Supporting education through teaching fellowships.
Established to enhance the debate and learnings of the OBEL AWARD’s yearly themes, the fellowships provide new opportunities for universities and professionals to work together on pressing issues facing people and the planet.



Application Deadline: 1 September 2023
The aim of the OBEL AWARD Teaching Fellowships is to bring the professional and academic realms closer together by enhancing the debate and learnings of the themes of the award. These themes reflect pressing issues and express the potential of architecture and design to positively impact our built environment.
The purpose of the fellowships – three designated for the inaugural cycle, one each in Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa – will support the teaching of a new course or courses within an official program at an accredited academic institution.
Illustrating the goal of bringing new voices into academia, the applications must be submitted jointly with the individual who will teach the course(s) and the host institution, thus showing dedication to and support of the objectives of the OBEL AWARD Teaching Fellowship.
For the first year, three fellowships will be awarded, one each in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. For the initial year of the Fellowship program, each grant of up to € 75,000, will be awarded for teaching during a period of one academic year.
The joint application from a university (faculty, school, or department) and the potential teaching fellow, must be related to one of the themes of recent OBEL AWARDs: Well-being through architecture or Seminal solutions to the challenges facing cities.
The following fellowship goals should be considered:
- To encourage curiosity in students about the major issues facing architecture as reflected in the themes of the OBEL AWARD.
- To assist academic institutions in creating relevant and impactful content and pedagogies.
- To provide opportunities for academic institutions to explore new themes and include new voices on their faculty.
- To bring the professional and academic realms closer together through collaboration and the Fellowships.
- To provide an opportunity for professionals to take time off from regular duties to teach and share their knowledge and experience.
- To seek to create a community/network around the OBEL AWARDS themes.
Ideally, the institution should offer a minimum of two subjects within the fellowship period in accredited university programs. However, other models of learning could mean that only one more intensive subject is taught and therefore eligible for a fellowship.
The joint application from a university (faculty, school, or department) and the teaching fellow, and must be related to one of the themes of the OBEL AWARD:
- Well-being through architecture.
- Seminal solutions to the challenges facing cities.
Calendar 2023
1 May: Fellowship applications open.
1 September 2023: Last date to receive applications.
End of October 2023: Announcement of the fellowships awards.
2024 – 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 September 2023 at 23:59 CEST.
What is the budget for?
The budget is for the fellow’s salary, travel, 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 and 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.
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
through 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.