FAQs

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is the komex Fellowship?

The komex Fellowship supports early career researchers from institutions and countries with more limited access to international methods training opportunities in participating in komex courses and engaging with the broader community of KOMEX fellows and researchers at the Cluster of Excellence the Politics of Inequality.

What is the Goal of the Fellowship?

The goal of the komex Fellowship is to make methodological training more accessible to researchers who face structural barriers in accessing such opportunities, by providing them with the methodological skills and networks to leverage their research.

What Does the Fellowship Include?

The komex Fellowship includes participation in two komex courses (either one short and one compact course or one short and one main course), mentoring from a Cluster researcher, and access to our online community of komex fellows including an annual online colloquium.

What is the Difference Between the Basic and the Full Fellowship?

The Basic Fellowship covers the course fees for two online komex courses: either a combination of one short and one online compact course or a combination of one short and one online main course. The Full Fellowship supports participation in one online short komex course and one in-person compact or main course at the University of Konstanz, including course fees, travel, accommodation and meals up to the maximum fellowship value. Both types of fellowship include contact with a mentor from the Cluster and inclusion in our online community of komex fellow, including an annual online colloquium.

What Types of Courses Can Fellows Participate In?

Recipients of the Basic Fellowship can participate either a) in one online komex short course and one online komex compact course, or b) in one online komex short course and one online komex main course. 

Recipients of the Full Fellowship can participate either a) in one online komex short course and one in-person komex compact course, or b) in one online komex short course and one in-person komex main course. 

Short courses take place over two days and are always online; compact courses take place over three days and can be either in-person or online; and main courses take place over five days and can be either in-person or online. Please consult the course catalogue before applying for a fellowship.
 

ELIGIBILITY

Who Can Apply for the komex Fellowship?

Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from eligible countries or institutions with more limited access to advanced methodological training. See Which countries are considered eligible?

Which Countries are Considered Eligible?

We follow the EU classification of countries designated as low- to middle-income countries and Widening countries by the Horizon Europe programme.

• Low- to middle-income countries
  Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic), Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People's Republic), Kyrgyz Republic, Lao (People’s Democratic Republic), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic), Vietnam, Yemen Republic, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Horizon Europe Widening countries and outmost regions
  Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine
  Açores, Canarias, Guadeloupe, Guyane, La Réunion, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint-Martin
  Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

Can I Apply if I Am Originally From an Eligible Country But Currently Enrolled at a University in Germany or Another Non-eligible Country?

Yes, you may be eligible if you do not have access to sufficient funding for participation through your current institution or other funding bodies. In this case, please submit a signed statement explicating and confirming that you do not have other funding available for the komex course.

Can postdoctoral researchers apply?

Yes, postdoctoral researchers can apply for a komex Fellowship.

Does My Research topic Need to Match the Cluster’s Themes?

Yes, applicants’ research should connect to the Cluster of Excellence The Politics of Inequality and its research areas. Applicants should consult the Cluster's research agenda when preparing their application and specify this connection in their research statement.
 

FUNDING & FINANCIAL QUESTIONS

What is the Difference Between the Basic and the Full fellowship?

The Basic Fellowship covers the course fees for two online komex courses: either a combination of one short and one online compact course or a combination of one short and one online main course. The Full Fellowship supports participation in one online short komex course and one in-person compact or main course at the University of Konstanz, including course fees, travel, accommodation and meals up to the maximum fellowship value. Both types of fellowship include contact with a mentor from the Cluster and inclusion in our online community of komex fellow, including an annual online colloquium.

What Costs Are Covered By the Fellowship?

The Basic Fellowship covers the course fee for two online courses (a short course and either a compact or a main online course); the Full Fellowship covers the course fee for two courses (one online short course and either an in-person compact or an in-person main course) as well as eligible travel (up to 1200€), accommodation and food (up to 24€ per day) costs up to the stated maximum.

What Costs Are Not Covered?

Visa costs, insurance and personal costs are not covered by the komex Fellowship.

How Is the Funding Paid Out Or Reimbursed?

komex pays course fees, travel, and accommodation directly rather than transferring a lump sum to fellows.

Can I Combine the Fellowship With Other Funding Sources?

No, the komex Fellowship cannot be combined with other funding sources for the same stay or course participation.

Can I Finance the Fellowship Via Erasmus+?

