Nottebohm Fellowship Program for Book Historical Research

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Nottebohm Fellowship Program invites researchers from outside Antwerp to apply for funding to conduct book historical research using the collections of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus. The fellowship supports researchers studying topics related to books, printing, publishing, the book trade, readership, illustration, typography, provenance, and collecting practices. Preference is given to projects that make use of materials from both institutions. Researchers residing in Europe can receive up to €2,000, while researchers residing outside Europe can receive up to €3,000. The funding is strictly intended to cover transportation and accommodation expenses.

About the Nottebohm Fellowship Program

The fellowship is designed to support researchers who need to conduct research in Antwerp using specific collections held by the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and/or the Museum Plantin-Moretus. It provides researchers with an opportunity to undertake focused book historical research during a stay in Antwerp of at least one week. The programme is open to researchers of any nationality and career stage, provided they meet the residency and research requirements. Research Areas The fellowship supports research covering a broad range of subjects connected with book history.

Potential research topics include:

- History of books. - History of printing. - Publishing history. - Book trade. - Readership. - Book illustration. - Typography. - Provenance. - Collecting practices. Projects should be based on specific items or collections held by the participating institutions. Preference for Projects Using Both Collections Preference is given to research projects that use materials from both the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus. Researchers may therefore consider projects that connect relevant materials held by the two institutions and use their combined collections to address their research questions. How Much Funding Is Available? The maximum fellowship amount depends on where the researcher resides.

- Researchers residing in Europe: Up to €2,000.

- Researchers residing outside Europe: Up to €3,000.

The funding is strictly provided for transportation and accommodation expenses associated with the research stay. Who Can Apply? The fellowship is open to researchers of any nationality and career stage.

Applicants must:

- Reside more than 250 km from Antwerp. - Propose a research project focused on specific items or collections held by the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and/or the Museum Plantin-Moretus. - Undertake a research stay in Antwerp of at least one week. Research Stay in Antwerp Applicants must plan a minimum research stay of one week in Antwerp. The stay should be used to conduct research on the specific collections or materials identified in the proposal. The fellowship funding can help cover transportation and accommodation expenses connected with this research visit. Application Requirements Applicants must submit several documents as part of their application.

The application should include:

- A concise curriculum vitæ. - A short bibliography. - Two signed letters of recommendation. - An application letter. - A research proposal of 750–1,500 words. - A description of the collections to be studied. - The anticipated period of stay. Research Proposal The research proposal should explain the project and demonstrate how the collections at the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and/or the Museum Plantin-Moretus will contribute to the proposed research. The proposal must be between 750 and 1,500 words. Applicants should clearly identify the specific items or collections they intend to study and indicate how the planned research stay in Antwerp will support the project. Curriculum Vitæ and Bibliography Applicants must provide a concise curriculum vitæ together with a short bibliography. These materials should give the reviewers an overview of the applicant’s research background and relevant scholarly work. Letters of Recommendation Two signed letters of recommendation are required. The letters form part of the application package and should be submitted alongside the other required documents. Description of Collections Applicants must describe the collections or specific materials they intend to study. The proposed research should focus on items held by the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and/or the Museum Plantin-Moretus. Projects using materials from both institutions are preferred. Anticipated Period of Stay The application letter must state the applicant’s anticipated period of stay in Antwerp. The proposed research visit must be for a minimum of one week. Key Facts About the Nottebohm Fellowship Program

- Programme: Nottebohm Fellowship Program

- Research location: Antwerp

- Main institutions: Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and Museum Plantin-Moretus

- Maximum funding for researchers residing in Europe: €2,000 - Maximum funding for researchers residing outside Europe: €3,000

- Eligible expenses: Transportation and accommodation only

- Nationality: Researchers of any nationality can apply

- Career stage: Researchers at any career stage

- Distance requirement: Applicants must reside more than 250 km from Antwerp

- Minimum research stay: One week

- Research focus: Specific items or collections held by the participating institutions

- Preferred projects: Projects using materials from both institutions

- Research proposal: 750–1,500 words

- Recommendations: Two signed letters

- CV: Concise curriculum vitæ with a short bibliography

- Additional application information: Description of collections and anticipated period of stay

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nottebohm Fellowship Program What is the Nottebohm Fellowship Program? It is a fellowship programme supporting researchers from outside Antwerp who want to conduct book historical research using collections at the Hendrik Conscience