Call for Proposals
Volkswagen Momentum Fellowship Programme “From Pre-Modern to Modern Perspectives in Judaic Studies”, Munich Research Centre for Jewish-Arabic Cultures, LMU Munich
The Volkswagen Momentum Fellowship Programme “From Pre-Modern to Modern Perspectives in Judaic Studies” invites applications from scholars whose research focuses on Judaism and Jewish communities across the Middle East, the wider Middle East and North Africa from the early modern period into the modern era.
The programme brings together scholarship that has traditionally treated these periods separately. It promotes an interdisciplinary and diachronic approach to Jewish history, encouraging research that explores long-term historical developments and examines how pre-modern and modern perspectives can illuminate one another.
Structured to foster intellectual exchange, the fellowship programme encourages close collaboration between fellows and the research team at the Munich Research Centre for Jewish-Arabic Cultures, directed by Prof. Dr. Ronny Vollandt. The programme draws on approaches from anthropology, sociology, political science, law, philology, and religious studies. Furthermore, it is committed to challenging Eurocentric narratives in Jewish historiography by amplifying the voices and experiences of Mizrahi Jews from across the wider Middle East.
Fellowship Opportunities
To foster dialogue across career stages, the programme offers fellowships for both senior and early-career scholars.
Senior Fellowships
(more than seven years after the PhD)
- Monthly stipend of €4,200
- Duration: 3–12 months
Junior Fellowships
(up to seven years after the PhD)
- Monthly stipend of €3,200
- Duration: 6–12 months
During the fellowship, scholars are expected to contribute to the programme by delivering a public lecture, offering a masterclass, and writing a blog post on their research. Residency in Munich is required.
Application
Please submit the following application materials as a single PDF file by 2 November 2026 to m.shcherbakova@lmu.de:
- Project Proposal
- Curriculum Vitae
- Writing Sample (maximum 30 pages)
- Contact Information for Two Referees.
For further information, please contact Marina Shcherbakova at m.shcherbakova@lmu.de.