[Gerda Henkel Foundation](https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en)

May 27, 2026

Up to 3 scholarships per research group; monthly rates: €2,760 (postdoc), €3,720 (postdoctoral lecture qualification), plus travel/material aid; max. duration 36 months.

Supports interdisciplinary research groups investigating the cultural perception and lived experience of abandoned cities across historical periods and world regions.

--- ## Description This program funds interdisciplinary research groups exploring how abandoned cities ("lost cities") are perceived, interpreted, and remembered in different cultures and historical contexts. Rather than focusing on why cities are abandoned, the emphasis is on the meanings, narratives, and cultural roles ascribed to these sites—such as identity negotiation, memory, myth-making, and critiques of progress. Projects should address these themes through collaborative research by teams of at least two scholars, fostering new insights into the cultural, political, and artistic significance of urban abandonment. --- ## Due Dates - May 27, 2026: Next application submission deadline (full application) A call for proposals is announced annually. --- ## Funding Amount - Each research group may apply for up to three scholarships (PhD and/or postdoctoral) plus travel and material costs. - Monthly rates (as of January 2024): - Postdoctoral scholarship: €2,760/month - Research scholarship after postdoctoral lecture qualification: €3,720/month - Family grant: €480/month for first child, €120/month for each additional child (children under 18) - Overseas bonus: €690–930/month (depending on qualification) - Travel and material aid: as required (must be justified) - Maximum project duration: 36 months. --- ## Eligibility - Only research groups (minimum of two scholars) are eligible; individual applications are not permitted. - Applicants must be postdoctoral researchers or scholars with a postdoctoral lecture qualification, based at a university, working in the humanities or social sciences. - Projects must be interdisciplinary and align with the program’s thematic focus. - No restrictions on nationality or location. - The project lead must be actively involved in the research and may apply for a scholarship. - A maximum of three scholarships can be requested per group. - No funding for overhead costs, college/tuition fees, or staff positions subject to social insurance. - Only full-time scholarships are awarded; recipients cannot simultaneously draw a salary or pension. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically in English or German using the [online application form](https://forms.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/ghs?kind=lcforp2&lang=en). - Required documents: - Research proposal (max. 8 pages, plus bibliography) - Work plan and time schedule - Detailed cost calculation (all costs in euros) - CVs and publication lists of all applicants and participants - Academic certificates (no Bachelor certificates) - All documents should be uploaded as PDFs (max. 6 MB per file). - Letters of recommendation (if required) must be uploaded by the referees via the [recommendation form](https://forms.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/assess/ghs?kind=assess&lang=en). - Do not send documents by email or postal mail. - Incomplete applications will not be considered. --- ## Additional Information - The program is highly competitive, with a recent approval rate of approximately 16.7%. - Projects must ensure all research staff funded by scholarships conduct independent research published under their own names. - No overhead or indirect costs are covered. - Publishing aid is available only for projects already funded under this program, and only for monographs or edited volumes (not individual articles). - Applications for smaller research activities (contracts for work) are possible but not specified with fixed rates. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Lost Cities Funding Programme](https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/funding-programme-lost-cities?page_id=58) - [Electronic Application Form](https://forms.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/ghs?kind=lcforp2&lang=en) - [General Funding Guidelines](https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/grants) - [FAQ for Applicants](https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/faq_eng?page_id=74858#74920) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Position | Email | |--------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Dr. Birte Ruhardt | Head of Executive Board’s Office | ruhardt@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de | | Merle Weidtmann, M.A. | Assistant Executive Board’s Office | weidtmann@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de | | General Inquiries | | info@gerda-henkel-stiftung.de | | Phone | | +49 (0)211 93 65 24 - 0 | | Contact Form | | [Contact Page](https://www.gerda-henkel-stiftung.de/en/contact) | ---

Lost Cities

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