The Nobel Institute houses what is perhaps Northern Europe’s finest international relations library, and has during the past few decades emerged as an important international academy for studies relating to war and peace.
Since 1991, nearly 100 visiting fellows from over 25 countries have spent shorter or longer periods at the Institute, including many of the world’s leading historians, economists and political scientists. In connection with the Visiting Fellows Program, research seminars are held throughout the spring. The seminars are open to the public. Selected Fulbright candidates are expected to deliver one research seminar and one public lecture while in residence at the Institute.
This award is available for up to three scholars each year. Applications are sought in all appropriate disciplines, but applications in the following disciplines are preferred: History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Law.
Selected scholars will be in residence for three months and may begin any time between February 1 and April 1. The Norwegian Nobel Institute will provide office space for selected scholars.
Each year the Visiting Fellows Program has a different topic. The topic for 2026 will be: “The Price of Peace: historical, political, and philosophical perspectives.”
The Price of Peace: historical, political, and philosophical perspectives
The value of peace is beyond doubt. Without it, human beings can hardly live flourishing lives. But while the attainment of peace is immensely important, it is not the only thing that matters. Hence, peace may come at a price.
But what is the price of peace? Is peace sometimes more important than respecting human rights or collective self-determination. Is it more important than democratic governance, or the just distribution of natural resources? Is the price of peace that perpetrators of historic injustice go unpunished? Or that objectionable social hierarchies, both within and between states, remain in place?
The Norwegian Nobel Institute seeks to throw light upon the price of peace from a wide range of perspectives, drawn especially from the fields of history, political science, and philosophy.
Relevant research questions include, but are not limited to:
- How has peace been achieved in the past? At what cost in terms of other values?
- How may peace be achieved in the years to come? At what cost in terms of other values?
- What is the nature of peace?
- Is peace a prerequisite for democracy and justice, or is it rather the other way around?
- How valuable is peace compared to other values?
- If the ideal balance of values is infeasible, what should we aim for in practice?
To apply
The Advanced International Studies at the Nobel Institute award is published in IIE’s annual awards catalogue. You can find more information about the grant and the online application on the IIE Fulbright Scholar Program website.
Application deadline is in September for the following academic year.
Please contact the Fulbright office in Norway, or Aferdita Krasniqi at IIE in the Fulbright Scholar Program for more information.