The annual theme will take a closer look at conflict configurations taking shape in the Ancient World when two or more social entities (e.g. individuals, groups or states), with opposing interests, values, opinions or objectives of the various parties/groupings, come up against one another. However, the inquiry exploring this annual theme will focus not on the conflicts themselves but rather on how the parties deal with them, the strategies they use to resolve (or escalate) them, in short, on cultures of conflict. Projects addressing this theme will also consider whether it might be possible to apply the findings from research – insight gained into the skills that historical societies used in dealing with conflicts – to good effect in connection with the challenges of the present day. A range of methods will be used for this, including some drawn from modern social and political sciences and conflict studies. Researchers will also seek contact with partners from outside the academic/research domain.

The following questions may be asked in this context: What factors contributed towards enabling the escalation and resolution of conflicts? What specific conditions (for instance, environmental conditions) encouraged the outbreak of conflicts? What attempts were made to prevent conflicts from erupting? Did the escalation of the conflict further the interests of any social entities other than those actually party to the conflict? Is it possible to reconstruct set patterns? What options for conflict resolution did the parties involved have at their disposal, and how were they used? Were there specific persons or institutions that were called in for the purpose of conflict resolution? Did people assume that there were supernatural causes for the conflict and/or did they rely on divine persons being able play a role in its resolution? What positive effects did the conflict’s resolution have for those involved? And finally, how were the conflicts and their resolution portrayed and reflected (upon) in texts and images?

To answer these and other related questions, the Berliner Antike-Kolleg will make funding available to support the conceptual design and implementation of inter-institutional and interdisciplinary research initiatives in ancient studies in Berlin.

What will be funded and funding objective

The funding will be provided to support innovative research exploring questions related to the annual theme. Strongly encouraged are projects within and extending beyond the collaborative network in ancient studies in Berlin that will test out new research approaches and sound out the potential of their research questions and project ideas for future proposals. Funding will be available for all project phases, e.g., topic selection and conceptual design, formation of working groups, including the hosting of working group meetings (with involvement of external experts, researchers from other countries), conferences and events, as well as for the preparation of inter-institutional research proposals.

Who may apply

Any scholar holding a doctoral degree who is affiliated with one of the institutions represented at the BAK is welcome to submit a proposal.

Award amounts and funding period

The maximum award is EUR 10,000 per proposal, with a maximum funding period of 12 months. The funding period is tied to the academic year associated with the Dealing with Conflict theme, i.e. it must begin on or after 15 May 2023 and end on or before 14 May 2024

Eligible measures

Possible formats might be, for instance, workshops, discussion series, "labs", surveys and other initiatives for exchange with non-academic stakeholders. Inviting fellows and/or external experts (in-coming) for transdisciplinary exchange or the development and establishment of transdisciplinary concepts and research networks are other examples of possible measures. Further possibilities include acting as a transdisciplinary partner in projects and initiatives that have not (yet) been influenced by ancient studies (out-going) and thus enabling them to benefit from ancient studies perspectives and approaches.

The funding can be used for the following types of expenses (eligible expenditures):

• Expenses for research material; mobility, accommodation, publication, andcommunication expenses; and service contracts
• Expenses for visits by researchers to and from Berlin
• Under certain conditions, it is possible to apply for personnel funds to a limited scope is possible.

Ineligible expenditures

• Investment expenses and standard instrumentation/equipment
• The forwarding of funds.

Submission deadline and procedure

Proposals must be submitted online via the BAK’s e-submission portal and must include the following:

• Primary and, if applicable, secondary applicant(s) (input manually)
• Brief CV of primary and, if applicable, secondary applicant(s), including a list of fivesignificant publications (upload as PDF)
• Project title (input manually, 200 characters incl. spaces)
• Abstract (2,000 characters incl. spaces)
• Written proposal (input manually, 11,500 characters incl. spaces)
• Timeline (input manually; timeline must list the individual phases/work-steps of theproject separately, detailing the duration of and justification for each phase/step. Max. 800 characters incl. spaces are available for justification of each phase/step)
• Budget plan, including explanation and justification of items and amounts (inputmanually; personnel and material expenses must be itemised on the appropriateforms. Max. 800 characters incl. spaces are available for text justifying each item)

Please bear in mind that only persons who have registered at the BAK can access proposal data and submit proposals. It will therefore be necessary for the person responsible for the project register to use the e-submission portal in advance. Please contact sekretariat@berliner-antike-kolleg.org in order to register.

The e-submission portal will be available as of 1 April.