An application should be submitted in English in one PFD file (clearly labeled with potential fellow’s last name and country). The application should strive to be clear and concise. Excessive supplemental materials, or long texts that go beyond the guidelines will not be taken into consideration.

To be submitted:

• Title page & joint letter of interest (maximum 1 page, A4 paper, one side) . Please include: Theme, name of fellow and name of University/School
• Contact information (name, position, address, email, phone) of the person responsible at the academic institution and fellow (name, position, address, email, phone).
• Name of the course(s) to be offered, number of in-class hours for each, estimate number of students, and proposed start date.

Abstract

Provide an abstract summarizing the topic and how it relates to or will enhance academic offering. What would be the general focus of the courses to be imparted. Indicate the format/pedagogy, and learning objectives for each. Maximum 2 pages.

Work Plan

Provide an outline of the syllabus for each course, proposed schedule, number of classes, key milestones, and start dates of the courses, estimated number of students to take courses, and collaborators in the courses, if any. (Maximum 2 pages)

Budget

Provide itemized use of the award, indicating the calendar for payments. Administrative costs of the University should never exceed 15% of the award. The award may be used for the fellow’s salary, travel, materials and resources necessary for teaching, etc. Please list in-kind support or other resources that are available to the teaching fellow.

CV of Proposed Fellow

A brief CV of the proposed fellow and evidence that the fellow able to teach the proposed subject(s).

Supporting Documentation

A letter of support from the supervising department head (or similar) of the academic institution agreeing to offer courses to official fulltime students, provide office space and academic support as needed and to limit overhead and receive only up to a maximum of 15% of the fellowship award for overhead and support of the academic institution. (Letter maximum length of 1 page)

Supplemental Documentation

Any additional documentation directly related to the proposed subject area (Maximum 2 pages). It could include relevant writings or other documents that establish the unique qualifications of the teacher and/or why this subject matter is important for the School.

Language

Applications must be submitted in English.
But teaching language can be in the normal teaching language of the Institution.

How to Submit

Submit application via email to fellowships@obelaward.org no later than 1 August 2023 at 23:59 CET.
Applications received after that time will not be considered.
You should receive an email confirming the information you submitted. If not, please contact us at fellowships@obelaward.org.

• Single PDF format
• A4, either portrait or landscape orientation
• 16 pages maximum
• 25 Mb maximum

Calendar

Fellowship applications open May 1st.
1 August 2023: Last date to receive applications.
15 September 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.)

Eligible Countries

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

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo 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.

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Parameters And Eligibility Of The 2023 Edition

The 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 may be working professionals 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.

The 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. Universities in countries (listed at the end of this document) representing Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa are eligible.

Wellbeing and Architecture. Health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” and “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” The built environment, from interior spaces to the city level, has an impact on the health of the people who experience it. Therefore, it is imperative that architecture and design understand these impacts and, when approaching any project or proposal, establish the enhancement of well-being as a goal. More and more fields are now working in a cross disciplinary way to understand and positively impact the built environment. Collaboration, research, and a broader understanding of the relationships across disciplines and the impacts of our actions are some of the underlying goals of this fellowship.

Seminal solutions to the challenges facing cities. A broad perspective is needed in order 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.

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 reasonable and effective way during the period of the fellowship.

Frequently Asked Questions*

Can the University offer just one course for the fellowship?
Yes, one more intensive course (such as studio type courses) or two subjects are envisioned for the fellowship period.

Must the courses be in a School of Architecture?
No, not necessarily, but they should respond to the theme of the OBEL AWARD and be within a recognized university or university-level institution. It is important to remember that the OBEL AWARD and therefore the fellowship always 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.

How long should the course last?
The courses or subjects taught should be the normal length at the university, for example, the normal number of class hours and during one semester.

Can the Fellowships be renewed?
No, unfortunately is it 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.

Why is there a geographic limit of Latin America, SE Asia and Africa?
The OBEL AWARD Fellowship program seeks to be truly international. It also seeks to support debate and learning and therefore wants to become more connected to places that are distant from its home base in Europe. The main branch of the university must be located in one of the designated regions. (Overseas and/or temporary centers or programs located in these regions but with the main campus in a non-listed region fx. Europe or North America, are not eligible.) All future fellowship cycles will have geographic limitations to eligibility.

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?
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.

Can the proposed fellow be a current faculty member or an employee of the institution?
No, the award is meant to bring new voices into the academic institution.

Should the fellow have teaching experience?
The OBEL AWARD Fellowship will favorably rate practicing professionals who are candidates and wish to share their knowledge and experience through the fellowship. Teaching experience is not required.

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.

When is the due date for my application submission?
Applications are due no later than 1 August 2023 at 23:59 CET.

*Please check this section from time to time as new questions received will be answered here.