Goethe-Institut and documenta archiv |documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH will be awarding two fellowships to international scholars, artists, and curators taking place from 1 May 2026 to 31 October 2026. This call for applications is particularly extended to researchers from contexts which have received scarce representation in the local artistic and academic scene. The awardees will be invited to work in Kassel for six months on a topic which opens up new perspectives on documenta and its transnational links while drawing on the abundant holdings available at documenta archiv.
Fellows will benefit from a working environment featuring a wealth of material and object availability, interaction with scholars and artists on site, active involvement in the research and event programming of the awarding institutions, as well as organizational and professional support. Presentation of research results in Kassel as well as in publication/publishing forums with international visibility is desired.
This Goethe-Fellowship at documenta archiv allows for transdisciplinary research into a broad range of issues in aesthetics, art, and contemporary history along the documenta exhibitions. It is also possible to examine themes involving individual actors or groups, curatorial and artistic practices, and/or the mechanisms of art production, presentation, and reception with a view to documenta. This program aims to provide a venue to critically reflect on Western-European- / North-American-influenced discourses as well as to develop alternative perspectives.
Qualifications and requirements desired:
- Excellent knowledge of modern and contemporary art as well as a strong interest in the research areas outlined in the Call for Applications.
- Experience with archival research; demonstrated accomplishments from projects completed in a field of scholarly, artistic, or curatorial research.
- Residence in Kassel required during the fellowship
- Demonstration of knowledge of the German language, ideally at the C1 level
- Applications from researchers based in Germany or in German-speaking countries cannot be considered
Services:
- The fellowships will be carried out from 1 May 2026 to 31 October 2026.
- Funding will be provided in the amount of 2,000 euros per month. A health insurance policy must be in place at the fellow’s own costs; proof of coverage must be provided. Travel allowances are available.
- Goethe-Institut will provide fellows with support in applying for visas as well as other travel formalities for their country of origin. After arrival in Germany, documenta archiv will provide fellows with support in interacting with authorities, finding accommodation, etc.
- While carrying out their research, fellows will have comprehensive access to the holdings of documenta archiv and will receive support for their work from the academic staff at the archive.
- documenta archiv will introduce fellows to academic practice in Germany.
Application process:
Applications must be handed in online via the application portal of the Goethe-Institut. Please find further information on the Fellowship as well as the link to the application portal on the Goethe-Institut’s
website, where the link will be made available on 8 January 2026.
The application should be in German (in justified exceptional cases, in English) and encompass:
- Completed online application form
- brief biography
- abstract of the research project being planned, including time schedule and a proposal for presentation of the results
- curriculum vitae (incl. proof of German and other language skills)
- two reference letters
- Applications from researchers based in Germany or in German-speaking countries cannot be considered
The application deadline is 5 February 2026, 12 AM (CET). Applicant selection will be carried out by a committee with representation for documenta archiv and Goethe-Institut.
If you have any questions, please contact:
- Regarding the fellowship: Eva Schmitt, Head of Department Visual Arts at Goethe-Institut, e-mail:
documentafellowship@goethe.de
- Regarding documenta archiv: Birgitta Coers, Director documenta archiv; Martin Groh, Research Associate documenta archiv, e-mail:
archivdirektion@documenta.de
