Research Applications

Deadline for applications: December 15, 2024

The Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) invites applications for individual research fellowships for periods of 3-5 months between March 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025 or September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026.

Applications are expected to address a topic under the following three thematic priorities.

For this call, the main priority is number 1 listed below which includes the EU-Balkan Observatory.

 1. The Future of Europe and the EU – with a Specific Focus on Relations between and among East Central Europe and especially Southeastern Europe and EU-Balkan relations

The COVID-19 pandemic, climate emergencies and multiple crises caused by the war in Ukraine have major implications for Europe’s security and geopolitics. A core goal of post-Cold War Europe was to progress with the enlargement project through systematic transformations, but these processes have been disrupted and the diverging trajectories of post-socialist countries need investigation, at the same time placing them in a global context.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

• Between East and West: 
  Comparative research on contemporary economic and political relations between Western Europe and Central and Eastern European states
• Western Balkans and the EU: Possibilities and hindrances to further EU enlargement*
  What are the dynamics for the EU integration processes and the political, economic, social and cultural implications for the Western Balkans? How is the European perspective in the countries of the Western Balkans shaped, promoted, or challenged?

• Environment and Sustainability* 
  How do Southeastern European countries align with EU environmental standards and how can these countries transition to more sustainable societies? What regional and cross-border cooperation possibilities exist for sustainable practices in the region?

• Cultures of Memory* 
  What are the implications of different narratives (e.g., digital, popular, and official) and their temporalities for identity construction and who are the creators of these narratives in physical, online, and imaginary spaces of memory?

Participation in the iASK initiative, EU Balkan Observatory with short policy papers and analyses is highly recommended for all new scholars.

*Applicants from Southeastern Europe and the Balkans will be given priority.

2. Creative Cities – Sustainable Regions: Case Studies in Regional Development, Resilient and Sustainable Societies and Institutions

 The flagship program at iASK is called KRAFT: Creative Cities and Sustainable Regions. We are looking for innovative applications that address complex regional development initiatives and ideas that transform into public policy to increase the vitality and sustainability of regions and micro-regions. An important aspect to consider is the role of cultural heritage and its maintenance.

Topics include:

• From urban to rural: the role of creativity and locality, and strategies of placemaking in regional development across Europe
• Culture-and cultural heritage-based based development frameworks, cultural tourism
• Centres and peripheries: understanding patterns of inequality between regions, the impacts of deindustrialisation and neoliberal economies
• Well-being, liveability, re-development: How can we create sustainable and liveable spaces with and for communities
  
  

3. Civilizational Crisis and Global Change: Geopolitical Challenges, Climate Crisis and Survivability

 Research will be supported that addresses the complexity and challenges of the modern world including globalization, the escalation of war, accelerating climate change, fragile societies, disruptive technologies, overpopulation, and mass migration. Multi-disciplinary methodologies supporting the research project (including complexity theory, quantitative and qualitative analysis, data science, and modelling) are encouraged. Research should relate social research to natural sciences, as well as promote policy discussions at local, regional and global levels.

Topics include (but are not limited to):

• Geopolitical transitions and a new global order in transition – the formation of national and international political communities and their social, cultural and economic ramifications. Local conflicts, human security and migrations in diverse geopolitical contexts
• Agency and spaces for social and civil activism in the face of war and in struggles for peace. The role of international organisations in times of war and policrisis
• The role of AI and digital ecosystems in future- peace- and democracy-building, public services, health and education
• Environmental humanities: ecological civilization, social impacts of climate adaptation practices, local resilience strategies
  
  

Eligibility: The scholarship is open to applicants with advanced university degrees. Two categories of researchers are awarded:

Senior researcher: A senior professor or researcher (academic doctorate, habilitated associate professor) in any higher education or academic institution (university or research institute). In exceptional cases, expert applicants without a doctorate, but with demonstrated outstanding academic and professional achievements (scientific and artistic) may also apply. All must have at least 10 years of professional experience in their respective fields. Based on professional experience, scholarship levels range from 500,000-650,000HUF per month.

Early-career researcher: Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) be a doctoral student or doctoral candidate (who has completed their coursework) and their research must not be supported by other sources of funding; 2) hold a PhD/DLA degree. All must have 1-3 years of experience in higher education or research, and at least 3 publications in national or international journals. Based on professional experience, scholarship levels range from 350,000 to 450,000HUF per month.

The Selection Committee may reclassify the fellowship between senior and early-career candidates and will decide on the scholarship level. Selected applicants might be invited for a personal interview as well.

ONLY APPLICATIONS IN ENGLISH ARE ACCEPTED. The working language at the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg is English.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2024 (24.00CET)

Applications are to be submitted electronically (scanned and signed, in PDF and Word format) and sent to: [email protected];and hard copies by post to: László Z. Karvalics, Institute of Advanced Studies, Chernel utca 14., Pf. 4., Kőszeg, 9730 Hungary.

Deadline for sending the original, signed documents (date of postmark at the latest): December 15, 2024

The complete application package consists of:

• a completed application form (Application form_2025)
• Research proposal (maximum 5 pages)
  • The applicant submits a monthly research work plan, objectives, methodology, the expected scientific results and their relevance for science and society.
• signed declaration form (2) (Declaration of Honour_2025 and Personal data protection form_2025)
• a curriculum vitae with a photograph, including a list of publications (in the case of MTMT registration, the data and the publication list)
• a copy of your academic degree certificate(s)
• copy of identity card or passport (non-EU citizen)
• in the case of young researchers, a professional reference letter proving relevant professional experience

There is no application fee.

Evaluation of applications

The evaluation of proposals will be carried out by a Selection Committee composed of experts in the relevant disciplines. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the evaluation by January 20, 2025.

About the Grant

Research fellows receive a monthly stipend, which is not subject to income tax. To receive the grant, the recipient must have a bank account with a Hungarian financial institution. In addition to the stipend, iASK does not provide any other remuneration, reimbursement of expenses or equipment (e.g. laptop).

Successful applicants will sign a legal contract with the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg and perform their academic activities during the grant period. Contractual conditions and obligations of the scholarship will be detailed after the evaluation of successful candidates This includes the requirement of physical presence at iASK for 75% of the scholarship period.

Ineligibility

Applications are ineligible if:

• Counterfeit or false data is supplied in the application.
• If the applicant has failed to fulfil the requirements of grants contracted in the last three calendar years before the submission of this application.
• If the applicant acts as an evaluator in the assessment of the applications for this call.
• If the applicant is a (close) relative (as defined in the Civil Code of Hungary) of acting evaluators or decision-makers in the assessment process.
• If the applicant has been awarded an iASK research fellowship (minimum 7 months) within the last 3 years
  
• If the applicant has been awarded two iASK research fellowships (1-6 months) in the last 3 years.
  
  

Personal Data Protection: Personal data provided by the applicant will be processed by the iASK Research Department for the purpose of the application procedure. The same personal data may be accessed by the evaluators of the application in order to fulfil their statutory task. The personal data of successful applicants will be processed by the iASK Secretariat for the purposes of the grant contract and by the Finance and Administration Department for the purposes of the financial accounting of the grant. The legal basis for the processing of personal data is the performance of the public task defined in the Government Decree 311/2015 (X.28.) on the establishment of the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg. The applicant must notify any changes in his/her personal data before a contract is signed to: [email protected]. iASK’s Privacy Policy is available at www.iask.hu.

For further information, please contact: László Z. Karvalics (e-mail: [email protected]).