University of Tartu and Estonian Maritime Museum join forces to support new generation of researchers of maritime history and heritage

The Estonian Maritime Museum and the University of Tartu Foundation have created a scholarship fund to popularise the research of Estonian maritime history and maritime heritage. Each year, one person will get a 7,500-euro scholarship.

The scholarship competition of the Estonian Maritime Museum invites applications until 20 November. Besides students of the University of Tartu, also master’s students of all curricula of Tallinn University and the Estonian Academy of Arts can apply. Research areas related to maritime affairs are supported, including those connected to commerce, technology, tourism, law, and culture.

According to Urmas Dresen, member of the board of the Estonian Maritime Museum, Estonian universities prepare enough historians and archaeologists, but they generally do not become researchers of maritime history and heritage. With the scholarship, the Estonian Maritime Museum aims to foster interest in research topics related to maritime affairs. “It was important for the maritime museum to announce the scholarship in the year we celebrate our 90th anniversary. Our people do invaluable work in collecting, preserving and researching maritime history, and promoting maritime culture. We believe it is important to continue all this work in the future, and the scholarship is one way to nurture and support the next generation of maritime historians,” said Dresen.

Tõnu-Andrus Tannberg, Professor of Estonian History and Head of the Department of Estonian History at the University of Tartu Institute of History and Archaeology, shares this view: “The consistent awarding of the scholarship will allow us to prepare specialists in the coming years who are needed in both museums and government institutions.”

Since 2021, the Estonian Maritime Museum has given out an award to recognise the best theses in maritime history and archaeology. On the recommendation of the museum’s research council, it was decided to establish a scholarship alongside the award to encourage and support young researchers already at the beginning of their journey. Applicants for the scholarship are expected to submit a master's thesis project. Tannberg believes that master’s theses written with the support of the scholarship will provide a strong basis for continuing research at the doctoral level. “This, in turn, will significantly expand international research contacts and enable participation in cross-border research projects,” added Tannberg.

To apply for the Estonian Maritime Museum’s scholarship, applicants must complete an electronic application form, which includes a motivation letter, a master’s thesis project, and a recommendation letter from the supervisor. For additional information, see the website of the University of Tartu Foundation.