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 who has made outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology. The Prize may be awarded both for work within a particular academic discipline and for work of a cross-disciplinary nature. The Prize is worth NOK 6,000,000.
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 by the online nomination form. It is possible to save your progress in the nomination form and complete it at a later time if needed.
Requirements and restrictions
These are the requirements and restrictions for nominations for the Holberg Prize. Please consider these, before you start filling out the nomination form.
- The candidate must be an active contributor to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology.
- The Holberg Prize recognises the collective nature of research. While organisations or groups are not eligible, individual researchers leading or serving as key contributors in large-scale research projects, programmes or infrastructures, can be awarded the Prize.
- Self-nominations and posthumous nominations will not be considered.
- Joint nominations do not strengthen a candidacy.
- Nominations are strictly confidential and should not be disclosed to the nominee or to others at any time.
- All text and attachments must be written in English, to count in the committee’s assessment of the candidate.
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 short statement of 1000-3000 characters (incl. spaces), explaining why the candidate should receive the Holberg Prize.
- The candidate’s CV and publication list.
- Names of three possible referees who know the candidate’s work and who can provide additional information if needed.
The selection process
The Board of the Holberg Prize awards the Prize at the recommendation of the Holberg Committee. The Holberg Committee which consists of internationally renowned scholars in the relevant research fields. The Holberg Prize Laureate will be announced in March, and the Award Ceremony takes place in Bergen, Norway, in the first week of June.
Questions?
If you have any questions or should experience technical difficulties with the nomination form, please contact info@holbergprisen.no.