The Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowships 2027–28 are now open for applications, offering scholars an opportunity to spend one to two months in residence at the Newberry Library in Chicago, United States, conducting intensive research using the institution’s unique and extensive collections.

The fellowship is designed for PhD-holding scholars and PhD candidates who have reached ABD (All But Dissertation) status or its equivalent and whose research requires access to specific materials held in the Newberry’s collections. Successful fellows receive a $3,000 monthly stipend to help cover housing, travel, and other living and research-related expenses associated with their residency in Chicago.

The program is particularly valuable for researchers whose work depends on primary sources, rare books, manuscripts, maps, historical documents, and other specialized materials that may be difficult to access remotely.

Deadline: December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

About the Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowship

The Newberry Library is an independent research library in Chicago with millions of historical sources and materials documenting people, cultures, places, and events across time.

Its fellowship program provides researchers with the time, resources, and scholarly environment needed to undertake intensive research. Fellows do not simply receive financial support; they also become part of the Newberry’s scholarly community during their period of residence.

The Short-Term Fellowship program specifically supports researchers who need to examine particular items in the Newberry’s collections for a defined scholarly project.

Unlike the Newberry’s Long-Term Fellowships, which support four to nine months of research, Short-Term Fellows generally spend one month in residence. Certain named fellowships can provide two months of support, depending on the fellowship.

For researchers who have identified specific Newberry materials that are essential to their work, this can provide an efficient way to spend concentrated time working directly with those sources.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful Short-Term Fellows receive several important benefits.

1. $3,000 Monthly Stipend

Short-Term Fellows receive $3,000 per month.

The stipend is intended to help cover the costs associated with undertaking research in Chicago, including:

• Housing
• Travel
• Living expenses
• Other costs associated with the research residency

The Newberry Library does not provide housing, so fellows are responsible for arranging their own accommodation during their fellowship.

2. One to Two Months of Research Residency

The majority of Short-Term Fellowships provide one month of support.

However, some specific fellowships provide longer support:

• Jody Enders Fellowship: 2 months
• Frances C. Allen Fellowship: 1–2 months
• Lester J. Cappon Fellowship in Documentary Editing: 1–2 months

The exact duration therefore depends on the fellowship for which an applicant is considered.

3. Access to Newberry Collections

The central benefit of the fellowship is the opportunity to conduct research directly with materials in the Newberry’s collections.

Applicants should therefore have a clear reason for needing to consult specific Newberry collection items rather than simply wanting general research time in Chicago.

The Newberry has millions of collection items, including materials relevant to areas such as American history and culture, maps and cartography, books, manuscripts, performing arts, and American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

4. Participation in a Scholarly Community

Fellows become part of the Newberry’s scholarly community during their residency.

This creates opportunities to interact with other researchers and engage with the intellectual environment surrounding the library’s collections and research programs.

For scholars working on specialized historical or humanities research, this environment can provide valuable academic connections and opportunities to develop their work.

What Fields of Study Are Eligible?

One of the major advantages of the fellowship is that applicants can come from any academic field, provided that their proposed project demonstrates a genuine need to work with materials in the Newberry collection.

This means applicants should not assume that they must be studying one particular discipline.

Potentially relevant fields may include areas such as:

• History
• Literature
• Cultural studies
• American studies
• Indigenous studies
• Anthropology
• Sociology
• Religious studies
• Philosophy
• Political history
• Art history
• Musicology
• Theatre and performance studies
• Linguistics
• Medieval and Renaissance studies
• Early modern studies
• Cartography and the history of maps
• Archival studies
• Documentary editing
• Genealogy
• Other humanities and related disciplines

However, simply belonging to one of these disciplines does not automatically make an applicant competitive.

The research project itself must demonstrate a specific need to consult Newberry materials.

What Makes a Strong Fellowship Project?

A strong application should make a clear connection between the applicant’s research and the Newberry’s collections.

Applicants should be able to explain:

1. What they are researching
2. Why the research matters
3. Which Newberry materials they need
4. Why those materials are important to the project
5. What they intend to accomplish during the residency
6. Why the research needs to be conducted in person

This is particularly important because the Short-Term Fellowship is not simply a general travel grant.

The purpose is to enable scholars to conduct focused research using specific collection items at the Newberry.

Applicants should therefore investigate the Newberry’s collections and research guides before preparing their proposal. The library provides collection descriptions and research resources to help scholars identify relevant materials.

Application Requirements

The Newberry processes fellowship applications through its SlideRoom online application portal.

The general Short-Term Fellowship application includes several components designed to give reviewers a detailed understanding of the researcher, project, and need for a Newberry residency.

1. Personal, Demographic and Professional Information

Applicants will need to provide personal and professional information relevant to their academic or research background.

This can include information concerning:

• Academic institution
• Academic rank or professional position
• Department
• PhD-granting institution
• Date of PhD award
• Previous fellowships
• Previous Newberry fellowship applications or awards

Current PhD candidates should provide their anticipated completion date where applicable.

