Bodleian Visiting Fellowships 2027–2028 at the University of Oxford: Funding of Up to £2,200 per Month for International Researchers

The Bodleian Libraries are part of the University of Oxford and hold extensive collections of historical documents, manuscripts, printed books and other research materials. Their special collections support scholarship across numerous disciplines, including history, literature, music, the history of science, cultural studies, African studies, religious studies and the study of books and communication.

The Bodleian Visiting Fellowships in Special Collections are designed to enable researchers from outside the University of Oxford to undertake their own research projects using materials held in these collections, particularly at the Weston Library in Oxford.

Unlike a conventional taught programme, the fellowship is centred on an applicant’s proposed research project. Candidates should therefore have a clearly defined research question and be able to explain why the Bodleian’s particular collections are important to answering it.

The programme also encourages academic exchange. During their visits, fellows may be invited to present their work in progress, either formally or informally, within the University of Oxford or the Bodleian Libraries. Researchers are encouraged to consider publishing their findings in the Bodleian Library Record.

The fellowships support research visits lasting at least one month, and successful applicants must arrange their visits within the applicable fellowship year, which runs from 1 August to 31 July.

 Funding and financial support

One of the most important features of the Bodleian Visiting Fellowships is the financial support available to researchers undertaking their proposed research visits.

Unless a particular fellowship states otherwise, funding of up to £2,200 per month is available towards eligible costs associated with the research visit.

The exact amount received may depend on the eligible expenses, the method of payment and the applicant’s circumstances. The published terms also explain that payments may be subject to UK tax and National Insurance, depending on the method of disbursement and the recipient’s tax status. Consequently, the amount ultimately paid may be lower than the headline figure.

Applicants should understand that this is support for a research visit rather than a salary or employment contract.

What applicants should know about the funding

• Monthly financial support: Eligible research visit costs may be supported up to £2,200 per month, unless the relevant fellowship has different terms.

• Minimum visit duration: Proposed research visits must normally last at least one month.

• Agreed visit dates: The dates of the visit must be agreed with the Bodleian Libraries if an applicant receives an invitation.

• Accommodation: The Bodleian Libraries do not arrange accommodation for fellows. However, they may provide guidance on local accommodation listings.

• Travel and visa arrangements: Applicants are responsible for determining whether they need a UK visa and securing the appropriate permission to travel.

• Tax considerations: Depending on the circumstances, the funding may be subject to UK tax and National Insurance.

Because Oxford is an expensive place to live, prospective applicants should prepare a realistic budget for accommodation, meals, local transport and other costs that may not be covered by the award. Applicants should also confirm the eligible expenses and payment arrangements with the programme before making financial commitments.

Research areas covered by the Bodleian Visiting Fellowships

The programme includes several named fellowships designed to support different research interests. Applicants do not necessarily have to select a specific named fellowship when submitting their applications. According to the official guidance, successful proposals can be allocated to the appropriate fellowship strand.

The following opportunities are listed for the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle.

African Studies Visiting Fellowship

The African Studies Visiting Fellowship is intended for a scholar currently affiliated with a university in Sub-Saharan Africa who wishes to research the history of the region.

The Bodleian Libraries hold substantial African and Commonwealth archival materials that can support research into colonial history, political developments, institutions, social change and the work of individuals and organisations across the region.

Relevant holdings include papers associated with people who served in the Colonial Service, as well as individuals involved in agriculture, education, medicine, engineering and missionary activities.

The collections also include records connected with organisations such as:

• The Anti-Slavery Society.

• The Africa Bureau.

• The Fabian Colonial Bureau.

• The Anti-Apartheid Movement.

This fellowship may be particularly relevant to scholars investigating African political history, colonial and postcolonial relationships, development, social movements, institutional history or the historical experiences documented in these archives.

Important eligibility condition: Applicants must currently be affiliated with a university in Sub-Saharan Africa. This specific requirement is different from the general eligibility criteria for the wider fellowship programme.

Albi Rosenthal Visiting Fellowship in Music

This fellowship supports research using the Bodleian Libraries’ music special collections.

The collections include printed music dating from the sixteenth century onwards, alongside extensive music manuscripts from different historical periods. These materials can support research into musical composition, performance traditions, music publishing, manuscript studies and the historical development of music.

