KADOC – the Interfaculty Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society at KU Leuven – is both one of the leading cultural heritage institutions in Belgium and an international research centre focusing on the manifold cultural and societal legacies of religion
and its material and immaterial manifestations in modern society.

Its impressive collection of archives and books document the impact of religion on a variety of aspects of modern culture and society, in Flanders and abroad. Its research initiatives embrace innovative methods and deal with many different themes: gender, transnationalism and regionalism, imagination and practices, popular religion, intercultural exchanges, religion and science, religious entrepreneurship, subalternity, religious conflict and tolerance…
KADOC publishes several scientific series, edited by Leuven University Press, for instance KADOC Studies on Religion, Culture & Society and the Leuven Studies in Mission and Modernity. KADOC positions itself as an academic agora, bringing scholars and societal actors from various backgrounds together in order to collaborate in joint research initiatives. International collaboration with innovative scholars is essential to its particular mission.

From 2021 onwards, KADOC-KU Leuven yearly awards one fellowship to an international scholar (with max. 10 years of scientific seniority after PhD) working on topics related to its main research lines. This programme offers the selected candidate the opportunity to work in its collections, to establish new scholarly links, and to broaden her/his expertise in close interaction with Leuven scholars and heritage professionals. For the coming years, the KADOC fellowship programme centers on the following themes:
2021: Religious history from below
2022: Religion and social change: care and emancipation
2023: Religion, globalisation and international solidarity
2024: Religion, social ideas and policy
In our 2021-call we would like to express a particular interest in candidates in the domain of socio-religious history who, through their research, demonstrate the historiographic potential of what is commonly called ‘religious history from below’.
We especially invite applications by researchers working on, for instance, the everyday experiences of religion, religious practice and belonging, the evolving identities of local faithbased communities, their social agency, local faith-based associational life and sociability networks, all this preferably in a comparative, transnational and interreligious perspective.
What we offer
- a unique opportunity to pursue research while living and working for two to max. three months in Leuven. KADOC offers a stimulating working environment.
- a monthly stipend of € 500, covering the costs of living in Belgium.
- an intervention in your housing costs at the Leuven Great Beguinage for a max. of 800 euro/month.
- close interaction with and support from scholars and professionals connected to the Centre. Each fellowship holder will be assigned one or more mentors or ‘buddies’.
- easy access to the Leuven collections and research infrastructure, the rich archival and book collections of KADOC in particular.
- a well-equipped working-space and all necessary administrative and logistical support
What we expect
- motivated candidates with proven research expertise on the topic
- applicants should have obtained their first doctoral degree not more than 10 years before the deadline.
- a well-considered plan for your research-stay, linked to tangible and achievable goals. This plan should make clear how your fellowship interlinks with KADOC’s collections and can impact its research activities.
- KADOC-fellows will work at the Centre in Leuven and actively participate in KADOC’s research activities and networks, for instance by hosting a seminar or contribute to its publications.
- proficiency in English, demonstrated by publications and/or an official certificate.
KADOC-KU Leuven seeks to foster an inclusive environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, religion, cultural background, nationality, sexuality or disability. We support our university’s commitment to social responsibility, diversity and inclusion.

Evaluation
Submitted applications will be evaluated and ranked by the Scientific Committee of KADOC. This evaluation involves both the criteria ‘candidate’ and ‘research project’. The candidates will be assessed on their scholarly background, accomplishments and potential. The evaluation of the project plan will focus on its scientific quality and relevance, innovativeness and feasibility, and how the plan is embedded within the collections and expertise of the host institution.

How to apply
Candidates are invited to submit their application using the dedicated web-module before Friday 30 April > 5 p.m.

Notification
Candidates will receive formal notification of the reception of their application. They will be notified on the results of the evaluation procedure no later than 15 June 2021.

Questions?
Please contact Dr. Peter Heyrman, head of Research