The Washington Library is accepting applications for its annual research fellowship program. Awards are available for research focused on the life and leadership of George Washington, and his place in the development of American civic life and culture.

We also welcome projects related to the broad themes and historical problems of Colonial America, the Revolutionary Era, and the Early Republic, as well as the history of the arts, material culture, and society which help us better understand the greater legacy of George Washington and his home Mount Vernon. Finally, projects related to national memory, philanthropy, and the history of historic preservation are also encouraged as our resources include the archives of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association—the oldest national organization dedicated to historic preservation in the United States. Successful applicants receive generous stipends and housing on the Library campus for up to 6 months.

These funded research opportunities are available to doctoral candidates, recent PhDs, mid-career faculty, as well as advanced scholars and independent researchers with relevant topics.

The program is open to U.S. citizens as well as international scholars. Short-term (up to three months) and long-term (up to six months) applicants will be considered for the 2016–17 program. Fellowships less than 3-months provide a stipend of $3,000 per month, three month fellowships provide $10,000, and 6-month fellowships provide $20,000. All awards include onsite housing, as well as round-trip airfare or mileage reimbursement for one trip to and from Mount Vernon. Research may be conducted beginning in September 2016 and should be completed by August 2017.

HOW TO APPLY

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1. Curriculum vitae
2. 1,000-word fellowship proposal highlighting how you intend to use the collection and research assets of The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington
3. Two letters of recommendation to be sent confidentially to Mount Vernon by the references.

Submit applications to:

Douglas Bradburn
Founding Director, Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington
The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington
P.O. Box 110
Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Applications may also be submitted electronically to fellowships@mountvernon.org.

The application must be received by December 31, 2015. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of scholars assembled by Mount Vernon. Awardees will be notified on or before George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 2016.