The Lichtenberg-Kolleg focuses on close cooperation between international fellows and distinguished scholars from the Göttingen Research Campus, an exceptional research program from which young and emerging scholars also profit. Cooperating in topic-specific groups and workshops, Fellows-in-Residence are integrated into the local research network and simultaneously cross-fertilize the work of Göttingen scholars. With these measures, the Lichtenberg-Kolleg intends to promote collaborative research in the humanities and social sciences and to stimulate innovative research foci.

Internationally renowned scholars as well as promising and upcoming younger scholars are invited as Fellows-in-Residence. The selection process takes into consideration internationalization and gender equality. Potential fellows are sought not only in Western Europe and North America but also in Eastern Europe and Asia.