The Holberg Prize is an international prize awarded annually for outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law and theology.
The Holberg Prize was established by the Norwegian Parliament in 2003 and is awarded annually to a scholar in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology. The Prize is worth NOK 6,000,000 (approximately EUR 530,000).
Anyone holding an academic position at a university, academy or other research institution may nominate candidates for the Holberg Prize.
The nomination deadline is 15 June each year.
We are currently accepting nominations for the 2027 Holberg Prize. All nominations must be submitted through the online nomination form. It is possible to save your progress in the nomination form and complete it at a later time if needed.
Selection criteria
- The Holberg Prize is awarded annually to a scholar who has made outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology.
- The Prize may be awarded both for work in a particular academic discipline or for work of a cross-disciplinary nature.
- The candidate must be an active contributor to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology.
- While organisations or groups are not eligible, individual researchers leading or serving as key contributors to large-scale research projects, programmes or infrastructures, can be awarded the Prize.
- Self-nominations and posthumous nominations will not be considered.
Submission requirements
In the online form, nominators are required to submit the following information:
- Name, affiliation and contact details for the nominator.
- Name, affiliation and contact details for the candidate.
- A nomination letter of 1000-3000 characters (incl. spaces), explaining why the candidate should receive the Holberg Prize.
- The candidate’s CV and publication list.
- Suggestions for three possible referees who know the candidate’s work.
- The nomination letter, CV and publication list must be written in English.
Please note that joint nominations do not strengthen a candidacy.
The selection process
After the deadline, the Holberg Committee is responsible for assessing the candidates and present a recommendation of a prize recipient for the Holberg Board. The Holberg Committee consists of internationally renowned scholars in the relevant research fields.
The Board of the Holberg Prize awards the Prize at the recommendation of the Holberg Committee.
The Holberg Prize Laureate will be announced in March, and the Award Ceremony takes place in Bergen, Norway, in the first week of June.
Confidentiality
Nominations are strictly confidential.
The nominations and all other information, both written and verbal, related to the identification and selection process is held in confidence.
Records of the deliberations and other confidential activities of the Holberg Committee, both on paper and electronic, are sealed and archived by the Holberg Prize secretariat / the University of Bergen and not made available publicly for 50 years.
Questions?
If you have any questions or should experience technical difficulties with the nomination form, please contact info@holbergprisen.no.