The following fellowship goals should be considered:

• To encourage curiosity in students about the major issues facing architecture as reflected in the themes of the OBEL Foundation.
• To assist academic institutions in creating relevant and impactful content and pedagogies.
• To provide opportunities for academic institutions to explore new themes and include new voices on their faculty.
• To bring the professional and academic realms closer together through collaboration.
• To provide an opportunity for professionals with at least five years’ experience to take time off from regular duties to teach and share their knowledge through course(s) they have developed in a subject that they are passionate about.
• To seek to create a community/network around the current Systems’ Hack focus of the OBEL Foundation.
• To develop knowledge and learning materials on the current Systems’ Hack focus of the OBEL Foundation.

Important parameters:

Ideally, the potential fellow should lead/teach two courses at the university within the fellowship period in accredited university programs. However, other models of learning could mean that only one more intensive subject is taught and therefore eligible for a fellowship.

Usually, the academic institution will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to accept the fellow as a visiting scholar/guest teacher or professor and administer the fellowship funds on his/her behalf according to the budget submitted and approved in the joint application. However, the Foundation understands that different local customs and legal parameters may require the disbursal of funds in an alternative manner. The H.F. Obel Foundation is flexible in this regard and is most concerned with the creation and imparting of an impactful course(s), the commitment and agreement of both the potential fellow and academic institution to this joint project and an ability of both to be responsible for the  new course(s) and the correct and transparent use of OBEL funds.

The funds are NOT to be used for student trips, student stipends, or promotional publications. Please note the fellowships are NOT intended as a source of funding for current scholars/academics. 

Teaching fellows are expected to remain in the city/region of the university or academic institution for the duration of the course(s), not fly in and out for classes.   

Frequently asked questions about the fellowship and application procedure can be found on the fellowships page. Additional questions may be submitted to fellowships@obel.foundation. We will reply to all questions directly but may use your question to update the FAQs posted on our website.

Post Fellowship Requirements

Universities and fellows agree to hand in a copy of the course syllabus, and a brief report that includes the number of students who attended the course, an assessment of the successes and weaknesses of the course, its content and suggestions for modification, pedagogical method, learning outcomes and impacts (including if/how the course may be continued or included within other courses.)

The final report of the fellow, including the curriculum of the course, will form part of a library and will be able to be consulted by other teachers and institutions. It is important to document the fellowship also in a visual way so that it can be shared for broader impact and to be shared on OBEL’s channels.

Criteria for selection and decision making

A committee formed by the Henrik F. Obel Foundation with the necessary specialists and academics from respected institutions will make the decision based on:

1. Expertise, professional experience, and capability of the proposed fellow.
2. The promise of impact of the course(s) in benefit of students, the institution and broader community.
3. That the proposed course(s) should be relevant and foster the application of knowledge to contemporary challenges and the Ready Made focus.
4. Integration and clarity of learning objectives and strategies to achieve the learning outcomes.
5. Positive impact that may go beyond the subjects to help transform those involved, the institution and beyond.
6. The budget must outline how the funds will be spent in a reasonable and effective way during the period of the fellowship.