Miller Fellowships in Exile Studies
Sponsored by the Martin Miller and Hannah Norbert-Miller Trust, funding is available for researchers in the field of German-speaking exile in the UK wishing to work at the Institute's Germanic Studies Library and its Archives. The Exile Archive dates to 1996-97, when the collection was established at the then Institute of Germanic Studies (of which the ILCS is the successor).
The Institute already held the papers of several individuals such as Rudolf Majut, Herbert Thoma and Berthold Auerbach, who were exiled from Germany and Austria during the 1930s as a result of persecution under the National Socialist regime. Since the Research Centre for German & Austrian Exile Studies was set up, the Institute has attracted further significant donations and bequests, among the most important being the papers of the Anglo-Austrian Society and the archive of Martin Miller and Hannah Norbert-Miller.
The Fellowship(s) are open to applicants from the UK and overseas. Candidates should have completed their doctorate and have a strong publications record. The Fellowship(s) are designed to provide a contribution to temporary living expenses in London, or to enable those in employment to take leave to further their studies. Awards are typically made for periods of between one and three months.
Visiting Fellows and Scholars currently based at the Institute
Tenure
The Fellowship(s) are tenable for the period stated (minimum period one month) between 1 October 2025 and 31 July 2026. Extensions to the original period of the Fellowship may be possible, but are subject to the same terms, and will not attract any additional financial support beyond the amount originally offered.
What the Institute Offers
The Institute offers shared office accommodation with wifi, internet/email, photocopying facilities, and access to the Institute's Germanic Studies Library and archives, the Senate House Library, and the libraries of other Institutes within the School of Advanced Study (e.g. the Institute of Historical Research, and the Warburg Institute). Fellows are offered free access to the Institute’s events, and are expected to participate as much as possible in the intellectual life of the Institute.
What Visiting Fellows Do
Fellows contribute to and enhance the scholarly activity of the Institute and the School of Advanced Study. In addition to giving a presentation at one of the Research Centre for German & Austrian Exile Studies' seminars, Visiting Fellows are invited to organise an event either during or resulting from their stay, or otherwise contribute to the work of the Institute. Fellows are also invited to place a recent, normally unpublished, piece of work in our open access repository, SAS-Space, and to contribute to the ILCS blog.
Publications resulting from research conducted during the tenure of the Fellowship must acknowledge the Institute and Research Centre for German & Austrian Exile Studies at the ILCS and, where appropriate, a copy should be deposited in the Germanic Studies Library or with the Institute. At the conclusion of their stay, Fellows are required to write a short report on the progress made in their research.
Accommodation
Living accommodation is not provided and Fellows should make their own arrangements. A list of hotels and guest houses is on our website, and the University of London Accommodation office may also be able to assist.
Financial Arrangements
The awards made are intended to contribute to the costs of accommodation during the Fellow’s stay in London. Payment is made direct to the award holder’s bank account at the beginning of the tenure of the Fellowship. Should the Fellow for any reason not take up the Fellowship, the funding must be immediately returned.
Visas
Fellows that do not have the right to reside and/or study in the UK will require a visa and must ascertain what category of visa is most suitable for them. You may be eligible to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which permits academics to visit for research purposes for periods of not more than six months.
Method of Application
Applicants should submit the application form by the closing date stated together with
• a statement detailing your research project and intended outputs (no longer than 1,500 words)
• a statement outlining the ways in which you would contribute to the work of the Institute (500 words)
• a curriculum vitae (no longer than 2 pp)
• a publications list (not more than 2 pp)
• the Equality and Diversity form (optional)
and arrange for two academic references specific to the Fellowship application to be sent to reach [email protected] by the closing date. Please ensure that the subject line reads 'Miller Visiting Fellowship Application 2025-26'.
Applicants can expect to be notified of the result of the competition by mid-July. Applicants are not called for interview.
Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of applications and references for the 2025-26 round is 6 May 2025.
Application Form
Guidelines [PDF] | Application form [PDF] | Equality and Diversity form [Word]