Researchers working at the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, democracy, ethics, and society now have an exciting opportunity to advance their work through the IWM Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026–2027. Hosted by the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in Vienna, Austria, this prestigious fellowship supports interdisciplinary research exploring how digital technologies are reshaping modern societies.
Applications are currently open, with a deadline of 21 September 2026. The fellowship welcomes scholars from around the world whose research aligns with Digital Humanism and addresses some of today’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.
Background & Fellowship Overview
The Digital Humanism Programme was established by the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM) in 2022 in response to the growing influence of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and automation on societies worldwide.
Developed in close collaboration with TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) and inspired by the internationally recognized Vienna Manifesto on Digital Humanism, the programme promotes interdisciplinary dialogue between computer science, social sciences, humanities, public policy, law, ethics, and other academic disciplines.
Rather than viewing technology solely through a technical lens, the fellowship encourages researchers to investigate how digital transformation affects democracy, governance, human rights, inclusion, justice, and social development.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 fellowship cycle, the programme focuses on three major research themes:
- Democracy and governance
- Inequality and social justice
- Opportunities and potential of digital transformation
The programme receives support from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure together with the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, reflecting its growing international significance.
Fellowship Focus Areas
Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative interdisciplinary research projects related to Digital Humanism, including topics such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Ethical AI development
- Digital governance
- Democracy and technology
- Human rights in the digital age
- Algorithmic fairness
- Social justice
- Digital inclusion
- Cybersecurity and society
- Digital surveillance
- Responsible innovation
- Human-centred technology
- Technology policy
- Platform governance
- Digital transformation
- AI regulation
- Robotics and society
- Human-computer interaction
- Emerging technologies
- Public policy and digital innovation
The fellowship particularly values projects that explore both the opportunities and risks created by rapid technological advancement.
Who Can Apply?
The IWM Digital Humanism Fellowship is designed for researchers from a wide variety of academic backgrounds.
The programme actively encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and welcomes applicants working in fields such as:
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Law
- Economics
- Sociology
- Philosophy
- Ethics
- Media Studies
- Communication
- International Relations
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Humanities
- Digital Studies
- Innovation Studies
Researchers whose work bridges technical and social disciplines are especially encouraged to apply.
What Fellows Can Expect
Selected fellows become part of an internationally recognised academic community at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.
During their fellowship, participants have opportunities to:
- Conduct independent interdisciplinary research
- Collaborate with leading international scholars
- Engage in seminars, workshops and public discussions
- Exchange ideas across multiple academic disciplines
- Contribute to global debates on AI, ethics and digital governance
- Build international research collaborations
- Participate in IWM academic activities and networking events
The fellowship offers an intellectually stimulating environment where scholars can further develop innovative research while contributing to important conversations about the future of technology and society.
Current Research Themes
Recent Digital Humanism Fellows have explored a diverse range of cutting-edge topics, including:
- Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence
- AI-assisted judicial decision-making
- Human-centred AI
- Digital surveillance and human rights
- AI bias in natural language processing
- Human-robot interaction
- Universities and digital innovation
- Digital geopolitics
- Digital governance
- Technology and democracy
These projects demonstrate the programme’s commitment to supporting research that combines technological expertise with social responsibility.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Digital Humanism Fellowship 2026–2027 are currently open.
Application Deadline: 21 September 2026
Interested researchers should prepare their application well before the deadline and ensure that their proposed research clearly aligns with one or more of the programme’s priority themes.
Why This Fellowship Matters
As artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue transforming governments, economies, education, healthcare, and everyday life, the need for thoughtful, interdisciplinary research has never been greater. The IWM Digital Humanism Fellowship offers researchers a unique platform to examine these developments while helping shape ethical, inclusive, and democratic approaches to technological innovation. For scholars interested in AI governance, digital ethics, social justice, or the future of democracy, this fellowship provides an outstanding opportunity to contribute to one of Europe’s leading research initiatives on Digital Humanism.
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