The fellowship honours Albi Rosenthal, a prominent twentieth-century dealer in music manuscripts, archives and rare books.

Researchers whose projects require consultation of original musical manuscripts or historical printed music may find this fellowship particularly relevant.

Ann Ball Bodley Visiting Fellowship in Women’s History

The Ann Ball Bodley Visiting Fellowship supports research in women’s history across geographical regions and historical periods.

It is intended for researchers who can use the Bodleian Libraries’ collections to advance scholarship concerning women’s experiences, contributions, representation and historical circumstances.

Potential research topics could include women’s participation in political movements, social and cultural change, education, working life, intellectual history or other areas supported by the available collections.

Fellows will normally be invited during one University of Oxford term. The fellowship is offered in association with Hertford College.

Applicants should identify the historical materials relevant to their proposed research and explain how those materials would contribute to the development of their scholarship.

Bahari Visiting Fellowship in the Persian Arts of the Book

The Bahari Visiting Fellowship supports research using the Bodleian’s Persian and Islamic Collections.

These collections provide resources for researchers investigating Persian literary and artistic traditions, Islamic manuscripts, book history, calligraphy and related areas of cultural and intellectual history.

Catalogue information for a substantial portion of the Bodleian’s Islamic manuscript collections is available through the Fihrist website, which can help researchers identify relevant materials before applying.

Additional application requirement: Applicants for this fellowship must include an article-length example of their written work alongside the application form and other required documents.

Candidates interested in this strand should make sure their research project clearly relates to the collections and that they meet the additional documentation requirements.

Byrne-Bussey Marconi Visiting Fellowship in the History of Science, Technology and Communication

This fellowship supports research into the history of science, technology and business innovation using the archival, manuscript, object and rare book collections of the Bodleian Libraries and the History of Science Museum.

It is especially relevant to researchers investigating the development of communication technologies, scientific innovation and the historical relationships between technology and business.

Applications are particularly encouraged from researchers examining wireless communication and the wireless industry.

The fellowship commemorates Douglas Byrne and Gordon Bussey, whose work helped secure the preservation of the Marconi Archives, now held in the special collections.

Researchers may find this fellowship suitable for projects involving the history of scientific discovery, communication networks, technological development, industrial innovation and the social or economic effects of scientific advances.

 Carr-Thomas-Ovenden Visiting Fellowship in English Literature

This fellowship supports a research visit by a scholar of English literature.

Preference is given to projects relating to the Romantic period, reflecting the strength of the Bodleian Libraries’ collections of manuscripts, printed books and secondary literature in this area.

Potential research themes may include literary history, authorship, the development of literary movements, manuscript studies and the historical contexts in which literary works were produced and circulated.

Applicants should demonstrate how consulting the Bodleian’s particular holdings would strengthen their research rather than relying solely on materials readily available elsewhere.

David Walker Memorial Visiting Fellowship in Early Modern History

The David Walker Memorial Visiting Fellowship supports research into any aspect of early modern history, with a broad geographical scope.

Researchers are expected to make use of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival, manuscript and rare book collections.

This strand may suit projects investigating political institutions, social and economic change, religious developments, intellectual history, historical networks or other topics from the early modern period.

The fellowship commemorates David Walker, whose postgraduate studies were undertaken at Lincoln College, Oxford.

 Humfrey Wanley Visiting Fellowship

The Humfrey Wanley Visiting Fellowship supports research using the Bodleian Library’s rare books and manuscripts collections.

It is named after Humfrey Wanley (1672–1726), a pioneering scholar of palaeography who worked at the Bodleian and contributed to the study and preservation of historical manuscripts.

The fellowship may be relevant to research into manuscript cultures, the history of libraries, the circulation of books, historical writing systems and the development of scholarly collections.

Researchers should explain which manuscripts or rare books are essential to their projects and why access to these materials is necessary.

The Lewis Carroll Visiting Fellowship

The Lewis Carroll Visiting Fellowship supports research connected with Lewis Carroll and his interests, using the special collections of Christ Church Library and the Bodleian Libraries.

The fellowship was established in connection with significant donations to the two institutions, including the exceptionally rare 1865 Michelson Alice and the Jon A. Lindseth Lewis Carroll Collection at Christ Church.

The range of possible research subjects extends beyond Lewis Carroll’s best-known literary works. Topics may include:

• Children’s literature.

• Humorous verse.

• Literary illustration.

• Nineteenth-century photography.

• The history of Oxford, its colleges, its university and its people.

• The cultural impact of mathematics.

• Other subjects related to Lewis Carroll and his interests.

Fellows will be invited to give a short presentation during their visit. The fellowship is offered in association with Christ Church.

Researchers considering this opportunity should ensure that their proposed project is connected to the relevant collections and the broad intellectual interests covered by the fellowship.

Queen Jadwiga Visiting Fellowship in Polish Studies

The Queen Jadwiga Visiting Fellowship supports research in Polish studies using the Bodleian Special Collections, including relevant materials held by the Taylorian Library.

Research topics may cover any aspect of Polish culture and history that can be investigated through the available collections.

Relevant resources include medieval manuscripts, early modern documents, historical maps, letters, modern archives and the Libri Polonici collection of printed books, many dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The fellowship is particularly interested in projects that use materials not readily available elsewhere.

Researchers working on Polish history, literature, intellectual life, cultural heritage and historical documentation may find this strand relevant if the required sources are held in the collections.

Richard Sharpe Memorial Visiting Fellowship

The Richard Sharpe Memorial Visiting Fellowship supports a research visit of one or two months to study manuscripts from the Canonici Collection at the Bodleian Library.

The fellowship particularly welcomes researchers working on the medieval libraries of Italy, reflecting Richard Sharpe’s pioneering work on the medieval libraries of Great Britain.

This opportunity may suit scholars investigating medieval manuscripts, historical library collections, the transmission of texts, book ownership and the movement of knowledge across historical communities.

Applicants should demonstrate the relationship between their proposed research questions and the Canonici Collection.

Sassoon Visiting Fellowship

The Sassoon Visiting Fellowship enables a short research visit in any field of study, provided the project makes use of the Bodleian Libraries’ special collections.

Its broad scope may make it relevant to researchers whose projects do not fit neatly into one of the more specialised named fellowships.

Nevertheless, applicants must still demonstrate a clear research purpose and explain why the specific Bodleian materials are important to the success of their work.

The availability of a broad subject remit should not be interpreted as removing the requirement for a well-developed research proposal.

Sassoon Visiting Fellowship in South Asian and Black History

This fellowship encourages researchers to use Bodleian Libraries resources to investigate the histories of South Asian, African and Caribbean diasporas.

The research may cover different geographical areas and historical periods, depending on the materials available in the collections.

Possible areas of investigation include migration, diaspora communities, cultural exchange, identity, historical relationships, social movements and the experiences of communities whose histories are documented in the collections.

Fellows will normally be invited during one University of Oxford term. The fellowship is offered in association with Somerville College.

Researchers should identify relevant materials and demonstrate how their work could contribute to a deeper understanding of South Asian, African or Caribbean diasporic histories.

The John Sayers Visiting Fellowship

The John Sayers Visiting Fellowship supports research using the John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera and other ephemera collections held by the Bodleian Libraries.

Printed ephemera include a wide range of materials produced for particular occasions, activities or practical purposes. Such sources can provide valuable evidence for studying everyday life, visual culture, social customs, advertising and design history.

The Bodleian’s collections contain material relating to many aspects of modern social and design history.

Particular interest is expressed in research on the history and social protocols of leisure travel and passenger steamships.

This fellowship may suit researchers who use printed ephemera to explore cultural practices, historical communication, consumer behaviour, travel, design or other aspects of social history.

The fellowship is supported by a donation from John Sayers.

Yosef Wosk Visiting Fellowship in Hebraica and Judaica

The Yosef Wosk Visiting Fellowship supports research using the Bodleian Libraries’ Hebraica and Judaica collections.

The collections include extensive Hebrew manuscripts, early Hebrew and Yiddish printed books, and resources representing a wide range of traditional Hebrew scholarship.

The fellowship is offered for one month.

Researchers working on Hebrew manuscripts, Jewish intellectual and cultural history, religious scholarship, historical texts or related subjects may find this fellowship appropriate when their projects require the relevant collections.

