Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowship program supports scholars who need to conduct intensive research using specific items from the Newberry’s world-renowned collections. Fellows spend one to two months in residence at the library in Chicago, engaging with primary sources and participating in the institution’s scholarly community.
This fellowship is particularly valuable for African scholars, including those from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, who require access to specialized archival materials unavailable in their home countries. The program welcomes international applicants and provides financial support to cover living expenses during the research period.
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Funding and Duration
Short-Term Fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 per month. This funding is designed to support housing, travel, and other costs associated with living in Chicago. The Newberry does not provide housing directly.
Most awards provide one month of support. Exceptions include:
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- Jody Enders Fellowship: 2 months (Medieval/Renaissance theater, rhetoric, or translation)
- Frances C. Allen Fellowship: 1-2 months (female Indigenous scholars)
- Lester J. Cappon Fellowship in Documentary Editing: 1-2 months (postdoctoral scholars only)
Awards can be taken up at any point during a 15-month window between June 2027 and August 2028.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship is open to:
- PhD-holding scholars at any career stage
- PhD candidates with ABD (all-but-dissertation) status or equivalent
Applicants do not need to be faculty members. Curators, librarians, independent scholars, and other professionals are welcome to apply. There are no restrictions by nationality, making this accessible to Zimbabwean and other African scholars.
The critical requirement is that your proposed project must demonstrate a specific need to work with particular items in the Newberry’s collection. Applications are accepted from any field of study.
Specialized Fellowship Opportunities
Several named fellowships have additional criteria:
- Frances C. Allen Fellowship: For female scholars who are citizens or documented descendants of U.S. federally recognized tribal nations or Native Hawaiian individuals. Preference to non-tenured women.
- Susan Kelly Power and Helen Hornbeck Tanner Fellowship: For scholars who are citizens or documented descendants of U.S. federally recognized tribal nations or Native Hawaiian individuals. One month only.
- Midwest Modern Language Association Fellowship: Requires MMLA membership.
- Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium Fellowships: Requires affiliation with a consortium member institution.
For Indigenous-focused fellowships, applicants must indicate interest on the application form and document their tribal or Native Hawaiian status.
Application Process
Applications for the 2027-28 program are submitted through the Newberry’s online system. The general application process does not require you to designate specific named fellowships—most applicants are matched automatically with appropriate funding sources.
Exceptions requiring explicit opt-in:
- Frances C. Allen Fellowship
- Susan Kelly Power and Helen Hornbeck Tanner Fellowship
- Midwest Modern Language Association Fellowship
Required Application Materials
While the research does not specify exact document requirements, standard fellowship applications typically include:
- Project proposal demonstrating need for Newberry collection items
- Curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
- PhD completion documentation or ABD verification
Applicants should consult the official application portal for the complete checklist.
Research Environment
The Newberry Library holds millions of sources spanning personal narratives and historic moments across centuries. Fellows gain access to specialized research guides, bibliographies, and collection descriptions curated by library staff.
During residence, fellows participate in the Newberry’s scholarly community, with opportunities to present work-in-progress and engage with other researchers.
Alternative Programs
If you do not meet the PhD or ABD requirement, consider these alternatives:
- 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 Native American and Indigenous Studies-affiliated institutions
Contact Information
For questions, contact the Fellowships staff:
- Sarah Mead Leonard, PhD, Associate Director
- Kira Schukar, Program Assistant
Email contact available through the official website.
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
