Researching the history of the Zuiderzee region and Flevoland.
Museum Batavialand invites recent graduate researchers to dive deep into our extraordinary heritage collections for three months. We tell the story of the Zuiderzee region, where maritime history, archaeology and craft come together in a unique way. Our collections – the National Ship Archaeological Depot, the Flevoland Provincial Archaeological Depot and the Heritage Collections of Flevoland – provide a rich basis for innovative research.
With this fellowship we want to stimulate scientific research and offer space to a new generation of researchers. You determine the topic yourself, as long as the research is based on objects, archives or partial collections of Museum Batavialand.
What can you research?
The possibilities are broad. Research, for example, why the Markermeer was never reclaimed or what archaeological traces are still hidden there. Delve into the shipwrecks that will soon take center stage in our renovated museum, such as the mysterious paintings from the Ventjager or the four-hundred-year-old eggs from the Beurtvaarder. Or investigate the material culture of the drowned medieval villages of Flevoland: was the area between 1100 and 1400 really as empty as is often thought, or does that picture require more nuance?
We welcome original and innovative research proposals that offer new insights into the history of the Zuiderzee region, Flevoland and our shared heritage.
What do we ask?
You:
- Have recently graduated (no more than three years ago), or are completing your studies before the start of the fellowship;
- Holds a master’s degree in archaeology, history or other relevant study with historical and/or archaeological perspective;
- Are available for research for three consecutive months, including at least three days per week on location in Lelystad;
- develops its own research proposal based on the collections of Museum Batavialand;
- presents the results of your research and writes a scholarly article within twelve months of completing the fellowship.
Good to know: our collection management systems and archives are Dutch-speaking. Reading skills in Dutch are therefore important.
What do we offer?
As a fellow you get:
- three months of time and space for in-depth research;
- a fellowship stipend of €4,500;
- A workplace at Museum Batavialand, using your own device;
- access to our collections, archives, restoration studio and library;
- guidance and substantive support to curators, depot managers and researchers in the Knowledge & Collections Department.
Why Batavialand Museum?
Museum Batavialand is at a special moment in its development. In the coming years we will be working on a large-scale renovation, in which collection, conservation, research and public experience will come together more strongly. As a fellow you work in the midst of an environment where new stories about water, land and heritage are being actively developed.
Sign up
In preparation for your research proposal, parts of the collection can be accessed online through Collection Netherlands and the Zuiderzee Collection.
Your application consists of:
- a cover letter;
- A resume with publication list or reference to relevant study results;
- contact information of at least one academic reference that supports your application;
- A research proposal of up to 800 words.
In your research proposal you describe:
- the topic and the research question;
- the relevance of the research;
- Which objects, sub-collections or primary sources you want to use;
- Why this selection fits the research;
- plan of action and timeline;
- a brief literature review. This does not count toward the word count maximum. Send your application as a pdf to fellowship@batavialand.nl by July 15, 2026 .
Selection
A selection committee evaluates applications for content quality, relevance and feasibility. In doing so, we look at:
1. the extent to which Museum Batavialand’s collection is the starting point for the research;
2. the scientific relevance of the research proposal;
3. the demonstrable scientific qualities of the candidate;
4. the feasibility of the proposal within the available research period.
Selected applicants may be invited to present their proposal orally. All entrants will be notified by August 19, 2026.
Timeline
- July 15, 2026 – closure of application deadline
- Aug. 19, 2026 – announcement
- Oct. 1, 2026 – start fellowship
- October to December 2026 – research period
Questions?
For questions, please contact Alice Overmeer, researcher in the Knowledge & Collections Department, at fellowship@batavialand.nl.
About the collections of Museum Batavialand
Museum Batavialand tells the story of the Zuiderzee region: from prehistory and ship archaeology to reclamation and the habitation history of Flevoland. The museum manages three archaeological and museum collections:
- The National Ship Archaeological Depot (NSD) manages the state maritime archaeological collection. This collection includes approximately 40,000 maritime archaeological finds ranging from complete wrecks to wreck parts, ship’s equipment, cargo and inventory.
- The Provincial Archaeological Depot Flevoland (PADF) manages and preserves the archaeological collection of the province of Flevoland, with objects from the Old Stone Age through World War II.
- The Heritage Collections of Flevoland tell the unique story of Flevoland’s birth and growth and include more than 1,800 objects, 180 models, 375 meters of paper archives and a collection of images, sound and text.
