The Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship Program at Harvard University invites applications for its 2026–2027 fellowship season. This distinguished program supports scholars at all stages of their careers whose research requires in-depth engagement with Houghton Library’s exceptional holdings of rare books, manuscripts, archives, and visual materials.
Through this fellowship, Houghton Library seeks to foster innovative scholarship, open new perspectives on its collections, and engage researchers in the intellectual community of Harvard University. Fellows benefit from access to the University’s extensive library network, opportunities for collaboration, and platforms to share their research through public programs and publications.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2026
Program Purpose
The Visiting Fellowship Program is designed to enable in-depth research on Houghton’s collections while encouraging projects that:
- Reexamine traditional narratives through global, cross-cultural, or interdisciplinary lenses.
- Explore how rare book and manuscript collections can inform contemporary discussions in social, political, and cultural contexts.
- Highlight underrepresented perspectives in areas such as gender, race, colonialism, and environmental history.
Houghton particularly welcomes proposals that engage with materials related to Indigenous peoples, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, in addition to its strengths in European and North American cultural history.
Fellowship Experience
Fellows are expected to spend a minimum of four weeks in residence at Houghton Library during their fellowship year (July 2026–June 2027). During this period, they will:
- Conduct intensive primary source research.
- Engage with library staff and Harvard scholars.
- Participate in Houghton’s academic and public programs.
- Produce a written summary of their research experience.
Fellows gain access not only to Houghton’s holdings but also to Harvard’s extensive network of libraries and archives, enhancing opportunities for interdisciplinary study.
Houghton’s research environment encourages knowledge exchange and scholarly community, with past fellows pursuing projects on topics as varied as colonial-era Native American music, Iberian chivalric romances, Sanskrit manuscripts, and Wole Soyinka’s Prison Notes.
Responsibilities
Selected Fellows will:
- Finalize their visit dates before arrival (noting that reading room seating is limited).
- Arrange their own travel and accommodation.
- Be responsible for any taxes related to their stipend.
- Produce a brief report summarizing research outcomes.
All fellows must be at least 18 years of age and are encouraged to consult Houghton’s blog for insights into the fellowship experience.
Fellowship Opportunities
Through the generosity of Houghton’s benefactors, the library awards 15 endowed fellowships each year, supporting research across diverse fields of study, including but not limited to:
- Beatrice, Benjamin, and Richard Bader Fellowship in the Visual Arts of the Theatre
- W. Jackson Bate / Douglas W. Bryant ASECS Fellowship (Eighteenth-Century Studies)
- Maryette Charlton Fellowship for Gender and Sexuality Studies in the Performing Arts
- William Dearborn Fellowship in American History
- Rodney G. Dennis Fellowship in Manuscript Studies
- Ralph Waldo Emerson Fellowship for the Study of Emerson and His Circle
- Eleanor M. Garvey Fellowship in Printing and Graphic Arts
- Houghton Mifflin Fellowship in Publishing History
- Donald and Mary Hyde Fellowship for Research in Early Modern Black Lives (Africa and the African Diaspora, 1500–1800)
- Donald and Mary Hyde Fellowship for the Study of Dr. Samuel Johnson and His Circle
- Joan Nordell Fellowship
- Theodore Roosevelt Association Fellowship for the Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt
- Howard D. Rothschild Fellowship in Dance
- Robert Gould Shaw Fellowship for the Harvard Theatre Collection
- John M. Ward Fellowship in Dance and Music for the Theatre
Fellows may also be considered for additional funding through the American Trust for the British Library (ATBL) Research Fellowship Program.
Funding
- Each fellow receives a stipend of USD 4,500 during the tenure of their appointment.
- Non-U.S. citizens will receive a J-1 visa sponsored by Harvard University, though they are responsible for associated visa fees.
- Stipends for international fellows are typically issued 2–3 weeks after arrival at Houghton Library.
Eligibility
The Visiting Fellowship Program is open to scholars of all nationalities and career stages, including:
- Doctoral candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Academics and independent scholars
- Curators, archivists, and museum professionals
Additional eligibility notes:
- Fellowships are not typically awarded to those residing within commuting distance of Houghton Library.
- Applicants may reapply annually, but at least five years must elapse between awards.
- Applicants must propose research that specifically engages with Houghton’s holdings; applications that do not identify relevant materials will not be considered.
- Houghton strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups in academia, including women, Black, Indigenous, and other scholars of color, first-generation scholars, and persons with disabilities.
Application Process
Application Deadline
All materials must be submitted by January 16, 2026.
Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
- A project proposal (maximum 500 words) describing the research objectives and relevance of Houghton’s collections.
- A preliminary list of Houghton materials to be consulted (required).
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- One letter of reference supporting the proposed research.
Applicants are not required to specify a particular fellowship; the Selection Committee will match successful candidates to the most appropriate endowed award.
Applicants are advised to save drafts frequently and submit only once their application is complete.
Program Highlights
The Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship offers more than research support—it provides entry into a vibrant scholarly community at one of the world’s most renowned libraries. Fellows have the opportunity to:
- Access unique primary sources spanning centuries and continents.
- Collaborate with experts in book history, literature, visual arts, and cultural studies.
- Contribute to global conversations about heritage, identity, and creativity.
Apply Now
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Location: Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
For more information, detailed guidelines, and the application link, please visit the Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship webpage.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
