The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History runs annual short-term fellowships for researchers in American history.
Each fellow makes a research trip to New York City to work in archives such as the Gilder Lehrman Collection, the New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center, the New-York Historical Society and Columbia University Libraries.
Benefits & funding
- US$3,000 per fellowship, a fixed research award.
- The New York research must be finished within one year of notification.
- Duties: meet the program’s director during the trip, then submit a 750–1,000-word essay plus a paragraph on the collections consulted.
Eligibility
- Doctoral candidates, college and university faculty of any rank, and independent scholars working in American history.
- Projects on any aspect of American history; the 2026 call gives preference to colonial America, slavery and abolition, and the Cold War.
- The pages read set no nationality or residence rule.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Write a 2–5 page proposal with contact details, the primary sources you will consult and an estimated budget.
- 2Add a CV (any length).
- 3Arrange two letters of recommendation from established scholars.
- 4Submit online by 26 October 2026.
Program timeline
Application deadline
26 October 2026
All applicants notified
9 November 2026
Within one year of notification
New York research completed