2025-2026 Mellon Foundation Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Predoctoral Fellowship

Description

The American Philosophical Society's Library & Museum in Philadelphia seeks applicants for a nine-month, residential predoctoral fellowship for graduate students, especially Native American and Indigenous scholars in training and those working collaboratively with Indigenous communities. These funding opportunities are part of the Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI), supported by the Mellon Foundation.  Fellows will be based at the Library & Museum's Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR), which aims to promote greater collaboration between scholars, archives, and Indigenous communities throughout the Americas.

This nine-month fellowship is intended for an advanced doctoral degree student working toward the completion of the dissertation. Applications are open to scholars in any field and all periods of time. Preference will be given to those who have sustained personal engagement or experience with Indigenous communities. The caliber of the proposal, and evidence that the project will be completed in a timely manner, are the two most important criteria for evaluation. The selection committee will also take into consideration the need to be at the APS's Library & Museum and other research institutions in the Philadelphia area.

A stipend of $25,000 for nine months will be awarded to the successful applicant, who will also have desk space at the American Philosophical Society. In addition, the predoctoral fellow will receive $5,000 in travel funds for outside research, fieldwork, and/or travel, $750 relocation cost, and will receive $10,000 to offset health insurance costs. Fellows will also partake in the intellectual life of the Society and have opportunities to receive professional development, including works-in-progress seminars, a writing workshop, career mentoring, and conference participation.

[In addition, the APS's Library & Museum offers several short-term fellowships to support research using its collections. For information on the short-term fellowships visit https://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/fellowships.]

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to those who are not U.S. citizens or residents, but it does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be in good standing and have advanced to candidacy within a doctoral degree granting program.

Terms

• 9 month residential fellowship

• $25,000 living stipend

• $10,000 to offset health insurance costs

• $5,000 travel/research fund

Application Instructions

Applicants will submit:

• C.V.;
• An introductory cover (no more than two pages);
• A project proposal of no more than 1,000 words in length. The proposal should include: a) a description of the project; b) a statement explaining the significance of the project; c) an indication of the specific APS collections the applicant wishes to consult;
• A short statement, no more than one page, describing the extent of their experience working collaboratively within an Indigenous community or as a member of an Indigenous community;
• Two letters of recommendation that offer support of the proposed project and speak to the credentials of the applicant,
  • For those working on a community-based project, one of these letters should be a statement of support from the Indigenous community where the project is based is required.

Deadline: January 24, 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The American Philosophical Society is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, age, sex, gender, religion or national origin. The APS values diversity and inclusion and encourages diverse applicants to apply. Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the U.S.