Fondation Hardt pour l’ Étude de l’Antiquité Classique, Vandoeuvres, Geneva has issued its annual invitation for a stay at the Fondation Hardt to all temporary or permanent teachers of classics and ancient history in British university departments.
The Fondation is an international research centre for the study of Classics and Ancient History. It is located in an elegant 18th c. villa in a park with views of Mont Blanc, and the accommodation has undergone extensive and very successful modernisation, culminating in the re-opening of the Orangery as a conference and concert centre in 2011.
It has an excellent and beautiful library, particularly strong in texts and commentaries; it has a good ancient history section (you can check the catalogue on-line).
It provides a peaceful environment for a period of uninterrupted research and writing. It also gives access to the very strong library and electronic resources of the University of Geneva.
A stay at the Fondation provides the opportunity to meet scholars of all ages and nationalities: there are up to eight in residence at any one time. The food is excellent, the atmosphere relaxed.
The Fondation was brought back to life by the energy and vision of Prof. Pierre Ducrey, supported by excellent staff; its new director is now Prof. Jean Terrier. Those who have visited the Fondation over the last few years are consistently enthusiastic about every aspect of life there. Stays are normally of two, three or four weeks. It is a real pleasure to see it back to life after the pandemic and ready to welcome scholars from all over the world.
The costs of accommodation and full board per week are around 350 Swiss francs for those under 35, 490 Swiss francs per week for those over 35 (but check website for updates this year). These charges are, needless to say, extremely good value. For those under 35, there are ‘bourses de recherche’ to cover the full costs of a stay at the Fondation, and they now available in good quantity.
The deadlines for bursary applications are November 30 and April 30 (but check on their website).
Further bursaries specifically for UK postgraduates will be advertised later in November. The Fondation will be open next year from early February until the end of November (precise dates will be posted on the website).
For an application form to visit the Fondation, or to apply for a bourse de recherche, go to www.fondationhardt.ch/. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have queries.
