The ATBL Fellowship is a special program within the American Philosophical Society’s Franklin Research Grants. The American Trust for the British Library (ATBL) adds a research stipend to short-term grants from partner American collections, the APS among them.
Fellows use collections in any department of the British Library in London.
Benefits & funding
- US$2,500 stipend for British Library research, on top of the Franklin grant.
- The Franklin grant itself: up to US$7,000 (grants page); the 2026 sample form caps requests at US$6,500.
- A short research report to the ATBL at the end of the fellowship year, plus Franklin project and financial reports.
Eligibility
- Must win a Franklin Research Grant and opt in to ATBL consideration.
- A doctorate, or published work of doctoral character and quality; Ph.D. candidates are not eligible.
- U.S. citizens (living anywhere), or foreign nationals and permanent residents living in the U.S. and affiliated with a U.S. institution; foreign nationals without a U.S. affiliation may only use Franklin awards for research in the U.S.
- Past Franklin recipients must wait two years to reapply.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral character and quality. … Foreign nationals not affiliated with a U.S. institution must use their Franklin awards for research in the United States.” Eligibility
Education required
PhD
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Application process
- 1Submit one Franklin application in the APS portal by October 1 or December 1, ticking interest in the ATBL Fellowship, with two letters due the same day.
- 2If the Franklin grant is awarded, the ATBL invites you to send a 1–2 page research statement, a bibliography of British Library materials and a CV.
Program timeline
October 1, 2026
First deadline (decision January 2027).
December 1, 2026
Second deadline (decision March 2027).
Late spring
ATBL notifies fellows.
Franklin-funded work period.
February/April 2027 – January 2028