Dissertation Fellowships

Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Dissertation Fellowship

The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Dissertation Fellowship supports dissertation research in residence at the Library Company on any subject relevant to its collections. The term of the fellowship is September 1 to May 31, with a stipend of $25,000. The award may be divided between two applicants, each of whom would receive $12,500 for the period September 1 to January 15 or January 15 to May 31.

Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) Dissertation Fellowship

The Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) Dissertation Fellowship supports dissertation research in residence at the Library Company in early American economy and society, broadly defined, from its colonial beginnings to the 1850s. The term of the fellowship is September 1 to May 31, with a stipend of $25,000. The award may be divided between two applicants, each of whom would receive $12,500 for the period September 1 to January 15 or January 15 to May 31.

Program in African American History Mellon Scholar Dissertation Fellowship

The Program in African American History (PAAH) Mellon Scholar Dissertation Fellowship is designed to increase the participation of scholars from underrepresented backgrounds and others in the field of African American history prior to 1900. The fellowships promote research in residence in the collections of the Library Company and enhance the production of scholarly work in African American history of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Applicants must be in the later stages of research or writing. The term of the fellowship is September 1 to May 31 with a stipend of $25,000. The award may be divided between two applicants, each of whom would receive $12,500 for the period September 1 to January 15 or January 15 to May 31.

Applications

Applications for 2023–24 dissertation fellowships have closed. Applications for 2024–25 fellowships will open later this year.

To apply, fill out the online application form and upload a single PDF file containing the following elements:

  • a brief CV
  • a ca. 150-word project abstract
  • a description of your proposed research (not to exceed 1,500 words)
  • a writing sample of no more than 25 pages

The proposal should make clear how Library Company collections will support your research. Application files should be named using this format: Lastname_Firstname_application.

In addition, two letters of recommendation in PDF format should be uploaded here; please ask recommenders to name files using this format: Lastname_Firstname_letter.

Applicants may complete a single application to be considered for both long-term dissertation fellowships and short-term awards. Dissertation fellowship selection committees convene first; applicants who do not receive a long-term dissertation fellowship awards may then be considered for short-term opportunities.

For more information

For assistance in determining how the Library Company’s collections might support a particular project, contact Librarian Emily Guthrie (eguthrie@librarycompany.org).

For general information about fellowships and application procedures, contact Fellowships Manager Christine Nelson (fellowships@librarycompany.org).

For more information about the PEAES award, contact PEAES Program Director Dr. Cathy Matson (cmatson@udel.edu).

For more information about the PAAH award, contact PAAH Program Director Dr. Deirdre Cooper Owens (paahdirector@librarycompany.org).