The Holberg Prize

The Holberg Prize is awarded annually to scholars who have made outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology.

About the Holberg Prize

The Holberg Prize is awarded annually to a scholar who has made outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social science, law or theology, either in one of these fields or through interdisciplinary work.

The Prize is worth NOK 6,000,000. The Holberg Board awards the Prize at the recommendation of the Holberg Committee. The Prize is named after the Danish-Norwegian writer Ludvig Holberg, who excelled in all of the sciences covered by the award.

Selection procedure

Scholars holding positions at universities and other research institutions, including academies, are entitled to nominate candidates to the Holberg Prize and the Nils Klim Prize. The deadline for nominations for both prizes is June 15th each year. 

The Holberg Committee discusses the nominations and agrees on a shortlist. Independent referee reports on the shortlisted candidates are obtained, supporting the Committee in their further deliberation. Read more about the Holberg Committee’s work here.

The Holberg Board awards the prizes at the recommendation of the Holberg Committee.

The Holberg Prize Laureate is announced in March each year, and the award ceremony takes place during the annual Holberg Week in Bergen, Norway in June.

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