Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowship is a competitive research award for scholars who need hands-on access to specific materials in the Newberry’s world-renowned collections. Fellows spend one to two months in residence at the library in Chicago, conducting intensive research while participating in the institution’s scholarly community.
This fellowship is designed for researchers whose projects cannot be completed without direct examination of unique items held by the Newberry. The program welcomes applicants from all academic fields and career stages, provided they hold a PhD or are ABD (all-but-dissertation) doctoral candidates.
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Funding and Duration
Short-Term Fellows receive $3,000 per month. This stipend is intended to cover housing, travel, and other living expenses in Chicago. The Newberry does not provide housing directly.
Most awards provide one month of support. Three exceptions offer extended or flexible terms:
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- Jody Enders Fellowship: 2 months, for Medieval or Renaissance theater, rhetoric, or translation projects (preference for non-British topics)
- Frances C. Allen Fellowship: 1-2 months, for female Indigenous scholars (preference for non-tenured women)
- Lester J. Cappon Fellowship in Documentary Editing: 1-2 months, for postdoctoral scholars working on historical editing projects
Awards can be taken up at any point during a 15-month window from June 2027 through August 2028.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship is open to:
- PhD-holding scholars at any career stage
- PhD candidates with ABD status or equivalent
Applicants do not need to hold faculty positions. Curators, librarians, independent scholars, and other researchers are explicitly welcome. The key requirement is demonstrating a specific need to work with particular items in the Newberry’s collection.
Applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region are eligible, provided they meet the degree requirements and can secure appropriate visas for research residence in the United States.
Specialized Fellowship Categories
Several named fellowships have additional eligibility criteria:
- Frances C. Allen Fellowship and Susan Kelly Power and Helen Hornbeck Tanner Fellowship: For citizens or documented descendants of U.S. federally recognized tribal nations or Native Hawaiian individuals. The Allen Fellowship specifically supports female scholars.
- Midwest Modern Language Association Fellowship: Requires MMLA membership and projects in literary or cultural criticism.
- Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium Fellowships: Requires affiliation with a consortium member institution; one award for postdoctoral scholars, one for PhD candidates.
- Lester J. Cappon Fellowship: Postdoctoral scholars only, working on documentary editing.
- Anne Jacobson Schutte Fellowship: Preference for early-career scholars in early modern studies, especially women’s studies, spirituality, or Venice.
For most general fellowships, applicants are automatically matched with appropriate funds and do not need to designate specific awards in their application.
Who Should Not Apply
If you do not hold a PhD or ABD status, this fellowship is not for you. The Newberry offers alternative programs:
- Artists-in-Residence Fellowships: For writers, artists, and creative researchers without doctoral credentials
- Tribal Research Fellowship: For researchers working on behalf of U.S. federally recognized tribal nations
- NCAIS Fellowships: For faculty and graduate students from NCAIS-affiliated institutions in American Indian and Indigenous Studies
Application Process
Applications for the 2027-28 fellowship cycle are currently open. The deadline is December 4, 2026.
To apply:
- Visit the Newberry Library fellowships page and click “Apply Now”
- Complete the online application form
- Submit required documents (see below)
- For specialized fellowships (Allen, Power and Tanner, MMLA), indicate your interest on the application form
The Newberry will verify membership status for category-specific fellowships directly with relevant organizations.
Required Documents
While the research text does not specify exact document requirements, standard academic fellowship applications typically include:
- Curriculum vitae
- Research proposal (2-3 pages) demonstrating specific need for Newberry collection items
- Project bibliography identifying relevant Newberry holdings
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- Proof of PhD or ABD status
Applicants for Indigenous fellowships must provide documentation of tribal citizenship or Native Hawaiian status.
Research Opportunities and Joint Programs
Newberry fellowship awardees may also apply for joint fellowships with:
- Herzog August Bibliothek (Germany)
- American Trust for the British Library
These partnerships extend research opportunities across international collections.
Contact Information
For questions about the application process or eligibility:
- Sarah Mead Leonard, PhD — Associate Director
- Kira Schukar — Program Assistant
Email contact is available through the Newberry website.
Strategic Considerations for African Applicants
Researchers from Zimbabwe and SADC institutions should note several practical considerations:
- Visa requirements: Successful applicants will need to secure appropriate U.S. visas for research residence. Begin this process early upon award notification.
- Cost of living: The $3,000 monthly stipend must cover Chicago housing, which varies seasonally. Research accommodation options in advance.
- Collection access: Thoroughly identify specific Newberry holdings before applying. The library’s online research guides and bibliographies can help target relevant materials.
- Timing: The 15-month award window (June 2027–August 2028) allows flexibility to avoid Chicago’s winter months if preferred.
Official scholarship page: https://newberry.org/research/fellowships/short-term-fellowships
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships