Announcement | Competition for a research scholarship titled “The Provenance of Cultural Property Lost During the Nazi Occupation of Poland” - Instytut Pileckiego

Announcement of a competition for scholarships at the Witold Pilecki Institute of Solidarity and Valor, branch office in Berlin.

Pursuant to Article 15(1) of the Act of 9 November 2017 on the Witold Pilecki Institute of Solidarity and Valor (hereinafter called the “Pilecki Institute”; consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2022.475) and § 4(1) of the Regulation of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of 13 December 2018 on scholarships to support academic research and educational and cultural activities within the scope of the Pilecki Institute (Journal of Laws 2019.23, hereinafter called the “Regulation”), the Pilecki Institute announces a competition for:

scholarship for academic research entitled “The Provenance of Cultural Property Lost During the German Nazi Occupation of Poland” (hereinafter called the “Competition”).

1. Subject of the Competition.

The subject of the Competition is the awarding of two scholarship titled “The Provenance of Cultural Property Lost During the German Nazi Occupation of Poland,” carried out within the scope of the tasks of the Berlin Branch of the Pilecki Institute (hereinafter called the “Pilecki Institute in Berlin”) as part of a scholarship program devoted to the study of the provenance of cultural property from a historical perspective in 20th-century Poland (hereinafter called the “Program”).

1. The scholarships are primarily intended for doctoral students in the humanities and related fields, including art history, history, art provenance research, cultural studies, or disciplines closely related to these fields. At the time of submitting the scholarship application, candidates must be actively engaged in a relevant doctoral project. Cooperation with Polish and German collections, archives, and research institutions is a significant advantage.
2. Projects may address issues such as German Nazi art looting, expropriation, transfer, and destruction of cultural property, as well as the postwar history of their fate.
3. The program aligns with the Pilecki Institute’s mission, particularly its interdisciplinary research on 20th-century totalitarian regimes. Drawing on comparative studies of totalitarianism, memory studies, and cultural heritage research, the Pilecki Institute examines the structural, ideological, and administrative dimensions of state-sponsored violence. Particular attention is paid to German Nazi art looting and the systematic destruction of cultural identity as instruments of political, social, and symbolic control.
4. The planned amount is up to 1,800 euros per month for each of the two scholarships to be awarded. No additional funds are available to cover travel, accommodation, or research expenses.
5. It is planned to award two scholarships, each for a period of 12 months from October 2026 to September 2027. The scholarship will be paid in monthly installments and does not constitute an employment relationship. The scholar will not be required to reside in Poland or Germany for the entire duration of the scholarship.
6. Scholarships are awarded in accordance with the rules set forth in the Regulation.

2. Objectives and types of tasks carried out under the scholarships.

1. The primary objective of the tasks carried out under the scholarship is to present the results of the research conducted during the scholarship period and to publish them in a peer-reviewed academic article.
2. During the implementation period of the scholarship, the scholar is required to participate in regular online seminars organized by the Pilecki Institute for other scholars (the seminar date is announced at least one month in advance),
3. Scholars are expected to actively participate in the intellectual life of the Pilecki Institute, particularly its Berlin branch. Responsibilities include participating in the preparations for the planned conference and exhibition, presenting the research conducted as part of the scholarship during the Institute’s academic seminar, engaging in additional Institute activities, and publishing the results of the research conducted as part of the scholarship in a peer-reviewed academic article.

4. The scholar is required to present the results of their work to a wider audience during a concluding event no later than 3 months after the end of the scholarship period (the exact date, format of the presentation, and venue will be determined in the final month of the scholarship jointly by the scholar and the Pilecki Institute).

5. The scholar is required to indicate the receipt of the scholarship in publications and presentations resulting from research conducted under the scholarship, including the statement “This project was carried out as part of the Pilecki Institute’s scholarship program in Berlin.”

3. Application Deadline.

Applications for the scholarship in this competition must be submitted no later than April 27, 2026.

4. Date of resolution of the Competition. Criteria and procedure.

1. The Competition will be resolved by 31 May 2026.
2. The competition committee reviews applications based on the following criteria:

• the significance of the project for the creation and advancement of knowledge within the scope defined by the Act of 9 November 2017 on the Pilecki Institute, including: significance for research on the provenance of cultural property lost in Poland during the German Nazi period,
• the academic nature of the project,
• the originality and innovation of the proposed project and the use of source materials in its implementation, including: engagement with relevant Polish and/or German collections or archives,
• the applicant’s experience in carrying out research projects in the field of fundamental research;
• the candidate’s academic record, including publications in academic journals, monographs, participation in conferences, scholarships, as well as national and international awards and distinctions.

3. The Director of the Pilecki Institute awards scholarships in accordance with the rules set forth in the Regulation.
4. The Pilecki Institute is under no obligation to justify the decisions of the Competition Committee or the results of the Competition. No appeal procedure is provided for
5. The results of the Competition will be published in the Pilecki Institute’s Public Information Bulletin (Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej) and on the websites: www.instytutpileckiego.pl and www.pileckiinstitut.de.
6. Successful candidates will be notified in writing within 7 days from the date on which the scholarship is awarded.

5. Documents to be attached to the application.

1. Applications for the scholarship in the Competition must be submitted exclusively via email to the following address: berlin@pileckiinstitut.de
2. Please include the following in the subject line of your email: “Competition for research scholarships titled ‘The Provenance of Cultural Property Lost During the German Nazi Occupation of Poland’.”
3. All application documents must be submitted in German or English.
4. Applicants may submit only one scholarship application for the Competition.
5. The application must include:

1. the application form (downloadable file)
2. a list of publications and scholarly lectures (if applicable),
3.  a concept of the scholarship project—a project proposal not exceeding 3,000 characters (including spaces) and a timeline,
4. a CV and/or portfolio containing: the applicant’s first name, last name, and place of residence; a phone number or email address; and information about the applicant’s previous work or achievements.
5. two letters of recommendation submitted by academic, research, or cultural institutions (domestic or foreign) or private individuals.
6. a scan of the signed statement regarding the personal data controller (downloadable file)
7. a scan of the signed statement of consent to the processing of personal data (downloadable file).

The application must be accompanied by documents confirming the information contained in the application. All materials must be submitted as a single PDF file.

The recommendations referred to in point 5e. above must additionally be submitted in original form.

6. Please send any questions to the following address: berlin@pileckiinstitut.de