expected to begin in mid-February 2027 and may last for up to four months.
Are International Applicants Eligible?
The broader CEES Fellowship Program states that applicants are welcomed from around the world.
However, preference may be given to Scholars residing in countries within CEES’s geographical area of interest, including Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
International applicants outside those regions should therefore not automatically assume that they are excluded.
The key requirements are that their research fits CEES’s academic scope and that they satisfy the institutional-affiliation requirements of the relevant call.
Early-Career Researchers Are Encouraged
CEES states that priority is generally given to scholars in the early stages of their careers and to individuals working in higher-education institutions on issues aligned with CEES research priorities.
The Spring 2027 call also explicitly describes its target group as talented and innovative young or mid-career scholars.
Applicants do not therefore need to be senior professors to compete for the Fellowship.
How to Strengthen Your CEES Fellowship Application
Applicants should focus on presenting a research project that is both academically rigorous and clearly connected with the Center’s expertise.
The strongest proposals should clearly answer several questions.
What specific research problem will the project investigate?
Why is the issue important?
Why is CEES an appropriate institution for carrying out the work?
What can realistically be accomplished during a fellowship lasting no more than four months?
How will the applicant contribute to CEES’s intellectual community?
Candidates should also show why completing the research in Zurich would provide value beyond simply having uninterrupted research time.
Engagement with CEES scholars, library collections, interdisciplinary expertise and workshops should form part of the intellectual rationale for the residency where relevant.
Why the CEES Fellowship Stands Out
The University of Zurich CEES Fellowship 2027 offers more than financial support.
Researchers receive an opportunity to spend an extended period within one of Switzerland’s major universities while developing an independent research project.
The Fellowship combines:
Financial support
International academic exposure
Library and institutional access
Research workspace
Academic networking
Workshop and presentation opportunities
Publication opportunities
Housing assistance
These features make it particularly attractive for early- and mid-career researchers hoping to expand their international networks and strengthen their publication and research portfolios.
About the Center for Eastern European Studies
The University of Zurich describes CEES as an interdisciplinary center focusing on the former socialist states of Eastern Europe and countries of the post-Soviet space.
Alongside academic research and teaching, the Center produces publications, hosts public events and workshops, participates in media discussions and provides expertise to political and business decision-makers.
Its Fellowship Program complements this work by bringing international scholars to Zurich to conduct research and exchange ideas with CEES researchers and associated experts.
Important Information Applicants Should Know
Applicants should pay close attention to several points before applying.
First, the Fellowship is residential, meaning selected Scholars are expected to conduct their research while based at the University of Zurich.
Second, applicants must currently be enrolled at or employed by a home university.
Third, the fellowship is aimed specifically at research within the social sciences and humanities related to the geographical and thematic areas covered by CEES.
Finally, the official call does not provide a specific numerical value for the fellowship stipend.
Applicants should therefore avoid websites claiming an exact stipend unless the figure can be verified through CEES.
Final Thoughts
The Fully Funded Research Fellowship in Switzerland: University of Zurich Opens CEES Fellowships 2027 provides an excellent opportunity for young and mid-career researchers seeking an international academic residency in Europe.
For Spring 2027, the Center for Eastern European Studies at the University of Zurich is offering approximately 5–6 fellowships, each lasting for up to four months beginning in mid-February 2027.
The fellowship is primarily aimed at social science and humanities researchers studying Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, with particular Spring 2027 interest in geopolitical trends, economic connectivity and transnational social and cultural issues involving the South Caucasus.
Successful Fellows receive financial and institutional support that includes a living stipend, travel-related support and research facilities, while CEES’s general fellowship framework also identifies health insurance and visa support among its normal benefits.
Candidates must submit a motivation letter, 3–5 page research proposal, CV with publications, English writing sample, workshop proposal and recommendation information.
The deadline is October 12, 2026.
Researchers interested in the Fellowship should review the official University of Zurich CEES call carefully before preparing their application and ensure that every required document is combined into the requested single PDF.
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