Rijksmuseum × Musée du Louvre Cross-fellowship

The Rijksmuseum x Louvre Cross - Fellowship for research in art and cultural history

We welcome international, independent research proposals that contribute to academic discourse and foster strong bilateral connections between museums and the scholarly community. The purpose of the Fellowship Programme is to encourage and support scholarly investigation, and to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. The programme enables the selected Fellow to base their research at both the Rijksmuseum and the Musée du Louvre, and offers full access to collections, archives, libraries and curatorial expertise. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for the Fellow to participate in workshops, seminars and excursions to stimulate the exchange of knowledge across disciplines and borders.

For the 2026 Fellowship, proposals are particularly welcomed in the field of decorative arts and historical interiors, aligned with the collections and research focus of the Rijksmuseum’s departments of Decorative Arts and the Département des Objets d’Art at the Musée du Louvre.
 

Rijksmuseum × Musée du Louvre Cross-fellowship/Post-doctoral researcher hosting” programme

This Fellowship offers early career scholars the opportunity to conduct postdoctoral research into objects held in the collections of both the Rijksmuseum and the Musée du Louvre. Candidates are invited to submit a research proposal that draws on these objects as subject material and as sources of historical information.

The Cross-Fellowship is primarily intended for candidates whose research focuses on the historical role and symbolic meaning of objects, material culture, or the societal contexts in which these artefacts were produced, used and interpreted. Therefore, proposals exclusively focused on artistic style, oeuvres or art techniques are not eligible.

A joint working space for the Fellow will be provided in order to stimulate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience. The Fellow will be granted access to all relevant museum resources, including the Research Library Collections, collection documentation the Rijksmuseum's archives, as well as the Centre d’Études et de Documentation of the Département des Objets d’Art at the Musée du Louvre. Members of the curatorial staff of both museums will act as academic advisors to the Fellow.

Conditions

The Fellow is expected to be present and to participate fully in the scientific and academic life of both museums. The appointment lasts twelve months, with the Fellow spending six months at the Rijksmuseum and six months at the Musée du Louvre. During each residency period, the Fellow will be advised by a curator at the respective institution, who will act as the primary contact person for the research.

Administrative support is provided by the Direction des Études Muséales et de l’Appui à la Recherche (DEMAR) of the Musée du Louvre and by the Academic Programmes Department of the Rijksmuseum.

Eligibility

• The Fellowship is open to postdoctoral candidates of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have completed their dissertation and obtained a PhD degree no more than five years prior to the application deadline (i.e. candidates who obtained their PhD in 2020 or later are eligible for the 2026 Fellowship).
• Researchers may specialise in art history, cultural history, museum studies or related disciplines.
• Candidates should demonstrate proven research capabilities and strong academic credentials.
• Applicants must be proficient in both English and French, written and spoken.

Funding

Fellowship stipends are awarded to support the Fellow’s study and research during the tenure of the appointment. Fellows are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, covering living expenses, and managing daily transportation. The stipend amounts to €45.000 (subject to taxes and deductions) for a twelve-month period commencing in September 2026, at the start of the academic year.

The Rijksmuseum will cover visa fees for the Fellow, but not for dependents.

In addition, the Cross-Fellowship includes funding for travel to conduct research in art collections and archives elsewhere in Europe, up to a maximum of €5.000 per year.

Application and procedure

The Rijksmuseum is committed to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. People with diverse backgrounds and experiences bring different perspectives to museum collections and activities, leading to new insights and strengthening institutional innovation. We therefore warmly invite applications from all candidates, regardless of social or cultural background, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.

Complete applications (including a cover letter, a research proposal of no more than two pages excluding bibliography, and a curriculum vitae) must be submitted by 8 February 2025 (8:00 PM CEST) via the Rijksmuseum’s online application system.

Applicants are advised to consult the Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policies of both the Rijksmuseum and the Musée du Louvre.

Further information

For general questions: fellowships@rijksmuseum.nl or recherche@louvre.fr
For academic questions: a.dencher@rijksmuseum.nl or olivier.gabet@louvre.fr

Partners and sponsors

This Cross-Fellowship is made possible by the Dr. Anton C.R. Dreesmann Fonds/ Rijksmuseum Fund, the France–Nederland Cultuurfonds, and the Institut Français NL