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Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Libraries Fellowships

The Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, libraries announces new annual fellowships, linking and supporting scholars working with material in SCUA’s collections. For the first time, fellowships are being offered for graduate students, early career professionals, and independent scholars interested in the spiritual dimensions of social change; the history of work, labor, and industry; and the value of human life. These new fellowships join the well-established W. E. B. Du Bois Research Fellowship and expand the breadth of subjects for researchers to delve into during short-term residential research appointments.

Brother David Steindl-Rast Fellowship: The fellowship supports research that engages with the spiritual dimensions of social change.
Eligibility: Graduate students and early career professionals (within five years of receipt of a PhD). Independent scholars and those outside academia are strongly encouraged to apply.

Kenneth R. Feinberg Fellowships: Two annual fellowships support research that touches on the theme of the value of human life or otherwise resonates with the legacy of Kenneth R. Feinberg.
Eligibility: Graduate students and early career professionals (within five years of receipt of a PhD).

John William Bennett Fellowship: The fellowship supports research in and writing on the history of labor, work, and industry, honoring the legacy of labor historian and activist John William Bennett.
Eligibility: Graduate students and early career professionals (within five years of receipt of a PhD). Proposals by labor historians without academic affiliation will also be considered.

Esperantic Studies Foundation Fellowship: The fellowship supports research in the history and culture of planned languages, with a strong emphasis on Esperanto and the Esperanto movement.
Eligibility: Graduate students and early career professionals (within five years of receipt of a PhD).

The Du Bois Research Fellowships are managed by SCUA’s partner, the W. E. B. Du Bois Center. For information and to apply, visit the Du Bois Center’s Web site.

Application Process
The 2020 fellowship application is due on 6 March 2020; awards will be announced on 1 April. Fellows will be selected according to the scholarly merit of their proposal as judged by the committee of reviewers, demonstrated need to use SCUA’s holdings, and fit to the particular fellowship program.

SCUA uses a single, online-only application process for all fellowship programs. A completed applicant’s packet must include the following:

  • A brief biographical statement of no more than 350 words with a description of your larger research agenda to be used for publicity purposes
  • An overview of the proposed project not to exceed three pages
  • A current résumé or CV
  • One confidential letter of reference

For more information, please visit www.library.umass.edu/news/umass-special-collections-offering-first-ever-fellowships-in-spirituality-and-social-change-the-value-of-human-life-and-the-history-of-work-labor-and-industry/.