The Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp are offering the Nottebohm Fellowship Programme for the 2025-26 academic year. This prestigious fellowship provides travel grants to researchers worldwide who wish to study the history of early printed books from the 15th to the 18th century, focusing on the unique collections held by these Belgian institutions. The program aims to foster in-depth research and scholarly engagement with historical printed materials.
Key Takeaways
- Opportunity: Travel grants for research on early printed books (15th-18th century).
- Institutions: Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and Museum Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp.
- Eligibility: Researchers of any nationality and career stage, residing over 250 km from Antwerp.
- Grant Amount: Up to €2,000 for European fellows, up to €3,000 for non-European fellows (covering travel and accommodation).
- Research Stay: Minimum of two weeks, to be completed within one year of acceptance.
- Deadline: October 1, 2025.
Fellowship Focus and Eligibility
The Nottebohm Fellowship Programme is designed to support scholarly exploration of the rich collections housed within the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus. Successful projects must demonstrate a clear connection to specific items or collections within these institutions. The selection criteria emphasize the relevance of the proposed research to at least one of the host institutions, alongside the academic merit, feasibility, and significance of the research plan.
Two short-term fellowships are awarded annually to researchers at any stage of their career, provided they are based more than 250 kilometers away from Antwerp. This ensures that the grant facilitates travel for those who would otherwise face significant logistical and financial barriers to conducting their research in person.
Application Process and Requirements
Prospective fellows must submit a comprehensive application package by the October 1, 2025 deadline. The required documents include:
- A concise curriculum vitae (CV) with a relevant bibliography.
- Two signed letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s research area and scholarly work.
- An application letter detailing a research proposal of 750 to 1500 words. This proposal should clearly outline the research questions, methodologies, specific collections to be examined, the intended duration of the research stay, and a budget proposal for eligible expenses.
Award decisions are expected to be communicated by November 1, 2025. Upon successful completion of the research period, fellows will receive the grant payment after submitting a detailed written report (1000-2500 words) and proof of expenses. Fellows are also expected to acknowledge the grant in any resulting publications and provide copies of their work to the host institutions. Opportunities for public outreach, interviews, or workshops may also be extended to fellows.
Support and Collaboration
Throughout their research stay, fellows will receive dedicated support from curators at both the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus. This support includes an initial intake interview, introductions to the relevant collections and research tools, and regular feedback sessions to aid in the progress of their research. This collaborative environment ensures that fellows can make the most of their time in Antwerp and effectively engage with the historical materials.
