Descartes Theme-Group Fellowships
Descartes Theme-group Fellowships are awarded to scholars working together as part of the ‘Creating a knowledge society in a globalizing world (1450-1800)' project, a long term collaboration between the Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities (Utrecht University), the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (Berlin) and the Huygens ING (The Hague).
About Descartes Theme-Group Fellowships
Descartes Theme-groups work on research topics that provide a historical and philosophical perspective on scientific developments that have a major impact on society. Descartes theme-groups are made up of a group of scholars working in flexible constellations at one of the various participating institutes.
The first group’s project, ‘Creating a knowledge society in a globalizing world (1450-1800)’ will investigate the historical roots of the global knowledge society to increase our understanding of the knowledge society in a global context. Members work at NIAS (Amsterdam), Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities (Utrecht University), the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (Berlin) or the Huygens ING (The Hague). Theme-group members at NIAS are offered a residential fellowship.
Practical Information
- Descartes Theme-group members hold a fellowship for the months spent at NIAS
- Conditions for Individual Fellowships apply:
– International Scholars are eligible for subsidised accommodation (see also Facilities for Fellows), a personal study, research facilities, one international return ticket and a junior or senior monthly stipend depending on financial circumstances and academic seniority.
– Scholars from the Netherlands are eligible for a set commuting allowance (see also Facilities for Fellows), a personal study and research facilities. Fellows at Dutch universities may be eligible to claim teaching and management replacement funds depending on financial circumstances and seniority.
Application and Selection
- Descartes theme-group fellowships are by nomination only
- The Descartes Centre nominates the theme-group research project and members
- Selection in consultation between the NIAS Rector and Director of the Descartes Centre
Current and former theme-groups
- 2015-2016: Knowledge and the City
- 2016-2017: Science in the City
- 2017-2018: Borders and the Transfer of Knowledge
About the Descartes Centre
The Descartes Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities is a joint collaboration of all seven Faculties at Utrecht University. The Descartes Centre contributes to the social and political debate by critically reflecting on the foundations and the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the role of rhetoric in these processes.
NIAS- Descartes partnership
The Descartes Theme Group is a new initiative between NIAS and the Descartes Centre. The program was initiated in 2015 with the aim of encouraging scholars from The Descartes Centres’ scientific partners, particularly the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (Berlin) and the Huygens ING (The Hague), to work together. The first theme group starts at NIAS in April 2016. The cooperation is expected to run for a preliminary period of three year.