About SCRIPTS

The Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)" is an interdisciplinary research consortium that investigates the global deepening of contestations surrounding liberal models of society and their resilience. Since 2019, SCRIPTS has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy (Exzellenzstrategie) initiated by the federal and state governments. Headquartered at Freie Universität Berlin, the Cluster unites excellent research from six research institutions. It collaborates with partners across all world regions. In the first funding period 2019-2025, the main emphasis was on conceptualizing and detecting patterns of contestations of the liberal script on the state, regional and international level as well as explaining their causes. The second funding period 2026-2032 focuses especially on consequences of liberal script contestations.

Eligibility

The Academic Accelerator Fellowship is designed for doctoral researchers from regions and communities underrepresented in academia. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program at an institution outside of Germany for the full duration of the fellowship. The program is primarily directed at researchers in the second or third year of their PhD studies. Their PhD projects must be relevant to the SCRIPTS research agenda.

Application

How to Apply: Applicants must submit the following documents:

1. Cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining
   • how your profile aligns with the goals of the fellowship
   • why the BGTS is an optimal place for your training, including:
     - fit of your PhD project with the SCRIPTS research agenda
     - 2-3 suggested mentors from among the SCRIPTS Principal Investigators
2. Three-page outline of the PhD thesis
3. Curriculum vitae
4. Proof of enrollment in a PhD program
5. One letter of reference from your supervisor or another professor at a research institution familiar with your work
6. Copies of relevant academic certificates
7. Copy of a valid travel document

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is February 28, 2026.

Please submit your application including all required documents to: diversity@scripts-berlin.eu

At SCRIPTS, we value diversity as the means to ensure the quality and excellence of the cluster. We believe in inclusive excellence, in which a variety of research perspectives enrich the quality of our research. SCRIPTS is dedicated to create a welcoming environment and foster equal opportunities for all.

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