The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers Fellowship supports projects that depend directly on the research collections of The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. It welcomes academics, creative writers, independent scholars, and visual artists whose projects require extensive use of those collections.
Fellows work primarily at the Cullman Center in New York City from September 7, 2027, through May 26, 2028. The program emphasizes strong writing and exchange across the humanities, social sciences, scholarship, and creative practice.
Benefits & funding
- A stipend of $90,000 for the fellowship period.
- A nine-month period devoted to collection-based research and writing at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
Eligibility
- Academics, creative writers, independent scholars, and visual artists whose projects require extensive use of NYPL research collections may apply.
- The program is international and publishes no nationality or residency restriction for this fellowship.
- Applicants working in languages other than English are welcome, but they must be conversant in English and submit application materials in English.
- No degree level is required; however, the fellowship is not granted for academic projects to post-doctoral fellows or applicants conducting graduate-school dissertation research.
- NYPL staff members and their partners, and people active on specified Library governance bodies, are not eligible.
- Fellows must work at the Center Monday through Friday, avoid other major professional obligations, and keep time away during the term limited.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Review the eligibility guidelines and identify the NYPL collections the proposed project will use.
- 2Create an account in the Cullman Center online application portal using an email address, password, and the applicant’s name.
- 3Prepare the research proposal, curriculum vitae, new letters of recommendation, and a creative-writing or artwork sample when applicable; all materials must be in English.
- 4Complete and submit the online application by September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. EDT.
Program timeline
Application deadline
September 25, 2026, 5 p.m. EDT
Applicants notified
March 2027
Fellowship starts
September 7, 2027
Fellowship ends
May 26, 2028