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Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026: $3,000 for American History Research in New York City

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Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026: $3,000 for American History Research in New York City

Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026: $3,000 for American History Research in New York City

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Applications are now open for the Gilder Lehrman Institute Scholarly Fellowships 2026, offering short-term research funding to doctoral candidates, university and college faculty members, and independent scholars conducting research in the field of American history.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History awards annual short-term research fellowships valued at $3,000 each to support scholars who need to conduct research using historical collections and resources in New York City.

For the 2026 competition, the Institute expects to award ten Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships. While research projects covering all aspects of American history are eligible, the Institute has identified three areas that will receive particular attention during the current application cycle:

Three of the ten fellowships are specifically connected to these priority fields:

  1. John Winthrop Fellowship with a Focus on Colonial History
  2. Scholarly Fellowship in Slavery and Abolition Studies
  3. Scholarly Fellowship in Cold War Studies

Preference will be given to strong applications in these fields, but researchers working on other periods and subjects in American history are still encouraged to apply.

The fellowship is open internationally. Eligible applicants include doctoral candidates, academic faculty members at every rank, and independent scholars.

Successful applicants must complete their funded research in New York City within one year of notification of the award.

Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, October 26, 2026.

About the Gilder Lehrman Institute Scholarly Fellowships

The Gilder Lehrman Institute provides its Scholarly Fellowships to support researchers undertaking original work in American history.

The programme has a long record of supporting historians and other scholars at different stages of their academic careers. Since the fellowship programme began in 1994, the Institute has awarded 723 fellowships.

Rather than limiting support exclusively to established professors, the programme deliberately includes several categories of researchers:

This makes the fellowship particularly valuable for researchers who need relatively short-term financial assistance to complete archival research connected with a dissertation, book project, article, or other substantial scholarly work.

Fellowship Value

Each Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowship provides:

$3,000

The fellowship is designed as short-term research support.

The Institute does not describe the award as a full scholarship covering every cost associated with travel, accommodation, and living expenses. Applicants are therefore required to include an anticipated budget within their project proposal explaining how they expect to use the fellowship funds.

Researchers should plan carefully for costs associated with conducting research in New York City.

Number of Fellowships Available

For the 2026 competition, the Gilder Lehrman Institute plans to award:

Ten Scholarly Fellowships

Among these ten awards, three are linked to specific thematic research priorities.

The remaining fellowships remain open to high-quality research covering the broader field of American history.

Research Field: American History

The programme is specifically intended for scholars working in:

American history

The Institute welcomes applications examining a wide variety of themes, periods, populations, institutions, movements, events, and historical processes.

Although the 2026 call gives preference to three particular fields, applicants should not assume that projects outside those areas are ineligible.

The official call explicitly states that:

Projects on all aspects of American history are welcome.

This creates opportunities for researchers working across a broad range of subjects.

Potential fields may include political, social, cultural, economic, diplomatic, military, intellectual, legal, gender, labor, racial, transnational, or environmental history, provided the project makes a meaningful contribution to the study of American history.

Special Priority Area 1: Colonial American History

One of the special awards available in 2026 is the:

John Winthrop Fellowship with a Focus on Colonial History

The fellowship specifically supports research concerning the colonial era.

The award is funded by John Winthrop, a descendant of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The Gilder Lehrman Collection includes an important 1634 letter written by Winthrop describing life in Boston, helping connect the fellowship with the Institute’s historical holdings.

Researchers whose work focuses on colonial America may therefore have a particularly strong opportunity during the 2026 competition.

Relevant research could potentially engage with topics such as:

Applicants should still formulate an original research project rather than relying only on the broad priority area.

Special Priority Area 2: Slavery and Abolition Studies

The Institute is also offering a:

Scholarly Fellowship in Slavery and Abolition Studies

Projects examining the histories of slavery, emancipation, resistance, abolition, race, African American communities, and related themes may receive particular consideration.

This priority reflects the importance of slavery and abolition to understanding American political, social, economic, and cultural development.

Researchers could potentially work with archival material concerning:

The exact research question remains up to the applicant.

Special Priority Area 3: Cold War Studies

The third designated fellowship is the:

Scholarly Fellowship in Cold War Studies

Researchers studying the Cold War and its political, military, social, diplomatic, technological, cultural, or ideological dimensions are encouraged to apply.

Potential topics could include:

Projects do not necessarily need to follow traditional diplomatic-history approaches if they contribute meaningfully to understanding the American experience of the Cold War.

Other American History Topics Remain Eligible

Applicants should not interpret the three special fellowships as meaning that only colonial history, slavery and abolition, or Cold War research will be funded.

