Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin: Living and Working

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© Maurice Weiss

Living and Working

The Wissenschaftskolleg’s charter commits it to “giving recognized academics the opportunity to carry out research work of their own choosing in Berlin”. The Rector and the staff regard it as their task to offer the most favorable conditions possible for the research projects of the invited scientists and scholars (Fellows). As a rule, the Fellows come to Berlin for one academic year (September 16 to July 15). In addition, there are specific funding programs designed for shorter stays of three to five months. Scholarly life at the Kolleg is shaped by the Fellows themselves; we aim to keep it as free as possible from external obligations. The partners and children of Fellows are also welcome and are an integral component of the community. This “learning community” is borne by openness toward and curiosity about the perspectives of other disciplines and academic cultures.

The following compiles the most important information regarding residence at the Wissenschaftskolleg.

Financial Arrangements

The individual financial agreements that the Rector concludes with each Fellow aim to make it possible for the invited Fellows to enjoy their residency without any income losses. But since the Wissenschaftskolleg itself has only limited and public funds, whose use the Rector is accountable for, the home institutions have to be involved in the negotiations from the start.

Financial Arrangements

Apartment

The Wissenschaftskolleg has several one-room apartments and 29 two- to five-room apartments that can be leased to the Fellows. The apartments are fully furnished and equipped. If possible, each Fellow will be allotted a workroom. In addition, several guest rooms serve as short-term accommodations for research guests, former Fellows, or close relatives of the Fellows.

Services for Fellows

The Wissenschaftskolleg offers its Fellows a wide range of services: the Fellow Services support Fellows in all practical matters before and during their residencies (visa, insurances, finding schools and kindergartens, etc.). Preparatory intensive German language courses are offered before the beginning of the academic year, and accompanying German language courses of different levels and individual instruction are offered during the academic year. The Wissenschaftskolleg’s Library Service procures all needed media and information, carries out research beyond that, and mediates contacts to experts, archives, and other institutions. The IT Service offers Fellows individual assistance and support.

Services for Fellows

Academic Life

In the interest of making living together with about 40 Fellows from differing disciplines and nations as stimulating as possible, the Wissenschaftskolleg has certain routines: the Colloquium, the common meals, and the residency duty. Aside from that, the Fellows themselves shape academic life with the support of the Kolleg. Event rooms of various sizes are available for the Fellows’ work groups. Fellows also have the possibility to invite guests for joint research work.

Services for Partners and Families

The Fellows’ partners and children are an important part of the community that forms in the course of the academic year in Grunewald district. So the Kolleg offers accompanying partners, too, the support of the Library, the IT Services, and the institute’s other services and the installation of a workplace.

Services for Partners and Families