De Du Plessis-Mornay Fellowship

The Du Plessis-Mornay Fellowship keeps alive the memory of the theologian and politician Philippe Du Plessis-Mornay (1549–1623), who was the leading figure among French Protestants in his time. In the Netherlands, he remains renowned as one of Prince William of Orange’s most important collaborators and, as such, serves as a bridge between the Netherlands and France within French-speaking Protestantism.

Objective

On behalf of the Commission de l'histoire et de la Bibliothèque des Églises wallonnes, the Du Plessis-Mornay Fellow will conduct research into the history of French-speaking Protestantism in the Netherlands, utilizing source material from the collection of the Bibliothèque Wallonne, supplemented by material from the rich Special Collections of the Leiden University Libraries and the Print Room.

The grant/scholarship is awarded to one person for a period of one or up to two months. The maximum amount awarded is €1,500 per month.

The deadline for submitting research proposals is August 1, 2026.

Profile

• The fellowship is intended to cover a fellow’s travel, living, and research expenses. The fellow must conduct his or her research within the scope of the Bibliothèque Wallonne in the broadest sense of the term. Naturally, there must be a strong connection between the research proposal and the use of this Special Collection of the Leiden University Libraries.
• One of the Du Plessis-Mornay Fellows is requested to give an annual public lecture, the topic and location of which will naturally be discussed with the foundation.
• The Fellow will also contribute to the research climate of the Scaliger Institute and the UBL/Faculty through other meetings.
• The research in Leiden is conducted for the purpose of a publication; a short report is written for the Commission de l'histoire et de la Bibliothèque des Églises wallonnes.
• The Fellow donates a copy of the publications resulting from the fellowship to the Leiden University Library.
• The fellowship must be completed in the year of application, unless the review committee grants approval to deviate from this period.

Conditions

Applications for a Du Plessis-Mornay Fellowship must meet a number of conditions:

• If necessary, the applicant must personally apply for a valid visa for the duration of their stay in the Netherlands.
• The fellow is personally responsible for finding accommodation in the Netherlands (through the Housing Department of Leiden University) and for paying for it using the awarded fellowship funds
• When submitting a research proposal, the applicant must specifically indicate the relationship between the proposed research and the primary sources that will be examined and consulted within the Bibliothèque Wallonne and the Leiden University Libraries
• A list of printed works, manuscripts, or other materials to be consulted in the library, including call numbers;
• A start and end date for the proposed research;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A list of relevant publications authored by the applicant;
• Two letters of recommendation from two academic referees. The referees must send the letters directly to the coordinator of the Scaliger Institute by email or by mail to: K. van Ommen, Scaliger Institute, P.O. Box 9501, 2300 RA Leiden;
• Researchers who have not yet obtained their PhD must include a letter of recommendation from their supervisor(s)

Selection Committee

Applications for a Du Plessis-Mornay Fellowship are evaluated by a committee consisting of Prof. August den Hollander (Professor of Religious Heritage at VU University Amsterdam, chair of the Commission de l'histoire et de la bibliothèque des Églises wallonnes), Joost Röselaers (pastor of the Walloon Church in Amsterdam and chair of the Commission wallone), Celine Oldenhage, MA (Ph.D. candidate at Leiden University, Heritage Specialist at the Museum Catharijneconvent, and secretary of the Commission de l'histoire et de la bibliothèque des Églises wallonnes), and Dr. K. van Ommen (Curator of Western Printed Books at the UBL and coordinator of the Scaliger Institute).

Application Procedure

Once a year, a deadline is set for submitting applications (August 1 in 2026; February 1 starting in 2027). To apply, a form must be completed and sent to the coordinator by email or mail. The fellowship is advertised on the websites of the Scaliger Institute and Leiden University, as well as through other mailing lists and platforms.

Application Form

Applications for the Du Plessis-Mornay Fellowship may be submitted using the application form (see right) and sent to the coordinator of the Scaliger Institute, Dr. K. van Ommen, Leiden University Library, P.O. Box 9501, 2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands. Or by email to k.van.ommen@library.leidenuniv.nl.