Short-term Research Fellowships

Important information for 2021-2022 Fellowship Cycle

 In an effort to make funding available to scholars during these difficult times, the MHS will accept short-term fellowship applications for the upcoming year. However, please note that the terms of awarded fellowships may have temporary restrictions. We strongly encourage all applicants to carefully review their application questions well in advance of the deadline and to reach out with any questions or concerns.

The reading room at the MHS has been closed since March of 2020. Our library staff are currently offering expanded reproduction services to allow for the remote completion of fellowships. We cannot predict when researchers will have on-site access to our collections. Additionally, the MHS anticipates an increased demand for reading room access upon re-opening, which may extend research restrictions past the current health crisis.

The MHS reserves the right to offer entirely remote fellowships, to offer deferred fellowships, to restrict research visits to appointment schedules or certain months, or any other such restrictions as are necessary during, and in the wake of Covid. Please note that our application has evolved to include additional questions about your ability to complete remote research, including whether the collections you wish to examine are already digitized, if you would be willing to complete a fellowship through library-provided reproductions, or if you require partial or full on-site access.  Applicants must be more specific than ever about their proposed research and how they plan to execute their work if funded. Note that preference will still be given to the strongest applications. The additional information collected will help determine the terms each award during these unusual times.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Research Department Coordinator, Katy Morris ([email protected]) with any additional questions or concerns.

About

The MHS will offer more than 20 short-term research fellowships in 2021. Most grants will provide a stipend of $2,000 for four weeks of research at the Society sometime between 1 July 2021, and 30 June 2022. Short-term awards are open to independent scholars, advanced graduate students, and holders of the Ph.D. or the equivalent. Applicants who do not reside in the U.S. must indicate their citizenship. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or already hold the J-1 visa or equivalent documents that will allow them to accept the stipend. Foreign nationals must consult with MHS staff about their eligibility to receive a stipend before submitting an application.

Fellowships to Be Awarded in the Next Cycle

African American Studies Fellowship
This award will support research at the Massachusetts Historical Society in African American History.
Past recipients

Andrew Oliver Research Fellowship
This fellowship will support research in the Society's collections of portraits, engravings, silhouettes, and other graphic materials.
Past recipients

Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships
The Society will appoint approximately nine Mellon fellows. Any project for which the Society's collections are appropriate is eligible for consideration.
Past recipients

Benjamin F. Stevens Fellowship
This award supports research on any aspect of the history of New England.
Past recipients

C. Conrad & Elizabeth H. Wright Fellowship
The C. Conrad and Elizabeth H. Wright Fellowship supports research in the Society's holdings on any aspect of American religious history.
Past recipients

Kenneth and Carol Hills Fellowship in Colonial History
This fellowship supports research in the colonial period with preference given to digital history topics.
Past recipients

Louis Leonard Tucker Alumni Fellowships
Due to the generosity of past fellowship recipients, the Society will appoint at least one Alumni Fellow. Any project for which the Society's collections are appropriate is eligible for consideration.
Past recipients

Malcolm and Mildred Freiberg Fellowship
This award supports research relating to reading and publishing.
Past recipients

Mary B. Wright Environmental History Fellowship
The grant supports research in the Society’s holdings on all aspects of its subject broadly defined, including, but not limited to, the history of agriculture, climate and society, the environment and the economy, environmental activism, environmental education, environmental literature, outdoor recreation, public health, and public policy.
Past recipients

Marc Friedlaender Fellowship
Documentary editing projects and research on the Adams family receive priority for this award.
Past recipients

Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati Fellowship
The grant supports research projects pertaining to the era of the American Revolution.
Past recipients

Military Historical Society of Massachusetts Fellowship
The grant supports the study of military history in any form.
Past recipients

Ruth R. & Alyson R. Miller Fellowships
These awards are to encourage research in women's history.
Past recipients

W.B.H. Dowse Fellowships
The Society's W.B.H. Dowse Fund will provide support for two scholars studying the history of colonial New England.
Past recipients

How to Apply for a Short-term Fellowship

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the below materials through our application portal.

• A cover letter.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A project proposal approximately 1,000 words in length.
  The proposal should include:
  a) a description of the project;
  b) a statement explaining the historiographical significance of
  the project;
  c) an indication of the specific MHS collections the applicant
  wishes to consult.
• A short project description approximately 100 words in length.
• Applicants who do NOT hold a Ph.D.: One letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with your work and with the project being proposed. Please note that the letter is due at the application deadline. You may initiate your recommendation request through our application portal at any time - you do not need to wait until your application is complete.

Please submit only one application; applicants will automatically be considered for all short-term fellowships for which they are eligible.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 1 March 2021.

Questions?

Please direct questions to [email protected], (617) 646-0577. Stay informed about fellowship deadlines and follow all our other activities on Twitter @MHS_Research.