Applicants should identify the materials they intend to consult and demonstrate the significance of those sources to their proposed research.

The named fellowships have different subject areas and, in some cases, additional eligibility or application requirements. Candidates should therefore read the official description of the relevant strand before preparing their application.

Who is eligible to apply?

The general Bodleian Visiting Fellowships are open to both academically affiliated and independent scholars undertaking research at postdoctoral level or its equivalent under the programme’s eligibility framework.

The opportunity is not restricted to researchers employed by universities. Eligible candidates may also include people undertaking research while working in libraries, museums, archives or other institutions that hold collections.

However, applicants must demonstrate that they have a suitable research project and a genuine need to consult materials in the Bodleian Libraries’ special collections.

General eligibility requirements

Applicants should consider the following criteria before applying:

1. Research experience: Candidates must be pursuing academic research at postdoctoral level. The programme welcomes both university-affiliated and independent scholars who meet its criteria.

2. A clearly defined project: Applicants should have a specific research project with identifiable questions, objectives and expected outputs.

3. A need for special collections: The proposed work must demonstrate why access to particular Bodleian archival, manuscript or printed book collections is important.

4. Research potential: Applicants should be able to explain how the fellowship would advance their research careers and contribute to their academic or professional field.

5. Contribution to the research community: The selection committee considers applicants’ potential to contribute to the intellectual life of the Bodleian Libraries and the University of Oxford, including opportunities for future collaboration.

6. Availability for the visit: Proposed research visits must last at least one month and take place within the relevant fellowship year.

Can current doctoral students apply?

Current doctoral students should pay particular attention to the programme’s requirements.

According to the official guidance:

• Applicants who are still doctoral students must have submitted their theses before the fellowship application deadline.

• They must have been awarded their doctorates before taking up the fellowship.

Applicants should carefully assess their doctoral completion dates against both requirements.

Does the applicant need to be affiliated with a university?

Not necessarily. The general programme welcomes independent scholars as well as researchers affiliated with academic institutions.

Researchers working in libraries, museums, archives and other collection-holding institutions may also qualify if they are undertaking research at the required level.

The important distinction is that applicants must meet the research eligibility requirements and demonstrate the relevance of the Bodleian collections to their projects.

Is there a nationality or country restriction?

The general eligibility information does not establish a single nationality-based restriction for all Bodleian Visiting Fellowships. Researchers from different countries may therefore be eligible, provided they satisfy the programme’s academic and research requirements and any additional conditions attached to the fellowship they select.

However, some named fellowships have specific eligibility criteria. For example, the African Studies Visiting Fellowship requires applicants to be scholars currently affiliated with a university in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Applicants should not assume that the general programme’s broad eligibility automatically applies to every named fellowship.

Is priority given to particular applicants?

In most cases, the selection committee gives priority to candidates who reside outside Oxford and applicants who have not recently completed a degree at the University of Oxford.

These are stated selection priorities, not a blanket guarantee of acceptance for applicants who meet them.

The committee also considers the necessity of consulting specific collections, the applicant’s potential contribution to the research culture of the Bodleian Libraries and the University, the potential for future collaboration, and the benefits of the fellowship to the applicant’s research career.

 Application deadline for the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle

The deadline for applications to the Bodleian Visiting Fellowships in Special Collections for 2027–2028 is:

27 November 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT.

Applications must be submitted according to the instructions on the official Bodleian Libraries website. Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete the online application form, prepare the supporting documents and arrange the two recommendation letters.

A strong proposal can take considerable preparation, particularly when it requires identifying specific archival documents, manuscripts or rare books and explaining their importance to a research question.

For this reason, prospective applicants should avoid leaving the preparation of the project description and supporting documents until the final days before the deadline.

For more official fellowship information, click here.

The official page should be consulted for the latest requirements and any fellowship-specific instructions.

Documents required for the application

A complete application requires more than a CV and a short statement of interest. Applicants must prepare a research-focused application that explains the purpose of the project, identifies the collections to be consulted and demonstrates the value of the proposed visit.

The following documents are required under the general application procedure.

Completed online application form

Applicants must complete the application form online.

