Long-Term Fellowships

Applications for the 2027-28 Long-Term Fellowship program will open on August 17, 2026.

Newberry Library Long-Term Fellows are PhD-holding scholars at any stage of their career, from early career researchers to senior scholars. They spend four to nine months at the Newberry during the academic year working on a large-scale project, such as a book manuscript, with direct relation to the Newberry collections. Projects can be in any field, with a focus on the humanities and related disciplines.

The annual cohort of approximately ten Long-Term Fellows is at the heart of the Newberry's scholarly community. As well as working on their projects, fellows have the opportunity to share their work to the public during the weekly Colloquium program, to give and receive feedback on works-in-progress in a seminar setting, and to take part in the activities of the Newberry Research Centers.

Eligibility

Long-Term Fellowships are open to scholars in any field, regardless of faculty rank or position. Applicants must have received their PhD at the time of submitting their application.

Funding

Long-Term Fellows receive $5,000 per month for a period of 4 to 9 months. This stipend supports housing, travel, and other costs associated with living in Chicago. The Newberry does not provide housing for fellows.

Terms

Fellows must be in continuous residence at the Newberry for their entire fellowship period and may not hold other fellowships during their residency. The fellowship period occurs during the academic year. 9-month fellowships must begin in September; 4- or 5-month fellowships may begin in September or January. All fellows are expected to take part in the Newberry Colloquium and Fellows' Seminar programs.

How to Apply

Ready to start the process of applying for a fellowship? Here's everything you need to know.

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Fellowships FAQ

Answers to questions about the fellowship programs, eligibility, applications, and more.

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Through the generosity of donors and organizational partners, the Newberry is able to offer a range of Long-Term Fellowships. Fellowship awardees are matched with applicable fellowship funds and do not need to designate specific named fellowships in their applications. Awardees may receive support from more than one fund.

Mellon Foundation Fellowship

• Supporting scholarship in any field relevant to the Newberry’s collection

Richard H. Brown/William Lloyd Barber Fellowship

• Supporting scholarship in any area of American history that is relevant to the Newberry’s collection.

Evelyn Dunbar and Ruth Dunbar Davee Fellowship

• Supporting scholarship in music related to the Newberry's collection.

Lloyd Lewis Fellowship in American History

• Supporting scholarship in any area of American history that is relevant to the Newberry’s collection.

Audrey Lumsden-Kouvel Fellowship

• Supporting scholarship related to history and literature in the Late Medieval and Early Modern period. Preference will be given to projects focusing on the colonial Americas and Romance cultures, especially translations and topics focusing on Portuguese, Spanish, and Latin American Studies.

Monticello College Foundation Fellowship for Women

• Supporting a pre-tenure woman whose work points to a future of scholarly productivity and who would benefit significantly from being in residence at the Newberry. Preference will be given to projects concerned with the study of women.

Newberry Consortium in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (NCAIS) Faculty Fellowship

• NCAIS Faculty Fellows are considered part of the Long-Term Fellowship program, but this fellowship has different requirements and a separate application. To learn more, visit the NCAIS Fellowships page.