Louvre Abu Dhabi has launched the Fellowships and Grants Programme, an initiative designed to foster new research in art and history by inviting scholars and museum professionals from around the world to participate. The programme aims to inspire innovative insights, facilitate cross-cultural dialogue, and support new perspectives within the international art landscape.
Centred around three core thematic axes, Global History of Museums and Collections, Circulation of Styles, Images and Texts, and Precious Materials and Routes of Exchange, the programme will delve into topics in art history as an extension of the museum’s research endeavours and its commitment to supporting and advancing art history research on a global scale.
The museum will employ its leading research facilities, which include the Resource Centre, the Conservation Centre, and the state-of-the-art Scientific Laboratory for artwork material analysis—the first of its kind in the Gulf region—to drive innovative research. The programme will organise symposiums, hold workshops, and produce publications designed to foster meaningful dialogue and share knowledge about its extensive collections, while exploring broader themes in art history and heritage science.
The museum aims to cultivate a vibrant academic community and enhance understanding of the cultural narratives embedded within its artworks, reflecting Louvre Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a global hub for scholarship and research.
His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), said: “An important element of Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a global cultural centre is its role as hub for research and knowledge exchange. While they remain rooted in a regional context, it is vital that our cultural institutions are plugged in to the global discourse, benefitting from diverse viewpoints and perspectives. This grant programme will bring talent from around the world to Abu Dhabi, helping to generate fresh insights into topics which reflect our shared humanity.”
To start the Fellowships and Grants Programme, Louvre Abu Dhabi is offering short- and long-term fellowships that will provide vital support to both local and international scholars in their research projects. These fellowships come with substantial financial awards, offering AED85,000 for short-term fellows (three months) and AED245,000 for long-term fellows (nine months).
In 2025, the programme will launch institutional grants aimed at fostering collaborative research projects between Louvre Abu Dhabi and other cultural institutions, including museums, research centres, and universities. These grants are intended to support initiatives that further the museum’s mission of promoting cultural exchange and dialogue.
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “Launching this programme is a natural extension of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s mission to be a universal museum, one that not only collects and displays the world’s artistic heritage, but also actively contributes to its preservation and understanding. By providing scholars with the resources and support needed to conduct pioneering research, we are reaffirming our commitment to deepening global knowledge and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.”
Dr Guilhem André, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “In launching Louvre Abu Dhabi's fellowship and grants programme, we want to collaborate with scholars and institutions worldwide, offering essential support for researchers and museum professionals. This initiative will enable them to engage deeply with Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collections and contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on art, heritage, and museum studies.”
Researchers and scholars specialising in art history, archaeology, museum studies, heritage science, conservation, and associated domains are encouraged to submit proposals aligned with one of the three thematic axes: Global History of Museums and Collections; Circulation of Styles, Images, and Texts; and Precious Materials and Routes of Exchange.
Applications are open until 10 January 2025, and the selected applicants will be announced by March 2025. A committee of distinguished museum representatives and experts will oversee the selection process and thoroughly evaluate all submissions, with interviews potentially conducted as part of the review. Proposals must be submitted in English online through the museum’s website.
