New Fellowship Programme to Research the ECF Historical Archives

The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) Fellowship Programme supports academic and artistic research projects exploring European cultural cooperation, history, archives, and future visions. The programme offers grants of €5,000 for Academic Research Fellows and €10,000 for Artistic Research Fellows to conduct research using the ECF Historical Archives.

Overview of the European Cultural Foundation Fellowship Programme

The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) Fellowship Programme invites researchers and artists to explore the role of culture in shaping Europe as a shared space of cooperation, imagination, and solidarity.

The programme supports projects that engage with the ECF Historical Archives and examine the Foundation’s contributions to European cultural and intellectual exchange.

Through this fellowship, ECF aims to encourage new perspectives on European cultural history while connecting archival research with current social, cultural, and civic discussions.

Purpose of the Fellowship Programme

The main objectives of the ECF Fellowship Programme are to:

Support research on European cultural cooperation.
Encourage exploration of historical archives.
Promote academic and artistic approaches to European questions.
Strengthen understanding of culture’s role in European development.
Connect historical knowledge with contemporary challenges and future visions.

The programme welcomes both scholarly and creative interpretations of archival materials.

Research Themes and Focus Areas

Supported projects may explore areas including:

History of the European Cultural Foundation.
Cultural and intellectual cooperation in Europe.
European studies.
Cultural studies.
History and humanities research.
Social sciences research.
Artistic research.
Contemporary European issues.
Future imaginaries and cultural narratives.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that connect historical materials with broader questions about Europe today.

Use of the ECF Historical Archives

Fellows are expected to conduct substantial research using the ECF Historical Archives.

The archives include materials mainly available in:

English.
French.
German.
Dutch.

Additional languages may also appear within the collections.

The archival research should form the foundation of the proposed academic or artistic project.

Fellowship outcomes must be completed and publicly presented or published within two years after signing the Grant Agreement.

Available Fellowship Opportunities

The programme offers two fellowship categories:

Academic Research Fellowship

The Academic Research Fellowship supports researchers examining aspects of ECF’s history, networks, programmes, and contribution to European cultural cooperation.

Grant amount:
€5,000

The funding may support:

Research stays at the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU).
Travel expenses.
Accommodation costs.
Living expenses during the research period.

Supported research outcomes may include:

Peer-reviewed academic articles.
Research reports.
Academic essays.
Scholarly books.
Book chapters.
Specialist publications.

Artistic Research Fellowship

The Artistic Research Fellowship supports creative practitioners who use archival research to develop contemporary artistic responses.

Grant amount:
€10,000

The funding may support:

Research stays at HAEU.
Travel.
Accommodation.
Living expenses.
Artistic production activities.

Possible artistic outcomes include:

Films.
Audio works.
Podcast series.
Multimedia projects.
Visual artworks.
Exhibitions.
Installations.
Performances.
Literary works.
Hybrid creative projects.

Eligibility for Academic Research Fellowship

The Academic Research Fellowship is open to researchers working in fields such as:

European studies.
Cultural studies.
History.
Humanities.
Social sciences.

Eligible applicants include:

PhD researchers.
Postdoctoral researchers.
Early-career researchers within ten years of completing a master’s or doctoral degree.
Independent scholars with an active research profile.

Applicants should demonstrate research experience and the ability to conduct archival-based research.

Eligibility for Artistic Research Fellowship

The Artistic Research Fellowship is open to professional creatives working in areas including:

Visual arts.
Performing arts.
Film and audiovisual practices.
Podcasting.
Audio storytelling.
Documentary.
Journalism.
Literary practices.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Experience with research-based creative practice.
Ability to develop artistic work from archival materials.
A clear plan for sharing outcomes with audiences.

Expected Fellowship Outcomes

Fellows are expected to produce meaningful outputs that communicate their research findings or creative interpretations.

Academic outputs may include:

Scholarly publications.
Research papers.
Reports.
Essays.

Artistic outputs may include:

Creative works.
Public presentations.
Exhibitions.
Performances.
Digital productions.

All outcomes should contribute to discussions about European culture, identity, cooperation, and shared futures.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare proposals that include:

Research or artistic concept.
Connection to ECF archives.
Project methodology.
Expected outcomes.
Timeline.
Dissemination strategy.

Applicants should explain how their project contributes to understanding European cultural cooperation and contemporary issues.

Selection Considerations

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

Relevance of the Project

Projects should clearly connect with:

ECF history.
European cultural cooperation.
Archive-based research.

Quality of Research Approach

Applicants should demonstrate:

Strong methodology.
Clear research objectives.
Effective use of archival resources.

Originality and Impact

Projects should provide:

New perspectives.
Innovative interpretations.
Meaningful contributions to cultural discussions.

Dissemination Potential

Applicants should demonstrate how results will reach relevant audiences.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Clearly explaining the connection with ECF archives.
Showing how archival materials support the project.
Developing a realistic research plan.
Highlighting originality and public relevance.
Providing a strong dissemination strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting projects unrelated to ECF archives.
Providing unclear research objectives.
Failing to explain expected outcomes.
Ignoring audience engagement plans.
Proposing projects without a clear connection to European cultural questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the European Cultural Foundation Fellowship Programme?

The ECF Fellowship Programme supports academic and artistic research projects exploring European cultural cooperation, history, and future perspectives through research using the ECF Historical Archives.

How much funding is available through the fellowship?

The Academic Research Fellowship provides €5,000, while the Artistic Research Fellowship provides €10,000.

Who can apply for the Academic Research Fellowship?

PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers, early-career researchers, and independent scholars in relevant humanities and social science fields can apply.

Who can apply for the Artistic Research Fellowship?

Professional artists and creatives working in areas such as film, visual arts, performing arts, audio storytelling, journalism, and literary practices can apply.

What archives must fellows use?

Fellows are expected to conduct research using the European Cultural Foundation Historical Archives.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports academic research projects, artistic productions, creative works, publications, exhibitions, performances, and other outputs connected to archival research.

When must fellowship outcomes be completed?

Projects must be completed and publicly presented or published within two years after signing the Grant Agreement.

Can independent researchers apply?

Yes. Independent scholars with an active research profile may apply for the Academic Research Fellowship.

Conclusion

The European Cultural Foundation Fellowship Programme provides researchers and artists with an opportunity to explore Europe’s cultural history while creating new academic and creative perspectives. By supporting archival research, publications, and artistic productions, the programme strengthens understanding of how culture contributes to European cooperation, identity, and future possibilities.