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Short-term Research Fellowships

Spotlight: Environmental History Fellowship

The Massachusetts Historical Society is pleased to offer a short-term research fellowship through the generosity of Cushing Academy. The Cushing Academy Fellowship on Environmental History will support four weeks of research in the Society's collections on aspects of Environmental History including land use, water and waterways, climate and weather, the environmental consequences of transportation policy, public health, vegetation change, and natural disasters.

The MHS will offer approximately 20 short-term research fellowships in 2014. Except where otherwise noted, each grant will provide a stipend of $1,500 for four weeks of research at the Society sometime between 1 July 2014, and 30 June 2015. Short-term awards are open to independent scholars, advanced graduate students, and holders of the Ph.D. or the equivalent, with candidates who live 50 or more miles from Boston receiving preference. 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. Please contact us if you have a question about your eligibility or if your documentation is pending.

How to Apply for a Fellowship

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

Alumni Fellowship
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. It carries a stipend of $2,000.
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

Cushing Academy Fellowship on Environmental History
This grant supports research on any aspect of environmental history. The recipient will conduct research for at least four weeks at the Society and teach one day at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham (transportation available). It carries a stipend of $2,500.
Past recipients

Malcolm and Mildred Freiberg Fellowship
This award supports research relating to reading and publishing. It carries a stipend of $2,000.
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. It carries a stipend of $2,000.
Past recipients

Ruth R. & Alyson R. Miller Fellowships
These awards are to encourage research in women's history. They carry a stipend of $2,000.
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 following materials online:

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.

Applicants who do not hold a Ph.D.: A letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with your work and with the project being proposed.

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

Apply online

Please note: All applicants will receive an email with instructions for submitting a letter of recommendation. The text of this email is available via a link on the main page of each individual's application.