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Entries open for the Nils Klim Prize

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026

The Nils Klim Prize annually honors early-career scholars under 40 from the Nordic countries for outstanding research in humanities, social sciences, law, or theology, with a monetary award of NOK 500,000 (~EUR 45,000). Nominations must come from academic peers and are strictly confidential, with the deadline for 2027 submissions on 15 June 2026. The prize is awarded in Bergen, Norway during the Holberg Week, following evaluation by a committee of Nordic scholars.

Overview

The Nils Klim Prize recognizes early-career scholars in the Nordic countries who demonstrate excellence in research and potential for continued scholarly impact.

Key points:

  • Target fields: Humanities, social sciences, law, theology

  • Awarded annually to scholars under 40 years old

  • Prize value: NOK 500,000 (~EUR 45,000)

  • Supports recognition and advancement of high-quality early-career research

Eligibility Criteria

Age and Career Stage

  • Candidates must be under 40 years at the nomination deadline

  • Time on parental leave or sick leave may be deducted from age calculation

Nationality and Affiliation

  • Candidate must be a citizen of a Nordic country

  • OR have a main affiliation with a Nordic research institution

Academic Standing

  • Must have demonstrated excellence in one of the eligible research fields

  • Early-career scholars with strong quality and potential are prioritized

Nominations

  • Self-nominations are not accepted

  • Nominations of organisations or groups are not considered

  • Nominations must be submitted by academics holding positions at universities, academies, or research institutions

  • All nominations are strictly confidential

Fields Eligible for the Prize

  • Humanities

  • Social sciences

  • Law

  • Theology

Nomination Process

Submission Method

  • Online submission only

  • Allows saving progress and returning later if needed

  • Documents must be in English or a Nordic language

Required Documents

  • Details of nominator and candidate

  • Nomination letter (1000–3000 characters in English)

  • Candidate CV and publication list in English

  • Writing samples: up to five selected works

    • Excerpts allowed for books; full books or dissertations should not be submitted

    • Include list of contents and references

Confidentiality

  • All nominations are strictly confidential

  • Must not be disclosed to nominee or others

Evaluation and Awarding

  • The prize is awarded by the Board of the Holberg Prize

  • Recommendations are provided by the Nils Klim Committee, composed of renowned Nordic scholars

  • Evaluation focuses on scholarly excellence, originality, and early-career potential

Timeline

  • Nomination deadline: 15 June each year

  • Laureate announcement: March following the deadline

  • Award ceremony: Early June during Holberg Week in Bergen, Norway

Prize Value

  • NOK 500,000 (~EUR 45,000)

  • Monetary award supports the continued research and development of early-career scholars

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Attempting self-nomination

  • Submitting nominations of groups or organisations

  • Exceeding writing sample limits or submitting full books/dissertations

  • Ignoring language requirements (documents must be in English or Nordic language)

  • Disclosing nomination information prematurely

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Who can nominate a candidate?

    • Any academic holding a position at a university, academy, or research institution.

  2. Can a candidate nominate themselves?

    • No. Self-nominations are not accepted.

  3. What documents are required for nomination?

    • Nomination letter, CV, publication list, and up to five writing samples.

  4. Are full books or dissertations accepted?

    • No. Only excerpts with contents and references may be submitted.

  5. What is the age requirement?

    • Candidates must be under 40 years old at the nomination deadline; parental/sick leave can be deducted.

  6. When is the prize awarded?

    • Laureates are announced in March, with the ceremony during Holberg Week in June.

  7. Are nominations confidential?

    • Yes. Nominations must not be disclosed to the nominee or any third parties.

Why the Nils Klim Prize Matters

The Nils Klim Prize provides international recognition and financial support to early-career Nordic scholars, promoting excellence in the humanities, social sciences, law, and theology. It encourages young researchers to pursue innovative and impactful scholarship while strengthening the academic community across Nordic countries.

Conclusion

For scholars under 40 in the Nordic countries, the Nils Klim Prize is a prestigious opportunity to gain recognition, financial support, and visibility for outstanding early-career research in eligible academic fields. Nominations for the 2027 prize are open until 15 June 2026.

For more information, visit The Holberg Prize.