Johan Huizinga Fellowship

We welcome international, independent research proposals which open new perspectives on the Rijksmuseum’s collection, its history and activities. The purpose of the Fellowship Programme is to encourage and support scholarly investigation, and to contribute to academic discourses while strengthening bonds between the museum and universities. The programme enables highly talented candidates to base part of their research at the Rijksmuseum, and offers access to the museum’s expertise, collections, library and laboratories. Furthermore, it facilitates opportunities for Fellows to engage in workshops and excursions to encourage exchange of knowledge - both amongst themselves and the broader museum audience.

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Location: Amsterdam

Number of hours per week: 36

Closing date vacancy: 04 Jan 2026

The Johan Huizinga Fellowship for historical research

The Johan Huizinga Fellowship welcomes outstanding candidates to submit proposals for historical research into objects in the Rijksmuseum collection.

This Fellowship 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 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 endeavour to enable publication of the Fellow’s research, for example in the series Rijksmuseum Studies in History or in The Rijksmuseum Bulletin. A joint working space for the Fellows will be provided, 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. A member of the museum's curatorial staff will be acting as advisor to the Fellow.

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 The Dutch language is strongly recommended in regard to consulting primary and secondary research sources.

Funding

Fellowship stipends are awarded to help support a Fellow’s study and research efforts during the tenure of the appointment. The stipend of €39.000 for MA graduate/PhD Fellows or €45,000 for postdoctoral Fellows (subject to taxes and deductions) is for a period of twelve months commencing.

1 September 2026, the start of the academic year. The Rijksmuseum will cover visa fees for the Fellow, but not for dependents.

Application and procedure

The Rijksmuseum is committed to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. People with diverse backgrounds and experiences bring different perspectives to its collection and activities. This leads to new insights and enhances the museum’s innovative strength. We therefore warmly invite you to apply, regardless of your social or cultural background, sexual preference, gender, age or disability.

Complete applications have to be submitted through our online application system.

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Further information

Applications can be submitted until Sunday 4 January. Applications received after 4 January cannot be considered.Please apply via the Rijksmuseum website. We are unable to process applications submitted by email.

Manager of Academic Programmes (fellowships@rijksmuseum.nl).

Made possible by Johan Huizinga Fund.