APS Library & Museum Research Fellowships (USA)

About the Fellowship

The American Philosophical Society (APS) Library & Museum Fellowships support original, collections-based research using the APS’s world-class archival and museum holdings in Philadelphia, United States. These fellowships are available as long-term residential, short-term residential, and non-residential research opportunities, covering a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Designed for advanced PhD candidates, recent PhD graduates, undergraduate researchers, and Indigenous community researchers, the programme enables in-depth archival, historical, digital humanities, and community-engaged scholarship. Fellowship durations range from 1 to 24 months, supporting both intensive short-term research visits and extended residential projects that align with the APS’s strengths in early American history, history of science, Indigenous studies, and interdisciplinary research.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: APS Library & Museum Research Fellow
Host Institution: American Philosophical Society
Administering Body / Funding Agency: APS Library & Museum
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Research Fields:
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- History of Science, Technology, and Medicine
- Digital Humanities
- Indigenous Studies
- American and Revolutionary-Era History
Fellowship Type:
- Pre-doctoral Fellowships
- Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Undergraduate Internships
- Community-Based Research Fellowships
Level: Undergraduate, Doctoral, Postdoctoral, Early-Career Researchers
Fellowship Duration: 1 to 24 months (programme-specific)
Expected Start Date: Varies by fellowship
Working Hours: As per residency or project requirements
Funding / Compensation: Stipend varies by fellowship
Required Degree / Diploma: Varies by programme

Supported Research Areas:

Archival and manuscript research
History of science, technology, and medicine
American Revolution and early American history
Material culture studies
Digital knowledge sharing projects
Indigenous community-based research

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Research project must require use of APS collections
Must meet eligibility criteria specific to the selected fellowship
PhD candidacy or completed PhD for most long-term fellowships

Additional Eligibility Notes:

Indigenous Community Research Fellowships do not require formal academic qualifications
US citizens and international scholars may apply
APS does not provide visa exchange sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong alignment between the research project and the APS collections
Demonstrated research experience or community engagement

Not Eligible:

Applicants whose projects do not use APS Library & Museum collections
Applicants who do not meet programme-specific criteria

Fellowship / Job Benefits

Research funding for residential and non-residential projects
Full access to APS Library & Museum collections
Support for archival, digital, and community-based research
Opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarly engagement
Professional development within APS research networks

Key Responsibilities

Conduct original research using APS archival and museum collections
Produce scholarly, digital, or community-focused research outputs
Engage ethically with Indigenous and archival materials
Participate in residency or programme activities, where applicable

Application Process

How to Apply:

Apply online through the APS website for the relevant fellowship programme
Review each fellowship’s eligibility and requirements carefully before submission

Required Documents: