Eligible research topics
The fellowship is intended to promote book historical research on our collections. Research topics may include (but are not limited to):
- Materiality of the book
- Printing techniques and technologies
- Analytical bibliography
- Socio-economic history of printing offices
- Book trade and publishing history
- History of printing and the book market
- Circulation and distribution of printed materials
- Reading practices and readership studies
- Book consumption and literary culture
- History of libraries and private collections
- Print culture and society
- Philological approaches to printed texts
- Edition history, reprints, and editorial practices
- Transmission and reception of texts
- Book illustration and visual interpretation
- Illustration techniques in printed books
- Interplay between text and image
- Graphic design and layout in book production
- Iconography in printed materials
- Visual culture of print
- History of typography and type design
- Paper, binding, and book production techniques
- Binding research
- Provenance research and ownership history
- History of collecting and collecting practices
Who can apply?
The research grant is intended for researchers of all nationalities and at any level (early career, independent, or established scholars), whose place of residence is more than 250 km from Antwerp. The grant is intended to enable scholars to travel to Antwerp to conduct research on the collections of both institutions for a minimum duration of one week.
Successful applicants are expected to start their research visit within one year after the acceptance. Projects must relate to specific items or collections in either or in both institutions. The jury tends to favour applications that make use of items in both collections.
The grant provides a maximum of 2000 euros for researchers living in Europe and a maximum of 3000 euros for researchers outside Europe. The grant can only be used for transportation and accommodation.
Prospective grantees are invited to consult our websites for detailed information on the different collections and the available catalogues.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact curators Steven Van Impe (Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library) and Zanna Van Loon (Museum Plantin-Moretus).
How to apply?
Applications should contain:
- A concise curriculum vitæ of the applicant, with a short bibliography of relevant publications;
- Two letters of recommendation signed by persons who are well acquainted with the research field and the applicant's scholarly work;
- An application letter, which must include the following:
- A research proposal or project description of no less than 750 and no more than 1500 words with the research questions the applicant intends to answer and the methods that will be used
- A description or list of the items or specific collections that will be studied
- An indication of the anticipated period of the researcher’s stay in Antwerp.
Applications should be submitted by emailto both steven.vanimpe@antwerpen.be and zanna.vanloon@antwerpen.be by 1 October 2026.
Notification process
A jury will award the grants based on the proposal’s relevance to at least one of the institutions, as well as its merits, feasibility, and overall significance.
Applicants will be notified of the decision by 1 November 2026. Successful applicants are expected to start their research visit within one year after the acceptance.
The grant will be paid after the conclusion of the research period, based on proof of costs for each item on the budget
What do we expect?
Successful applicants are to mention the grant in all publications, including articles, books, book chapters, presentations, or posters, based on research conducted with the grant’s support. We look forward to receiving copies (print/digital) of publications based on research conducted with the grant.
The grantees may be asked to conduct an on-site, hybrid, or online workshop on their research.
The curators of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library and the Museum Plantin-Moretus will support the grantee in their research. This includes an intake interview, a personal introduction to the collections and the available instruments, and regular feedback sessions.
Disclaimer:
Please be aware that AI models and AI search engines tend to make up references, titles, or materials that do not exist or are not available in our collections. Applications containing incorrect or non‑existent references will not be considered.