General Information

The Cluster of Excellence Temporal Communities (EXC 2020) has set itself the task of fundamentally rethinking the concept of literature from a global perspective. We understand and study literature as an individual and collective practice that operates in and through time, creating its own temporalities in the process. Bringing together international researchers from fields as diverse as literary studies, art history and art theory, film studies, theatre studies and philosophy, our work is characterised by a collaborative, exploratory approach that fosters exchange between the humanities and the arts in exciting new formats.

For the year 2026, EXC 2020 invites applications from early career and senior scholars — with fully self-funded status — who are conducting research related to the Cluster's research programme. Successful applicants will be hosted for a period of up to 12 months between 1 January and 31 December 2026 at Freie Universität Berlin.

Fellowship Provisions

• Research Environment. Fellows pursue independent projects within a distinguished interdisciplinary community that brings together partner universities, research libraries, archives, museums as well as literary and artistic institutions, thereby ensuring access to specialised materials and expert interlocutors.
• Infrastructure and Resources. Each fellow is allocated a workspace in EXC 2020’s research facility and enjoys comprehensive access to electronic resources, university libraries and affiliated collections.
• Scholarly Exchange. Fellows are encouraged to engage in seminars, colloquia and thematic working groups convened by Cluster members, fostering sustained interdisciplinary dialogue and opening up avenues for collaboration.
• Publication. Fellows are invited to contribute to EXC 2020’s peer- reviewed open-access online journal ARTICULATIONS, which presents multiple perspectives on temporal communities and critically examines concepts, topics, methods and theories that are central to our collaborative research.

Terms and Conditions

• Applicants are required to be fully self-funded and must provide evidence of comprehensive coverage for all related expenses, including visa, travel, accommodation and health insurance.
• The applicant’s doctoral thesis/dissertation must have been submitted and defended by the application deadline.
• We can grant fellowships only to applicants who have a firm academic affiliation with a non-German institution for the entire duration of the fellowship.
• The applicant’s research project must be compatible with the Cluster’s research agenda.

Application

Applications for fellowships may be submitted in English or German and should include the following:

• Cover letter outlining the motivation for participation in the fellowship programme and the dates of the intended stay at EXC 2020 (max. 1 page);
• Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• Project title and outline (max. 2 pages), including a description of the project’s relation to EXC 2020’s research agenda (see: www.temporal-communities.de/research);
• A copy of the applicant’s PhD certificate or an official document confirming the successful completion of the applicant’s doctoral programme;
• A document confirming the applicant’s firm academic affiliation with a non-German institution for the duration of the fellowship (e.g. an employment contract);
• Evidence of comprehensive coverage for all related expenses, including visa, travel, health insurance and accommodation.

Please submit your application as a single PDF document via email to: international@temporal-communities.de

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