The Institute explicitly states that:

All areas of American history remain eligible.

The thematic priorities simply mean that applications in those three fields may receive particular attention.

A strong project outside the priority areas can still compete for one of the general Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships.

Who Can Apply?

The Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships are open to three principal groups.

1. Doctoral Candidates

Current PhD candidates working on American history can apply.

This may be especially useful for doctoral researchers who:

The call does not state that doctoral candidates must be enrolled at a U.S. university.

International doctoral researchers are explicitly eligible.

2. College and University Faculty

Faculty members may apply regardless of academic rank.

This means eligibility is not restricted only to:

Researchers at other academic ranks may also apply.

This broad eligibility allows faculty members at different career stages to seek support for research projects in American history.

3. Independent Scholars

Researchers who are not currently employed in a traditional university faculty position may also qualify as:

Independent scholars

This is particularly important because many research fellowships limit eligibility to scholars holding formal university appointments.

The Gilder Lehrman programme explicitly recognizes independent scholarship as an eligible category.

International Scholars Are Eligible

The programme explicitly states that:

International scholars are eligible to apply.

There is therefore no requirement that applicants:

Applicants from universities, research institutions, and independent scholarly communities outside the United States may apply.

However, successful Fellows must be able to conduct their research in New York City within the required period.

Applicants should therefore consider immigration, travel, and logistical requirements when developing their project and anticipated budget.

Research Must Be Conducted in New York City

Successful Fellows are required to complete their research in:

New York City

The research must be completed within:

One year of notification of the fellowship award

This means applicants should already have a reasonably clear understanding of:

The fellowship is therefore not simply a general award for producing scholarship from the applicant’s home institution.

It is specifically connected with a research trip to New York City.

Primary Sources Are Central to the Application

Applicants must include a list of the:

Primary sources they expect to consult

within their project proposal.

This requirement is important because it helps the selection committee determine whether the proposed research trip is genuinely necessary and well planned.

Candidates should therefore investigate collections before submitting their applications.

A strong application should identify specific archival materials rather than saying only:

“I plan to consult archives in New York.”

Applicants should demonstrate that they know what materials exist and how those materials connect with their research questions.

Fellowship Responsibilities

Receiving the fellowship involves several responsibilities beyond conducting archival research.

Successful Fellows must:

  1. Complete their research within one year of notification.
  2. Conduct their fellowship research in New York City.
  3. Meet with the Director of the Scholarly Fellowship Program during their research trip.
  4. Submit a written essay after the fellowship.
  5. Provide documentation regarding the archival collections consulted.

These requirements ensure that the Fellowship contributes not only to the scholar’s individual project but also to the Institute’s broader scholarly mission.

Meeting With the Fellowship Programme Director

During their research trip to New York City, Fellows are required to meet with the:

Director of the Scholarly Fellowship Program at the Gilder Lehrman Institute

Applicants should therefore plan their research visit in coordination with the Institute.

Post-Fellowship Essay

Successful Fellows are required to submit an essay of:

750–1,000 words

The essay should concern the Fellow’s research topic.

This creates an opportunity for Fellows to communicate aspects of their scholarship in an accessible format.

Archival Collections Statement

In addition to the essay, Fellows must provide:

A separate paragraph documenting the archival collections consulted during the fellowship period.

Researchers should therefore maintain a careful record of archives and collections used during their research trip.

Application Requirements

Applications require three major components:

  1. Project proposal
  2. Curriculum vitae
  3. Two recommendation letters

Project Proposal

Applicants must submit a project proposal of:

2–5 pages

The proposal should include several specific elements.

Current Contact Information

Applicants should include current contact details as required by the application instructions.

Project Description

The proposal should explain:

Primary Sources

Applicants must list the primary sources they expect to consult.

This should demonstrate preparation and feasibility.

Anticipated Budget

The proposal must also include an:

Anticipated budget

Applicants should explain how fellowship funds are likely to be used.

Depending on the applicant’s location and circumstances, this might include expenses associated with:

Candidates should develop a realistic rather than inflated budget.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit a:

Curriculum vitae

There is:

No stated page limit

The official call specifically says that the CV may be of any length.

However, applicants should still present information clearly and professionally.

Relevant sections may include:

Two Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must arrange:

Two letters of recommendation

The letters should come from:

Established scholars

Applicants should identify recommenders who understand both their research abilities and the importance of the proposed project.

Strong recommenders may be able to comment on:

Candidates should contact recommenders well before the deadline.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted online by:

11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, October 26, 2026

Applicants outside the United States should carefully convert the deadline into their local time zone.

