The Johan Huizinga Fellowship for historical research

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The Johan Huizinga Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund offers early career scholars the opportunity to conduct historical research into objects in the Rijksmuseum collection. Candidates are invited to submit a research proposal that draws on these objects as subject material and as sources of historical information. The Johan Huizinga Fellowship is primarily intended for candidates whose focus is on the historical role and symbolic meaning of objects, on material culture and/or the societal context in which these artifacts were used. Therefore, please note that this fellowship does not welcome proposals with an exclusive art-historical focus (e.g. emphasising artistic style, oeuvres or art techniques). The Rijksmuseum will endeavor to enable publication of the Fellow’s research, for example in the series Rijksmuseum Studies in History or in The Rijksmuseum Bulletin. The Rijksmuseum will provide joint working space for the Fellows, in order to stimulate an exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience. Access will be given to all relevant resources in the museum, such as the Research Library Collections, collection documentation and the Rijksmuseum’s archives.

Eligibility

  • The Johan Huizinga Fellowship is open to MA graduates, as well as PhD students and post-doctoral candidates. MA Graduate/PhD Fellows are those who have completed their MA degree or whose proposal is embedded in the research plans of their forthcoming PhD dissertation, postdoctoral Fellows must have completed their PhD dissertation and obtained a PhD-degree on the date of application.
  • Fellowships are open to candidates of all nationalities and with varied specialisms. They may include researchers specialising in the fields of general history, cultural historical studies or art history.
  • Candidates should have proven research capabilities, academic credentials and excellent command of the English language – both written and spoken. Proficiency in a second language (ideally Dutch or German) is preferred but not required.

Funding

Fellowship stipends are awarded to help support a Fellow’s study and research efforts during the tenure of his/her appointment. The stipend of €29,250 for MA graduate/PhD Fellows or €33,750 for postdoctoral Fellows (subject to taxes and deductions) is for a period of nine months commencing 1 September 2020, the start of the academic year. The Rijksmuseum will cover visa fees for the Fellow, but not for dependents.

Application and procedure

Complete applications have to be submitted through the online application system. Please follow the link below to learn about the required documents for application.

Apply here

The Rijksmuseum is committed to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We therefore encourage all potential candidates to apply.

The closing date for all applications is 19 January 2020, at 6:00 p.m. (Amsterdam time/CET), but candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. All applications must be submitted online and in English. Applications or related materials delivered via email, postal mail, or in person will not be accepted.

Selection will be made by an international committee in February 2020. The committee consists of eminent scholars in the relevant fields of study from European universities and institutions, and members of the curatorial staff of the Rijksmuseum. Applicants will be notified by 15 March 2020. All Fellowships will start in September 2020.

Further information

  • For questions concerning the application procedure, contact the Coordinator of Academic Programmes (fellowships@rijksmuseum.nl).
  • For questions concerning the Johan Huizinga Fellowship, contact Gijs van der Ham, Senior Curator of History (G.vander.Ham@rijksmuseum.nl)