Dissertation Fellowships

Long-term dissertation fellowships support one or two semesters of research in residence in the collections of the Library Company and those of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

We welcome applications from PhD students and candidates who would benefit from support for archival research rather than those who are in the final stages of writing.

Image: Detail of “Vincit qui se vincit” scrap from the title page of a scrapbook of Charles A. Poulson, ca. 1850s. (4)2526.F

Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch Dissertation Fellowship in Women’s History

Offered by the Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch Program in Women’s History, this one-semester fellowship supports dissertation research on any aspect of women’s history (broadly defined) documented in the Library Company’s collections.

Program in Early American Economy and Society Dissertation Fellowship

The Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) Dissertation Fellowship supports research in residence in early American political economy and society, broadly defined, from its colonial beginnings to the 1850s. Either a nine-month fellowship (September to May) or a one-semester fellowship may be awarded.

Program in African American History Dissertation Fellowship

The Program in African American History (PAAH) Dissertation Fellowship supports research in African American history and culture (broadly defined) of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Either a nine-month fellowship (September to May) or a one-semester fellowship may be awarded.

Applications

Applications for the 2025-26 dissertation fellowships cycle will be accepted from September 1, 2024, until the submission deadline of January 15, 2025. Decisions will be announced by March 15. 

Applicants may submit a single application to be considered for all long-term dissertation fellowships for which their projects are eligible. Applicants who do not receive a long-term dissertation fellowship award may choose to be considered for a short-term (one-month) award; there is no need to submit a separate application for a short-term fellowship.

The stipend is $30,000 for a nine-month award or $15,000 for a one-semester award.

For full application instructions, visit this page.

For more information

For general information about fellowships and application procedures, email fellowships@librarycompany.org.

See the Fellowships FAQ page for additional information and contact details.