Deadline: September 20, 2025
Are you a researcher, scholar, or artist committed to exploring critical questions of democracy, resistance, and resilience in illiberal times? The Budapest Open Society Fellowship on Modalities of Resilience and Resistance 2026–2027 is now open for applications. Hosted by the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS CEU), the Democracy Institute (DI), and the Blinken OSA Archivum (OSA) at Central European University (CEU), Budapest, this fellowship provides a unique platform for intellectual and creative exploration.
About the Fellowship
The 2026–2027 cycle of the Budapest Open Society Fellowship is dedicated to the theme: “Modalities of Resilience and Resistance: Academia and Society in Illiberal Times.”
The programme invites scholars and artists to reflect on:
- How autocratic and illiberal regimes evolve.
- The merging of ideological components such as populism, neoliberalism, and religious fundamentalisms.
- Transnational and cross-border manifestations of resistance.
- The role of academia, scholarship, and the arts in challenging illiberal systems.
This is a unique opportunity to engage with critical debates, produce innovative research or artistic projects, and connect with a global network of thinkers in Budapest.
Fellowship Benefits
Fellows receive monthly stipends to support their residency at IAS CEU:
- Senior Fellows: ~€2,600/month
- Junior Fellows: ~€1,500/month
- Artists in Residence: ~€2,000/month
Other benefits include:
- Housing: Accommodation at the Raoul Wallenberg Guesthouse for fellows and their families (utilities charged separately).
- Community: Engagement with the academic and artistic community at CEU and partner institutions.
- Flexibility: While stipends and housing are provided, fellows are responsible for their own travel arrangements and healthcare coverage.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Budapest Open Society Fellowship on Modalities of Resilience and Resistance 2026–2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Academic Background:
- PhD (or equivalent) in the humanities or social sciences by the application deadline.
- For artists: a relevant degree in their field.
- Track Record:
- Established publication record in internationally recognised outlets.
- For artists: evidence of strong professional achievements.
- Career Stage:
- Junior Fellows: PhD obtained in 2018 or later.
- Senior Fellows: PhD obtained before 2018.
- Language: Fluency in English is required.
- Nationality: Open to all nationalities. Visa requirements for Hungary will be reviewed case by case.
Important Restrictions
- Former full-time CEU employees or students are ineligible until five years after the end of their contract or degree (must have ended by 31 December 2020 or earlier).
- Former part-time or temporary CEU employees must wait one year after their contract ends (must have ended by 31 December 2024 or earlier).
- Former fellows of IAS CEU must wait seven years before reapplying (with rare exceptions).
- Applications may only be resubmitted up to three times in five years.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 September 2025, 11:59 pm CET
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply online by submitting the required documents through the official fellowship portal.
👉 Click here to apply
👉 Read more about the programme
The Budapest Open Society Fellowship on Modalities of Resilience and Resistance 2026–2027 is a prestigious opportunity to engage with global debates on resilience, democracy, and resistance. If you are ready to contribute to this urgent conversation, do not miss the deadline.
📌 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review.
