Tilburg University in the Netherlands established the Witteveen Memorial Fellowship in Law and Humanities to honor the life and work of Professor Willem Witteveen, Professor of Jurisprudence at Tilburg Law School and member of the Dutch Senate, who tragically died in the MH17 plane crash in 2014.
The fellowship aims to enable a junior scholar (PhD candidate or postdoctoral researcher) to further develop their research in the field of law and humanities during a one-month research residency at Tilburg Law School.
Fellowship Details
- Location: Tilburg Law School – Tilburg University, Netherlands
- Duration: One month
- Intended period: Between February and May 2026 (spring semester preferred)
- Application deadline: September 22, 2025
- Objective: To promote research and teaching in law, rhetoric, narrative, image, performance, sound, and culture.
Fellowship Benefits
Benefits vary depending on the researcher’s place of residence:
For international researchers based outside the Netherlands:
- Coverage of travel expenses.
- Coverage of accommodation expenses.
For researchers based at a Dutch university:
- Financial support to the researcher’s institution to compensate for lost teaching hours.
- Reimbursement of commuting costs.
In addition, the Fellow will receive:
- Shared office space at Tilburg Law School.
- Access to the university library and all digital resources.
- Direct support from an assigned faculty member to maximize the fellowship experience.
Who Can Apply?
- Researchers in the final stages of their PhD.
- Holders of a PhD in law and humanities obtained within the last five years.
Expectations from the Fellow:
- Presenting their research at a research seminar.
- Teaching one guest lecture to students.
- Engaging in creative activities such as: film screenings, literary readings, exhibitions, or performance lectures (as past fellows have done).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only, no later than September 22, 2025, and should include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a list of publications.
- A writing sample (article or research chapter).
- A short research statement (approx. one page) explaining how the research relates to law and humanities.
- One letter of recommendation.
*Selection will be based on the submitted documents, and the selection committee consists of specialized professors from Tilburg Law School.
