Deadline: 15 February 2020
Open to: senior and junior researchers, representing disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, especially modern history, sociology, political science, international relations, law studies and political philosophy
Benefits: Senior Visiting Fellows will receive a stipend of EUR 3,000 per month, Junior Visiting Fellows EUR 2,000 per month

Description

The Pilecki Institute is a research institution based in Warsaw, Poland. It is named after Witold Pilecki (1901–1948), the World War II Polish intelligence agent and officer with the Home Army who volunteered to let himself be caught and sent to the concentration and death camp in Auschwitz in order to organize resistance inside and to report on the atrocities being carried out there by the Germans. After the war he became a victim of the communist regime and was executed in 1948.

The Institute examines 20th-century history with a special focus on totalitarian ideologies and their implementation in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries. The Institute’s mission is to reinvigorate international scholarly discussion on the German and Soviet occupation of Central and Eastern Europe by initiating interdisciplinary and comparative research projects and scholarship, and by offering grant programs aimed at early-stage, junior, and senior scholars.

The Center for Totalitarian Studies at the Institute gathers researchers who specialize in political science, international relations, sociology, international law, history and Jewish studies. This unique milieu of scholars both initiates and participates in interdisciplinary research projects devoted to totalitarianism and the history of Poland and Central and Eastern Europe in the 20th century. Their studies are concerned primarily with World War II, its consequences, and the cultivation of memory by the second and third postwar generations. They are supported as well by the Institute’s team of archival and bibliographic experts.

The Institute seeks scholars to carry out their own research projects in this vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment who will contribute with their approaches, perspectives and new ideas. They are looking for scholars ready to work in a multidisciplinary and vigorous team and participate in vibrant discussions on political, social, economic, cultural, international and legal aspects and implications of the complex phenomenon of totalitarianism.

Eligibility

Candidates for the Pilecki Junior Fellowships

• must currently be pursuing their doctoral degree at the dissertation stage or have recently obtained a Ph.D. in an academic institution outside Poland in one of the academic disciplines in the humanities and social sciences;
• must have at least one publication, preferably in the area of Central/East European studies, Polish studies, Holocaust studies, totalitarianism, WW II or other related subjects;
• must speak fluent English (C1 and above).

Candidates for the Pilecki Senior Fellowship

• must hold a Ph.D./Doctoral degree in the humanities or social science from an academic institution outside of Poland and have at least 10 years of post-Doctoral research experience;
• must have a proven record of research and publications related to the above-mentioned research areas;
• must speak fluent English (C1 and above).

Benefits

Senior Visiting Fellows will receive a stipend of EUR 3,000 per month, Junior Visiting Fellows EUR 2,000 per month to cover accommodation and living expenses in Warsaw and health insurance. The Pilecki Institute will provide office space, in-house research and administrative facilities, internet access, as well as other services. Travel expenses for flying in-out as well as additional travel expenditures for project-related research trips will be covered by the Pilecki Institute.

Scholars planning to work on Poland-related matters who are not already fluent will be strongly advised to enter the Institute’s fully funded language programs to develop their command of Polish.

How to Apply?

Candidates shall submit their applications to the following email address: scholarships@instytutpileckiego.pl. 

All application documents must be submitted in English. All applicants will be notified when their applications have been received.

The complete application should contain:

• an application form (you’ll find the attachment below) that comprises:
  • an academic curriculum vitae
  • a research project proposal, including research questions/problem, the aims of the project, research methods, the expected results and
    an explanation of the importance of the research to its area of study (up to 1,000 words)
  • list of publications
  • a schedule for the research work to be done in Poland, explaining why it is essential for the project and including a list of archives or other institutions to be consulted
  • in the case of junior fellowships, a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s academic supervisor or other scholars familiar with the applicants research/work. The reference letter should be sent directly by the referee from his/her official address to the following email address: scholarships@instytutpileckiego.pl
  • a Personal Data Protection statement (view the attached file)

For more information, and how to apply, please visit the official website.