Unless otherwise specified in the fellowships descriptions, applications consist of five elements:
1. The Cover Sheet asks for basic personal and professional information. Scholars applying for both long- and short-term fellowships must submit their application with both the long-term and the short-term coversheets. Download the form below. (Applicants for Frances C. Allen Fellowships must also fill out a form listing their tribal affiliation, educational plans, and proposed budget and append a bibliography.)
2. A Project Abstract of no more than 300 words.
3. A Project Description of no more than 1500 words. The project description is the most important part of the application. Please describe your project, explain its significance, describe the Newberry materials to be consulted while you are in residence, and outline your plan of work. Short-term applicants should take special care to be as specific as possible about Newberry materials to be consulted during the proposed fellowship period. When appropriate, applicants should also make specific reference to previous published scholarship that will be revised or supplanted by the proposed project. (Terra Foundation fellowship applicants should describe the materials to be consulted in any Chicago-area libraries or archives. Lipking-Newberry Fellowship applicants should follow the specific fellowship guidelines found on the long-term fellowships webpage).
4. A current Curriculum Vitae. Avoid submitting a bulky and difficult-to-read document. Please use the following commonly-accepted terms to describe forthcoming publications:
- "in progress" (not yet completed or submitted);
- "submitted" (currently under review at a journal or press);
- "accepted" (publisher committed to publication; currently under revision);
- "in press" (in the hands of copyeditor, typesetter, or printer).
List manuscript page or word counts for forthcoming publications.
5. Three Letters of Reference should speak to the proposed project as well as to the talents and qualifications of the applicant. We prefer that your referees send their letters electronically as attachments to research@newberry.org. In cases where referees are not able to send electronic copies, paper copies will be accepted. Please advise your referees not to send duplicate copies of their letters electronically and in paper format; one copy is sufficient and electronic copies are preferred. Please ask your referees to avoid faxing letters if possible. (École des Chartes Fellowship applicants must submit a fourth letter from their university certifying French language fluency. Lipking-Newberry Fellowship applicants need only submit one letter of reference.)
1. Download the appropriate cover sheet (see below). Fill in the shaded form fields using a word processing application.
2. Attach the following documents to an e-mail using these corresponding file names:
a. Cover Sheet b. Project Abstract c. Projet Description d. Curriculum Vitae
3. Send the e-mail to research@newberry.org. It is important that the subject line of your e-mail reads "Newberry Fellowship Application."
4. Send your references a copy of your project description. The most persuasive references speak specifically to the project the applicant proposes to carry out during the fellowship period. Remind them of the application deadline. We prefer that your referees send their letters electronically as attachments to research@newberry.org. In cases where referees are not able to send electronic copies, paper copies will be accepted. Please advise your referees not to send duplicate copies of their letters electronically and in paper format; one copy is sufficient. If your referees are sending paper copies, make sure they know that all deadlines are post-mark deadlines.
5. We will acknowledge receipt of all applications via e-mail. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of sending your application, please contact us at research@newberry.org or (312) 255-3666. Applications must be postmarked by the deadlines listed.
Applicants should compile and submit their application packets electronically. If this presents a problem for you, please call the Office of Research and Education at (312) 255-3666 to make other arrangements.
Application forms for 2009-2010 Fellowships are available online as Microsoft Word documents. Please let us know if you have any trouble downloading them in this format.
The cover sheets may be filled out on your computer. Once you open a form, position the cursor over a fill-in area or element. A black box will appear. Enter the appropriate data in each box or field. Please use clear abbreviations in order to ensure that all important information is visible.