If the applicant’s university is already an Erasmus+ partner of the University of Konstanz, applicants are encouraged to explore this option independently. komex is not responsible for Erasmus+ arrangements, and the fellowship is not designed for applicants who already have Erasmus+ funding for the same course participation or stay.
 

APPLICATION PROCESS

What Documents Are Required For the Application?

Applicants must submit the online application form, where they indicate three possible Cluster mentors, a CV (maximum 5 pages), a transcript of records (MA or PhD degree), and a one-page research statement.

How Do I Apply?

Applications are submitted through the online form on the komex webpage.

When Is the Application Deadline?

The application deadline is stated in the annual call for applications.

Can I Apply For Only One Course?

Yes, you can apply for a komex fellowship if you only plan to participate in a compact or main course. 

How Should I Choose the Three Potential Cluster Mentors?

Applicants should choose three potential Cluster mentors whose expertise is relevant to their research topic or methodological interests. They should consult the list of Cluster Principal Investigators. Candidates should NOT contact potential mentors before applying.

Should I Contact Potential Cluster Mentors Before Or During My Application?

No.

What should I write in the research statement?

In your research statement, which should not exceed one page, you should briefly describe your current research project, explain how it relates to the Cluster’s research areas and why the selected KOMEX course is relevant for your planned research. Applications will not be considered if the research statement exceeds 1 page.
 

SELECTION & EVALUATION

What Selection Criteria Are Used?

Selection is based on eligibility, motivation, fit between the applicant’s research project and the Cluster’s research areas, potential benefit from the fellowship, and academic performance.

Who Selects the Fellows?

The fellows are selected by the komex Director and the komex Academic Convenors.

When Will Applicants Be Notified Of the Results?

Applicants will be notified of the results by the beginning of November.
 

FELLOWSHIP PARTICIPATION

Is Participation In Additional Activities Mandatory?

Participation in the selected komex courses and the fellowship-related mentoring and feedback activities is mandatory. Participation in the social programme is voluntary.

What Is Expected From Fellows During the Programme?

Fellows are expected to participate actively in their komex course and engage with the komex community. Within a year after completing the komex courses, they are expected to submit and a manuscript based on research using the method they trained in and participate in an online colloquium where they receive feedback. Exact dates and further details will be communicated in due course.

What Do Cluster Mentors Do?

Cluster mentors meet with the fellow online before the course starts, read the fellow’s manuscript after sumission for the colloquium, and provide feedback during an online feedback session.
 

LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL MATTERS

Do I Need to Be Physically Present In Konstanz?

Physical presence in Konstanz is required for Full Fellows participating in an in-person compact or main course; Basic Fellows participate remotely in their online courses.

Will komex Arrange Travel And Accommodation For Fellows?

For Full Fellows, komex will arrange or directly pay eligible travel and accommodation costs where possible.

Can komex Support Me With Visa Arrangements?

Full Fellows who require a visa for their stay in Germany may receive an invitation or fellowship confirmation letter from komex for the purpose of their visa application. For a short stay of five days, usually only a Schengen visa is needed. Fellows are responsible for checking the applicable visa requirements, applying for the visa, and covering any visa-related costs; komex cannot provide support beyond confirming the fellowship status, and it does not cover visa fees or related costs.

Does the komex Fellowship Cover Insurance?

No, insurance costs are not covered by the komex Fellowships. Fellows are responsible for arranging adequate insurance for their participation, including health, travel, and liability insurance where applicable.

Can I Bring My Family With Me?

The komex Fellowship can only cover eligible costs for the fellow. komex cannot cover or arrange travel, accommodation, meals, childcare or other expenses of accompanying family members.

What Is the Expected Duration Of the Fellowship Stay In Konstanz?

The stay should normally correspond to the duration of the selected in-person komex course plus travel, i.e. five to six days.

Is Remote Participation Possible?

Remote participation is possible through the Basic Fellowship for online komex courses. Remote participation is not possible for in-person courses.
 

AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP

Are There Reporting Requirements After the Fellowship?

Yes, fellows are expected to submit a manuscript around ten months after the conclusion of the komex workshops and participate in an online colloquium where they receive feedback.

Will Fellows Remain Part Of the komex Community?

Yes, fellows are expected to remain connected to the komex virtual community after their course participation.

Are There Opportunities For Continued Collaboration With the Cluster?

The fellowship is intended to create opportunities for academic exchange, but continued collaboration depends on shared research interests among the fellows and the Cluster community.