JGRB Research Grants: Call for Applications

Dr Jörn Günther Rare Books is the world leading dealer in medieval manuscripts and miniatures. We have a large inventory of medieval illuminated manuscripts with particular strengths in French, Flemish and Italian Books of Hours. The JGRB Research Grant is awarded to manuscript scholars and art historians to enable them to travel to Basel to research our manuscripts.

The successful candidate will receive a stipend of 1200,- CHF to cover travel costs and accommodation in Basel. On site, the scholar will be able to study some world class manuscripts and will have access to our research library for 3-5 days.

The recipient of the grant would, where appropriate, enhance our manuscript description(s), write one blog post, and a short report on how this study feeds into ongoing researcher project(s), and provide copies of any future published research.

When?

We have one or two fellowships every year. So that it does not clash with our participation in art fairs or in-house gallery exhibitions, the timing of the fellowships will be arranged on a case-by-case basis with the successful candidate.

However, January 2026 would potentially be the next ideal time.

The office is not open over weekends.

When is the next deadline?

Please apply by November 14, 2025.

All applicants will be notified by the middle of December, 2025.

The next deadline will be announced in March 2026.

Who can apply?

We encourage applications from art historians and manuscript scholars who have completed or are near completion of their PhDs. Preference will be given to Early Career Researchers and scholars who would not otherwise be able to visit our gallery in Basel.

How do I apply? 

Please send a short (300 words max) research proposal and CV to mc@guenther-rarebooks.com. The research proposal should include which manuscripts in our inventory you want to study.

We welcome proposals focusing on all areas of our inventory. To find out about our current manuscripts, please consult our website and past publications (Glory of the Renaissance, Mirabilia and London Calling offer a good overview of our current stock). Research may concentrate on a single object or on a thematic grouping of manuscripts. Applicants are also welcome to contact us directly if they have a specific chronological or geographical focus and would like to know whether we hold further unpublished material in our inventory.

We would be particularly interested in scholarship on the Psalter of Count Ludwig the younger of Oettingen or 15^th century Herbals (not currently on our website).