The fellowships are sponsored by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, which is also the main sponsor of the Marilena Laskaridis Chair of Modern Greek Studies at the University of Amsterdam, held by Prof. Dr. Maria Boletsi. 

These fellowships are offered annually on a competitive basis and by application. The fellowships aim to strengthen research in the field of Modern Greek studies at the University of Amsterdam and internationally, encourage academic collaborations and exchanges, and give the opportunity to young and more experienced scholars in this field to advance their research.

Who can apply?

Early-career scholars with a Ph.D. and more experienced scholars who wish to carry out part of their research in the field of Modern Greek Studies at the University of Amsterdam. The call is open to projects from all disciplines in the humanities and/or social sciences that engage with aspects of Modern Greek culture and/or history. Scholars pursuing comparative projects that may not focus (exclusively) on Greece but situate Modern Greek culture in broader, transnational contexts are also encouraged to apply. The call for applications is open both for scholars affiliated with other academic institutions (e.g., universities or research institutes) and independent scholars with a Ph.D.

To be considered eligible for these fellowships, the following criteria apply:

For the 5-month fellowship for early-career scholars:

• Applicants must have acquired their Ph.D. not earlier than 2015

For the 5-month fellowship for advanced scholars:

• Applicants must have acquired their Ph.D. between 2001 and 2015

NB: The selection committee retains the right to offer both fellowships to either early or advanced scholars depending on the quality of the submitted proposals in both categories.

For both fellowships:

• Applicants must submit an application along with all the required documents listed under “application procedure” before the provided deadline: March 1, 2021.

About the fellowships

• The duration for both fellowships is 5 months, to be spent at the University of Amsterdam. The fellows can decide to spent a term at the University of Amsterdam from 1 September 2021 to 31 January 2022 or from 1 February to 30 June 2022 (the starting date can be slightly adjusted depending on the applicant’s availability). Each fellowship offers a total amount of 7.500€ as a stipend by the Laskaridis Foundation to the fellow (1.500€ per month), with the purpose of covering accommodation, travel, and other basic living expenses during the period of the fellowship.
• The fellows are expected to be in Amsterdam for the duration of the fellowship and devote their time to research and writing related to their proposed project. The fellows are also expected to give at least one lecture, collaborate with other colleagues at the University of Amsterdam and participate in activities of the Modern Greek Language and Culture group and, more generally, in the intellectual life of the university.
• The fellows are required to agree to the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
• The research conducted during the period of the fellowship should lead to a concrete output in the form of (part of) a book, scientific article, grant proposal and/or other (to be specified in the application). At the end of the term of the fellowship, the fellows are asked to submit a report on the research and scholarly activities undertaken during the fellowship. The fellows are also asked to acknowledge the fellowship and its sponsor in any publication resulting from research made possible through the fellowship.
• The fellowship does NOT constitute an employment relationship with the University of Amsterdam. If the fellow already has another academic position, the fellow remains an employee of his or her own university or institute. The University of Amsterdam will thus not make social insurance contributions or contribute to pension or other insurances.
• The University of Amsterdam will provide the fellows with office space as well as access to university facilities and library resources.
• Fellows are responsible for arranging their accommodation, but the University can offer assistance in finding accommodation through the University Housing Service.

Application procedure

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents by 1 March 2021 as an email attachment in one PDF file to the following email address: AIHR-fgw@uva.nl

• A research proposal of max. 1500 words including the following sections: a) summary of proposed project b) description of project and objectives c) methodology d) intended output e) time-frame for the proposed research
• A motivation letter (max. 350 words) laying out the reasons for wishing to pursue this research project in the Netherlands and at the University of Amsterdam.
• A CV that follows the provided format.
• 1 letter of reference to be sent by email NOT by the applicant but directly by the referent to the above email address.

All submitted documents must be in English and should be submitted in one PDF file (with the exception of the letter of reference, to be sent by the referent directly).

Applicants must indicate and motivate clearly in their application whether they are applying for the early-career or the advanced scholars fellowship.

Candidates are also required to indicate whether they would be available in the fall or spring semester or both. In case an applicant would be available in both semesters, s/he can state their preference in the application.

Applications that meet all the formal criteria will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary group of senior scholars at the University of Amsterdam. Not all members of the selection committee will have expertise in Modern Greek studies.

Applicants will be notified about the results of the selection procedure by early April 2021.

Selection criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• The scientific quality and originality of the proposed research
• The quality of the applicant’s CV
• The feasibility of the proposed research within the given time-frame
• Motivation and specific reasons for wishing to conduct the proposed project in the Netherlands and at the University of Amsterdam

For questions regarding the practical aspects of the application procedure, please send an email to AIHR-fgw@uva.nl

For content-related questions concerning the application, you may contact Prof. Dr. Maria Boletsi at m.boletsi@uva.nl