Submitting several days early can help avoid problems involving:

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Gilder Lehrman Institute fellowship portal.

Official fellowship information

APPLY HERE

Contact Information

Questions about the programme can be directed to:

Email: fellowships@gilderlehrman.org

Telephone: 646-366-9666, ext. 129

Candidates with eligibility or application questions should use the official contact information rather than relying solely on third-party fellowship listings.

Examples of Current Fellows and Research Topics

The range of projects supported by the programme demonstrates the breadth of American history scholarship considered eligible.

Current Fellows include researchers working on subjects such as:

This diversity demonstrates that the programme supports work extending across:

Applicants should therefore focus on the quality and archival foundation of their research rather than assuming that only highly traditional historical topics are competitive.

Importance of Archival Preparation

Because the fellowship supports short-term research rather than a long residential appointment, applicants should arrive with a clear archival plan.

Before applying, candidates should identify:

A four-week research plan, for example, should identify what can realistically be accomplished during that period.

A strong proposal demonstrates that the Fellowship will enable work that could not easily be completed without access to the relevant New York collections.

Preparing a Competitive Project Proposal

1. Define a Clear Historical Question

Avoid proposing a topic that is too broad.

Instead of:

“Slavery in America”

a competitive research proposal should identify a focused problem, period, archive, population, or historical debate.

2. Explain the Scholarly Contribution

Reviewers should understand what the project adds to existing knowledge.

Applicants may explain whether their work:

3. Identify Specific Primary Sources

The application explicitly requires a list of primary sources.

This is not a minor administrative detail.

Applicants should demonstrate that they have already researched the collections relevant to their project.

4. Explain Why the Research Must Be Done in New York

A strong application should establish why access to New York City collections is essential to the project.

Reviewers should not be left wondering why the applicant needs to travel.

5. Create a Realistic Budget

Because the fellowship provides $3,000, applicants should present a credible plan for how the funding will support their research.

The budget should correspond to the scope and duration of the proposed visit.

6. Use the Special Priority Areas Strategically

Applicants working on:

should make that connection visible.

The Institute explicitly states that these fields receive special attention in the current competition.

Why the Gilder Lehrman Fellowship Can Be Valuable for PhD Candidates

Doctoral researchers often need archival evidence that cannot be accessed remotely.

A $3,000 fellowship can help reduce the financial barriers associated with research travel.

For PhD candidates, this might support:

The programme can also provide recognition from an established institution dedicated to American history.

Why Faculty Researchers Should Consider Applying

Faculty members at all ranks are eligible.

A short research fellowship can be particularly useful for academics working on:

Because there is no rank restriction, both junior and senior faculty members can compete.

Opportunities for Independent Scholars

Independent scholars are also explicitly welcomed.

Applicants outside formal university employment should ensure that their application demonstrates:

Independent status does not itself make an applicant less eligible.

Important Details at a Glance

Organization: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Opportunity: Scholarly Fellowships

Year: 2026

Number of awards: Ten

Value: $3,000 each

Research field: American history

Eligible applicants: Doctoral candidates, college and university faculty at every rank, and independent scholars

International applicants: Eligible

Research location: New York City

Research completion requirement: Within one year of award notification

Project proposal: 2–5 pages

CV: Any length

References: Two letters from established scholars

Post-fellowship essay: 750–1,000 words

Deadline: October 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Conclusion

The Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026 provide a valuable short-term research opportunity for scholars working across the broad field of American history.

Ten Fellows will receive $3,000 each to support research that must be completed in New York City within one year of notification of the award.

The programme is open to doctoral candidates, college and university faculty at every rank, and independent scholars. Importantly, international scholars are explicitly eligible, making this a genuinely global opportunity for researchers studying American history.

While projects on all aspects of American history are welcome, the 2026 competition gives particular attention to three areas: colonial history, slavery and abolition studies, and Cold War studies.

Three designated fellowships correspond to these priority themes: the John Winthrop Fellowship with a Focus on Colonial History, the Scholarly Fellowship in Slavery and Abolition Studies, and the Scholarly Fellowship in Cold War Studies.

Applications require a two-to-five-page project proposal including primary sources and an anticipated budget, a CV, and two letters of recommendation from established scholars.

Successful Fellows must conduct their research in New York City, meet with the Scholarly Fellowship Program Director during their research trip, and submit a 750–1,000-word essay together with a paragraph documenting the archives they consulted.

Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 26, 2026.

To discover more global fellowship opportunities, VISIT HERE.

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