2. Research Project Information

The research project is one of the most important parts of the application.

Applicants should clearly explain the proposed project and establish the relationship between the project and the Newberry’s collections.

A strong proposal should demonstrate that the applicant has done sufficient preliminary research to identify the materials they need to consult.

The Newberry advises applicants with questions about its materials to contact its librarians.

3. Selective Secondary Source Bibliography

Applicants are required to submit a one-page selective secondary-source bibliography related to or contextualizing their research project.

This should demonstrate that the applicant understands the existing scholarship surrounding the proposed research.

The bibliography should be submitted in Word or PDF format.

4. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit a current CV of no more than five pages.

The Newberry provides specific terminology for describing forthcoming publications:

• In progress: not yet completed or submitted
• Submitted: currently under review
• Accepted: contracted for publication and undergoing revision
• In press: with a copy editor, typesetter, or printer

Applicants should therefore make sure their CV accurately represents the status of their publications.

5. Fellowship Duration Requested

Applicants will indicate how many months of support they are requesting.

The majority of Short-Term Fellowships provide one month, while certain fellowships may support two months.

6. Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation is required for Short-Term Fellowship applicants.

The recommendation should address:

• The scholarly contribution of the proposed project
• The value of a Newberry residency to the applicant
• The applicant’s qualifications

The recommendation must be submitted in English.

Importantly, recommendation letters may be submitted for up to 10 days after the fellowship application deadline. For the 2027–28 cycle, the stated deadline for recommendation letters is December 14, 2026.

Fellowship Period and Timing

Awards can be taken at any point within the 15-month period between June of the awarding year and August of the following year.

This provides successful fellows with some flexibility when planning their research residency.

However, applicants should carefully plan their proposed dates around:

• Collection access
• Research needs
• Academic schedules
• Housing availability
• Travel arrangements
• The Newberry’s operating schedule

The Newberry notes that fellowship orientations occur on Tuesdays and that the library is closed on Sundays and holidays, while Special Collections and other reading rooms are closed on Mondays.

Special Short-Term Fellowship Opportunities

In addition to the general short-term fellowship funding, the Newberry offers several fellowships with specific eligibility or research preferences.

John S. Aubrey Fellowship

This fellowship supports scholars who demonstrate a specific need to use the Newberry’s collections.

It is therefore one of the general opportunities potentially available to researchers across fields.

Lester J. Cappon Fellowship in Documentary Editing

This fellowship supports researchers working on historical editing projects that are being prepared for scholarly editions.

It is specifically open to postdoctoral scholars and can provide one or two months of support.

Jody Enders Fellowship

The Jody Enders Fellowship supports exceptional scholars at any career stage whose projects relate to:

• Medieval theatre
• Renaissance theatre
• Other live art forms
• Rhetoric
• Translation

Preference is given to projects focused on areas outside Britain.

This fellowship provides two months of support.

Fellows’ Fellowship

The Fellows’ Fellowship supports scholars who demonstrate a specific need for the Newberry’s collections.

Preference is given to early-career scholars in all fields whose research relates to:

• Women’s studies
• Spirituality
• Venice

Applicants do not necessarily need to be working directly in these areas to be considered for the broader Short-Term Fellowship program.

Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois Fellowship

This fellowship supports projects relating to:

• Early American history
• Transatlantic history

It is another example of how the Newberry’s named fellowships can provide targeted opportunities within the broader Short-Term Fellowship program.

Fellowships with Additional Membership Requirements

Some Newberry Short-Term Fellowships have additional eligibility requirements.

Midwest Modern Language Association Fellowship

This fellowship supports scholars who:

• Are members of the Midwest Modern Language Association
• Are working on projects in literary and cultural criticism

Applicants must indicate their interest on the Short-Term Fellowship application form, after which the Newberry will confirm membership status with the MMLA.

Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium Fellowships

The Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies supports two awards:

• One for a postdoctoral scholar
• One for a PhD candidate

Projects should focus on:

• Medieval studies
• Renaissance studies
• Early modern studies

Applicants must come from institutions participating in the Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium.

Eligible postdoctoral applicants can include full-time faculty members, adjunct faculty, librarians, and curators.

Fellowships for Indigenous Scholars

The Newberry also offers specialized fellowships for Indigenous scholars.

The Frances C. Allen Fellowship and Susan Kelly Power and Helen Hornbeck Tanner Fellowship support scholars who are:

• Citizens of federally recognized U.S. tribal nations;
• Documented descendants of federally recognized U.S. tribal nations; or
• Native Hawaiian individuals.

Importantly, research does not have to focus specifically on American Indian or Indigenous Studies for these fellowships.

The Frances C. Allen Fellowship supports female scholars and can provide one or two months of support, while the Power and Tanner Fellowship is open to all qualifying scholars and provides one month of support.

These are specialized opportunities within the broader Newberry fellowship ecosystem and should not be confused with the general Short-Term Fellowship eligibility.

Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?

It is important to understand what the $3,000 stipend means.

The fellowship provides $3,000 per month, intended to support:

• Housing
• Travel
• Living expenses
• Other expenses connected to residing in Chicago

However, the Newberry does not provide housing.

Therefore, applicants should not automatically describe this as a fully funded fellowship covering every possible expense.

Instead, it is more accurately described as a funded short-term research fellowship providing a $3,000 monthly stipend.

Researchers should prepare a realistic budget, particularly if they are traveling internationally to Chicago.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027–28 Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowship is:

December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Applicants should not wait until the final day to begin the application because the process involves preparing a research proposal, bibliography, CV and securing a recommendation letter.

Recommendation letters or other required supporting materials must be submitted no later than December 14, 2026, according to the Newberry’s application guidance. How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Newberry Library’s SlideRoom portal.

Apply Here

Before applying, prospective applicants should:

1. Review the Short-Term Fellowship eligibility requirements.
2. Explore the Newberry’s collections and research guides.
3. Identify the specific collection materials needed for the project.
4. Develop a clear research proposal.
5. Prepare the selective secondary-source bibliography.
6. Update the academic CV to a maximum of five pages.
7. Identify an appropriate recommender.
8. Ensure the recommender understands the scholarly purpose of the proposed Newberry residency.
9. Complete the SlideRoom application.
10. Submit the application before the December 4 deadline.
11. Confirm that the recommendation letter is submitted by December 14.

Applicants who have questions about Newberry materials for their project can contact the library’s research staff. The fellowship page lists research@newberry.org for fellowship-related questions.

Why This Fellowship Is Valuable for Researchers

The Newberry Short-Term Fellowship can be especially valuable for researchers whose work depends on primary-source research.

A scholar may have a strong research question but need to physically examine historical documents, manuscripts, maps, books, archival records, or other specialized materials that cannot be adequately studied through digital copies or secondary literature.

A concentrated residency provides the researcher with dedicated time to:

• Examine primary sources
• Take research notes
• Compare archival materials
• Verify historical evidence
• Develop chapters or articles
• Strengthen a dissertation
• Prepare a scholarly edition
• Advance a book project
• Build relationships with other researchers
• Develop new interpretations based on primary sources

The Newberry describes its broader fellowship program as providing researchers with the time, space and community needed to pursue innovative scholarship.

Important Tip for Applicants

One of the strongest ways to improve an application is to avoid presenting the fellowship simply as an opportunity to “visit Chicago” or “conduct research at a prestigious library.”

Instead, demonstrate a specific scholarly need.

For example, your proposal should make it clear:

“My project requires consultation of these particular Newberry collection materials because…”

Then explain how examining those materials will advance your research.

Applicants should also research the collections carefully before applying. The Newberry recommends its research guides, bibliographies, checklists and collection descriptions as resources for identifying relevant materials.

The more precisely you can connect your research question, the specific collection materials and the expected research outcomes, the stronger the rationale for a short-term residency becomes.

Other Newberry Opportunities

Researchers who do not meet the Short-Term Fellowship eligibility requirements may still find other Newberry opportunities.

Artists-in-Residence Fellowships

Writers, artists and other creative researchers who do not hold a PhD or ABD status may be better suited to the Newberry’s Artist-in-Residence Fellowship program.

NCAIS Fellowships

Faculty members and graduate students from institutions affiliated with the Newberry Consortium in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (NCAIS) may qualify for NCAIS fellowships and research awards. These programs have separate application requirements and deadlines.

Tribal Research Fellowships

Researchers conducting work on behalf of a U.S. federally recognized tribal nation can explore the Tribal Research Fellowship. That program supports individuals or small groups working with federally recognized tribal nations and can provide up to $10,000 depending on the project.

Long-Term Fellowships

Researchers who need substantially more time may consider the Newberry’s Long-Term Fellowships. These provide four to nine months of research support and offer $5,000 per month. Applicants must already hold a PhD at the time of application. The 2027–28 deadline is November 20, 2026.

Read Full Details about this fellowship HERE

Opportunity Summary

Conclusion

The Newberry Library Short-Term Fellowships 2027–28 provide an excellent opportunity for PhD researchers and ABD doctoral candidates who need direct access to specialized primary sources in one of America’s major research libraries.

With $3,000 per month in funding, a one- to two-month research residency, access to Newberry collections and participation in a scholarly research community, the fellowship can help researchers make substantial progress on dissertations, books, articles, documentary editions and other scholarly projects.

The most important consideration for prospective applicants is the connection between their project and the Newberry’s collections. Applicants should identify the specific materials they need, explain why those materials are essential to their research and demonstrate what they expect to accomplish during their residency.

The application deadline is December 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Recommendation letters may be submitted until December 14, 2026.

For researchers whose scholarship depends on primary sources held by the Newberry, this fellowship could provide both the financial support and dedicated research environment needed to take their work to the next stage.