Southern Studies Doctoral Fellowship

Full-time students

• In good standing, AND
• Enrolled in a doctoral program studying the American South

Foreign nationals

• Residing in the United States on an F-1 student visa and enrolled in a doctoral program studying the American South, OR
• Enrolled in a doctoral program at a foreign university and without a current US Visa.
  • Note: if awarded a fellowship, the research residency and the payment of funds cannot occur before an appropriate US visa is obtained.

Agree to:

• Commit to a full-time research residency at Wilson Library for the duration of the award
  • The residency must take place between June 1 and October 31, 2023
• Submit a research proposal and research plan that draws deeply and substantively on the collections of the Wilson Special Collections Library
• Participate in the intellectual life of the Library and the fellowship program, which includes:
  • A public presentation of research findings and experiences
  • The submission of a brief research report
  • An invitation to submit papers to a capstone symposium in Southern Studies

All application materials are due by midnight ET on January 31. Submit them electronically via Interfolio using the appropriate application:

• Pre-Dissertation Prospectus Fellowship Application
• Dissertation Research Fellowship Application

The online applications require the submission of the following supporting materials:

• Research proposal: A brief narrative (no more than 1200 words) that describes your proposed research and its intellectual significance.
• Research plan: A substantive preliminary list of Wilson Library resources that you will consult during your residency. Include brief annotations about the relevancy of each collection.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Two confidential letters of recommendation. One must be from your academic advisor.
• A letter from the Director of Graduate Studies confirming your current academic status.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Merit of the proposal.
• Applicant’s qualifications and letters of recommendations.
• Demonstrated need to access in person the holdings of the Wilson Special Collections Library.

See the Wilson Library Research Fellowships Guidelines for more details on applying for a fellowship, accepting a fellowship, and planning your residency.

• December 1: Applications open for electronic submissions via Interfolio.
• January 31: All application materials must be received by midnight ET.
• March 31: Successful applicants are notified by email.
  • Preliminary acceptance of award must occur within seven calendar days of the email’s receipt.
• April 15: Accepting applicants must return all required documentation and biographical information by midnight ET.
• May 31: Submit residency dates.
• June 1: Opening of research season.
  • Research reports are due one month after completing the research residency.
• October 31: Close of research season.