CALENDAR 2024

1 March 2024: Fellowship applications open.

1 June 2024:  Last date to submit questions to fellowships@obelaward.org  We will reply to all questions directly and may use your questions to update the FAQs posted on our website.

1 July 2024: Last date to receive applications.

10 September 2024: Announcement of the fellowship awards.

2025 – Start of course (and 3 months after the completion of the fellowship period, the final report must be submitted.)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

-When is the due date for my application submission?

Applications are due no later than 1 July 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

-What is the budget for?

The budget is for the fellow’s salary, travel, materials necessary for teaching, other expenses to allow the fellow to successfully teach at the academic institution in question, and up to 15% for university overhead and the University’s support (office space, etc.) of the fellow.

-How is the budget administered?

The Foundation will sign an agreement with the University in accordance with the budget submitted.  The University will administer the funds and report the payments to the Foundation.

-Has the Foundation set parameters for the salary amount for the teaching fellow?

No, each university is different, and the circumstances of each fellow may be different.

-How long should the course last?

The courses or subjects taught should be the normal length at the university.

-Must the course be within a faculty or School of Architecture?

Not necessarily, but it is important to remember that the courses  must relate to themes of the OBEL Award, which deals with the built environment and focuses on architecture, landscape architecture, design, and urban design.

-Can independent studies qualify as a course?

No, courses or subjects must be for a group of students, the minimum number is a seminar of 15 students/ subject.

-Is the award for just one fellow or could two people team teach?

Yes, team teaching by two is allowed.

-Can a current faculty member or adjunct/ part time teacher at the university in question be considered for the home university where the person is currently teaching?

No, the idea is to allow Universities to bring in new voices and approaches and contents, going beyond those already involved within the institution.

-Does the fellow have to come from the same city/country as the university?

No, the fellow may be from any place, but must teach at the University.

-Can teaching be undertaken remotely?

Teaching must be face-to-face.

-Can the Fellowships be renewed?

No, unfortunately it is a one-time fellowship per University and per person (Fellow).

-Can more than one theme be used for the fellowship?

No, an application should be for courses related to one theme.

PARAMETERS AND ELIGIBILITY OF THE 2024 EDITION

The application (link to online application) for the fellowship is a joint initiative of the academic institution and the potential fellow. Either the potential fellow or the University may initiate the process. Universities (faculty, school, or department) and the appropriate person who will be teaching (the fellow) must complete the application jointly for submission. Universities and university-level institutions, schools, etc. must be recognized institutions offering higher education degrees. Fellows, ideally, are working professionals with at least 5 years’ experience and cannot be current members of the faculty or the institution.

The OBEL AWARD Teaching Fellowship hopes that new voices, new subjects, and new pedagogies are incorporated into academia. The fellowship is meant to create a long-lasting impact, and further the yearly themes set by the OBEL AWARD. This is not a research grant, publication grant, nor is it geared to full-time academics.

The academic institution must guarantee the support of the fellow and show that the subject(s) taught by the fellow will be meaningful to students and have a positive impact on the university and the larger community.  The academic institution takes responsibility for correctly administering the fellowship funds. Universities in countries (listed at the end of this document) representing South Asia, Africa and Australia are eligible to apply for the 2024 edition of the grants.

THEMES

Seminal solutions to the challenges facing cities. A broad perspective is needed to propose new urban strategies to tackle the immense risks that climate change poses for people and the planet. All the available scientific expertise on climate change shows that it is no longer the time for evolutionary change. Architecture cannot stand back and follow its routine. It must make up its mind and propose solutions beyond its hitherto scope and potential. The new strategies and innovative ideas may focus on any aspect of the city deemed important, where a change could potentially be adapted and implemented in other cities. This theme does not lend itself to a single project solution, nor theoretical treatises, but rather ground-breaking initiatives that could be adapted and applied to city contexts are needed.

Adaptation as related to coastal resilience. Promoting integrated, ecosystem-based, climate-resilient understanding of the world’s coastal areas and rivers, lakes, and oceans is essential if we hope to reduce the many risks facing these communities and aquatic ecosystems. Coastal cities, small island developing states, coastal habitats, and marine environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of rising seas, coastal degradation, salination, and other impacts caused by our climate emergency. The built and natural environments are intimately intertwined.  Therefore, initiatives that analyze and understand these relationships and may foster ideas, knowledge, and new practices to assist us in adapting, in a responsible way, should be with the focus of courses established under this heading.

POST FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Universities and fellows agree to hand in a copy of the course syllabus, and a brief report that includes the number of students who attended the course, an assessment of the successes and weaknesses of the course, its content and suggestions for modification, pedagogical method, learning outcomes and impacts (including if/how the course may be continued or included within other courses.)

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION AND DECISION MAKING

A committee formed by the Henrik F. Obel Foundation with the necessary specialists and academics from respected institutions will make the decision based on:

1. Expertise, professional experience, and capability of the proposed fellow.
2. The promise of impact of the course(s) in benefit of students, the institution and broader community.
3. That the proposed course(s) should be relevant and foster the application of knowledge to contemporary challenges.
4. Integration and clarity of learning objectives and strategies to achieve the learning outcomes.
5. Positive impact that may go beyond the subjects to help transform those involved, the institution and beyond.
6. The budget must outline how the funds will be spent in a reasonable and effective way during the period of the fellowship.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

Universities and academic institutions located in the following countries are eligible to apply with a potential fellow who may come from any country:

Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka.

Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Caba Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Oceania: Australia