Uncertainty has become a defining feature of global crises, describing the unpredictable social, economic, and political dynamics witnessed around the world. In Europe, the rise of right-wing populism is threatening democracy. We are confronting new and complex challenges resulting not only from geopolitical upheavals, such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from the uncertainty on Wall Street brought about by the trade war between the US and China as well as from climate change, health crises, and a lack of trust in AI. In addition, far-reaching political reforms in education, science, and research, particularly in the US, are threatening academic freedom – and can be expected to have further consequences. The topic of “uncertainty” is thus assuming greater importance in academic and public discourse as relating to its impact on individual and societal decision-making processes. This uncertainty creates a fundamental need for orientation – for individuals, but also for groups and society at large.
This need for orientation goes deep and requires taking new perspectives and separating this state from other form of openness: While in decision-making situations “risk” may refer to known, calculable alternatives and “uncertainty” may refer to known, but no longer calculable alternatives – the even more pervasive “uncertainty” that inspired the program is one where neither alternatives nor probabilities are known anymore.
The interdisciplinary, international Scholarship Program “Uncertainty” by ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS reacts to these diagnoses of the times. It brings together perspectives from Humanities, Social Studies, Economics, and Law shedding light on this complex issue. The program includes scholarships for different stages of Ph.D. research. Furthermore, we foster ideas, interdisciplinary exchange, mutual learning, and networking through workshops and annual conferences.
We currently offer scholarships for a second year starting in early 2026. You can find further information and the current Call for Applications here. The first call for applications took place in 2024, you can watch the opening discussion "Uncertainty: on a current diagnosis and ways of coping with turbulent times" here.
Deadline: 30 June 2025
Contact person:
Dr. Anna Hofmann, Director/Head of Research and Scholarship, hofmann@zeit-stiftung.de
Academic Advisory Board
Prof. Dr. Michael Grünberger (Bucerius Law School, Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Jörn Leonhard (University of Freiburg)
Prof. Dr. Sofia Näsström (Uppsala University)
Dr. Colin von Negenborn (University of Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Cláudio Pinheiro (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro)
Dr. Lucas von Ramin (Technical University of Dresden)
Prof. Dr. Shalini Randeria (Central European University, Vienna)
Prof. Dr. Ranabir Samaddar (Calcutta Research Group)
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schwenker (ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS / HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management)
Prof. Dr. Andreas Zick (Bielefeld University)
