Mellon Scholars Summer Program in African American History
The Mellon Scholars Summer Program will be held June 7 – 17, 2026
Supported by the Program for African American History and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Mellon Scholars Program supports emerging scholars interested in African American history by providing 10 days of collections-based research and professional development workshops. Scholars will arrive on Sunday, June 7th, immerse themselves in the program throughout the week, give final presentations and attend our annual Juneteenth program on June 16th, and depart no later than Wednesday, June 17th.
Specifically, the program aims to:
- Encourage talented undergraduates and those persons dedicated to the study of early African American history to pursue careers in history, library science, and museum studies
- Strengthen the preparation and archival skills of graduate students from these groups for their independent research
- Provide an experience and tangible skills that will enhance their competitiveness when they apply to graduate schools or when seeking funding and jobs
Participants will complete an independent research project using the Library Company’s African American History collections, collaborate on an archival project that engages with primary sources, and publish a blog post about their research. (Blog posts by past participants may be viewed here.)
We cover housing and travel and provide participants with a modest honorarium.
Applications
Preference will be given to applications received by March 31, 2026.
Applicants must clearly explain how they will use the research collections in their proposed work. Please complete the online application form below.
Applicants must include:
- One (1) single PDF containing:
- A brief résumé.
- A 2–4 page personal statement that outlines future professional goals, how participation in the program will directly advance those goals, and how our collections will support your research interests.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore the research collections in advance using the catalog, subject guides, digital collections, online exhibitions, and more to ensure their proposal reflects a clear and informed engagement with the materials.
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic work should be sent to [email protected].
- Unofficial undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) school transcripts should be emailed to [email protected].