In 1989 the Board of Governors and the Council of Leiden University granted the establishment of a special Chair for Central European Studies with a focus on Austria: 'Lehrstuhl für mitteleuropäische Studien mit besonderer Berücksichtigung Österreichs'.

Special Chair for Central European Studies

In 1990, Prof. Dr. Nicolette Mout stepped in as the first chairholder. For two decades, Professor Mout’s lectures and seminars formed the heart of the Leiden Central European and Austrian history curriculum, which was further strengthened by the presence of a visiting professor in every spring semester. In 2000, the Foundation published a booklet celebrating and describing the first ten successful years of its activities: Österreich-Niederlande: zehn Jahre wissenschaftliche Zusammenarbeit. Eine Bilanz [PDF]. 

In 2010, after Professor Mout’s retirement from both the Chair for Modern History and the Special Chair for Central European Studies, Professor Jeroen Duindam took over the Modern History Chair, and with Dr. Patrick Dassen formed the liaison between the Foundation for Austrian Studies and the History Institute. 

In June 2017 the Foundation for Austrian Studies and Leiden University appointed Dr. Monika Baár to the Special Chair for Central European Studies. After four years of dedicated service to the Foundation and the Chair, Dr. Baár decided to step back due to shifting (research) priorities. Professor Jeroen Duindam served as interim director and chair until The Foundation Board prepared the appointment for a new incumbent of the Special Chair.

In September 2022, Dr. Sarah A. Cramsey began her term as Special Chair for Central European Studies alongside her appointment as University Lecturer in Judaism and Diaspora Studies at the Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion. 

Funding

The Foundation for Austrian Studies (‘Stichting Oostenrijkse Studiën’) was established in 1988. From 1988 to 2010 the Foundation for Austrian Studies, under the presidency of Mr. Hugo Weiland, organized and financed the visiting professorship as well as various other related activities.

Since 2011 the foundation has been generously supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung, BMBWF) and the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation (Österreichische Austauschdienst, OeAd).

In 2023 the Foundation for Austrian Studies was converted to a Leiden University Fund (LUF).