They do not need to name a specific visiting fellowship in the application. If the proposal is successful, it can be allocated to the appropriate named fellowship strand.

Nevertheless, applicants should understand the relevant fellowship categories and ensure that their project is suitable for the collections and research interests covered by the programme.

Curriculum vitae of no more than three pages

The CV must be no longer than three pages.

It should clearly present the applicant’s academic and research background, relevant qualifications, professional experience and scholarly achievements.

Depending on the applicant’s background, useful information may include:

• Academic qualifications and relevant research training.

• Previous research projects.

• Publications and other scholarly outputs.

• Relevant archival, manuscript or collections-based research experience.

• Academic appointments or other relevant professional roles.

• Research presentations, conferences and seminars.

• Grants, awards or fellowships, where applicable.

• Relevant language, methodological or specialist research skills.

The CV should be accurate, well organised and tailored to demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to complete the proposed project.

Research project description of no more than 1,200 words

The project description is central to the application. It must explain the research project’s significance, the role of the Bodleian collections, the intended outputs and the applicant’s plans for engaging with the research community.

The description should cover the following areas.

A. Significance of the research

Explain the research problem, the questions the project will investigate and why the work matters in the relevant academic field or area of activity.

Applicants should establish what the research will contribute and how it relates to existing scholarship.

B. Why the Bodleian Special Collections are necessary

Explain how access to the Bodleian’s special collections will advance the project.

Applicants should identify the unique or particularly important materials they need to consult and explain why these materials are necessary for the project’s success.

Simply stating that Oxford has excellent libraries is unlikely to demonstrate the specific research need. A stronger proposal connects individual collections or items directly to the research questions.

C. Intended research outputs

Describe what the project is expected to produce.

Possible outputs include scholarly publications, an exhibition or another publicly accessible form of research output. Applicants should identify realistic outcomes that follow from the project’s objectives and the proposed duration of the visit.

D. Engagement with the research community

Explain how the applicant intends to engage with researchers in Oxford and beyond.

Where relevant, applicants can outline plans for seminars, academic discussions, conferences or collaborative research activities.

If applicants have no specific plans for seminar or conference presentations, the official guidance asks them to include a sentence confirming their willingness to present their research materials and methods to a local academic audience if invited.

E. Detailed list of materials to be consulted

Applicants must also provide a detailed list of the specific Bodleian Libraries materials they intend to consult.

This list is required but is not included in the 1,200-word project description limit.

It should identify the relevant collections and, where possible, the particular manuscripts, archival records, printed books or other materials needed for the research.

The more clearly the list connects the materials to the research questions, the easier it is for the selection committee to assess the necessity of the proposed visit.

Two letters of recommendation

Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation tailored to their application for a funded research visit to the Bodleian Libraries.

These should support the applicant’s suitability for the proposed research and help establish the value of the planned visit.

The referees may email their recommendations directly to the Bodleian Libraries at fellowships@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

In every case, the applicant’s name must appear in the email subject line.

Applicants should contact their referees well in advance, provide them with relevant information about the project and allow sufficient time for the letters to be prepared and submitted.

Additional written-work requirement for selected fellowships

Some fellowships have additional application requirements. For example, applicants for the Bahari Visiting Fellowship in the Persian Arts of the Book must include an article-length example of their written work.

Applicants should check the description of their intended fellowship strand to determine whether additional materials are necessary.

How to apply for the Bodleian Visiting Fellowships

Click here to apply

The deadline for the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle is 27 November 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT.

Conclusion

The Bodleian Visiting Fellowships in Special Collections for 2027–2028 offer an important opportunity for eligible researchers to advance their scholarship through access to the distinctive archival, manuscript and printed book collections of the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford.

With funding of up to £2,200 per month towards eligible research visit costs, a range of subject-specific fellowship strands and opportunities for academic engagement, the programme may be particularly valuable to researchers whose projects depend on consulting historical materials that are not readily available elsewhere.

The strongest applications will demonstrate a clear research question, explain the significance of the project, identify the precise collections required and establish how the visit will contribute to meaningful research outputs. Applicants should also ensure that they satisfy the general eligibility requirements and any additional conditions attached to their chosen fellowship.

Visit the Opportunities For Youth (OFY) website for more opportunities.