Researchers working in American history can apply for the Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026, which provide $3,000 short-term research awards to doctoral candidates, university faculty, and independent scholars.
The fellowships are offered by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and support research projects drawing on archival materials connected with American history.
International scholars are also eligible to apply.
For the 2026 competition, applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026: Key Details
Organization: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Country: United States
Location: New York City
Award: $3,000
Type: Short-term research fellowship
Eligible Applicants: Doctoral candidates, university and college faculty, independent scholars
International Applicants: Eligible
Research Field: American History
Application Deadline: October 26, 2026
Deadline Time: 11:59 p.m. ET
The Institute has awarded hundreds of fellowships since the program began in 1994.
About the Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships
The fellowship program supports scholars conducting research in the field of American history.
Recipients use the award to advance archival research projects and engage with historical collections relevant to their work.
The program is open to researchers at different stages of their academic careers, including doctoral candidates, faculty members of all ranks,s and independent scholars.
This broad eligibility makes the fellowship accessible to researchers both inside and outside traditional university positions.
Fellowship Value
Each selected fellow receives:
$3,000
The fellowship is intended to support short-term scholarly research.
Applicants should prepare a realistic anticipated budget as part of their proposal, showing how the requested funding will support the research project.
International Scholars Can Apply
One important feature of the Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowship is that international scholars are eligible.
Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens to be considered.
However, the proposed research should still fall within the field of American history and make appropriate use of relevant archival sources.
Research Areas
Projects across all areas of American history are welcome.
However, the Institute states that special attention will be given in this cycle to research involving:
- Colonial America
- Slavery and abolition
- The Cold War
Applicants working in other areas of American history can still apply, but preference will be given to proposals in these priority fields.
John Winthrop Fellowship with a Focus on Colonial History
The Institute offers a special John Winthrop Fellowship with a Focus on Colonial History.
This fellowship supports research on the colonial era.
It is connected to John Winthrop, a descendant of the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, whose historical correspondence is held in the Gilder Lehrman Collection.
Researchers focusing on colonial American history may therefore be especially interested in this track.
Scholarly Fellowship in Slavery and Abolition Studies
The Institute also offers a dedicated Scholarly Fellowship in Slavery and Abolition Studies.
Applicants working on slavery, emancipation, abolition, African American history or related areas may be particularly competitive within this category.
Scholarly Fellowship in Cold War Studies
A further specialist award is available for scholars researching the Cold War.
Applicants working on political, military, diplomatic, social, cultural or international dimensions of the Cold War may consider this category if their project fits the fellowship’s requirements.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to:
- Doctoral candidates
- College faculty
- University faculty
- Independent scholars
- International scholars
Faculty applicants can be at any academic rank.
The program is therefore not limited to senior scholars or professors.
What Fellows Are Required to Do
Successful applicants must complete their research within one year of receiving notification of the award.
Fellows are also required to meet with the director of the Scholarly Fellowship Program during their research trip to New York City.
After completing their fellowship research, recipients must submit:
- An essay of approximately 750–1,000 words on their topic
- A separate paragraph documenting the archival collections consulted during the fellowship
These requirements help the Institute document the research supported by the fellowship.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit several key materials.
Project Proposal
The project proposal should be between 2 and 5 pages.
It must include:
- Current contact information
- A description of the research project
- A list of primary sources to be consulted
- An anticipated budget
The proposal should clearly explain why the project matters and how the archival research will contribute to the broader study of American history.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must submit a CV.
The Institute does not set a page limit for the CV.
Applicants should ensure the document clearly presents their academic background, publications, teaching, research experience,ce and other relevant scholarly achievements.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must also arrange for two letters of recommendation from established scholars.
These letters should support the applicant’s research ability, academic potential, and suitability for the proposed project.
Applicants should contact recommenders early to ensure the letters are submitted before the deadline.
How to Prepare a Strong Proposal
A strong proposal should explain:
- The specific historical question being investigated.
- Why the research matters.
- Which archival collections or primary sources will be used.
- Why the fellowship is necessary for the project.
- How the research contributes to existing scholarship.
- How the $3,000 award would be used.
Applicants working in colonial history, slavery and abolition, or Cold War studies should make the connection to those priority areas explicit.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by:
Monday, October 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Late applications should not be expected to receive consideration.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their project proposals and recommendation letters well in advance.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s fellowship application portal.
Applicants should carefully review all materials before submission and confirm that their project proposal, CV, and recommendation arrangements are complete.
Why Consider the Gilder Lehrman Fellowship?
The fellowship can be particularly useful for researchers who need short-term financial support to conduct archival work in American history.
The $3,000 award can help cover expenses connected with research travel, accommodation, archival visits,s or other research-related costs.
International scholars may find the fellowship especially useful if they need financial assistance to access U.S.-based collections.
Research in New York City
The fellowship includes a required meeting with the Scholarly Fellowship Program director during the fellow’s research trip to New York City.
Researchers applying should therefore plan for an in-person research component.
Applicants should explain in their proposal how access to archives or collections in New York or related research institutions will advance their project.
Selection Priorities
Although projects on all aspects of American history are eligible, the Institute is giving particular attention to research in:
- Colonial America
- Slavery and abolition
- Cold War history
Applicants in these areas should clearly identify the relevance of their project to the fellowship’s current priorities.
Final Thoughts
The Gilder Lehrman Scholarly Fellowships 2026 offer a useful funding opportunity for researchers pursuing serious archival work in American history.
Each selected fellow receives $3,000, and applications are open to doctoral candidates, university faculty, college faculty, ty and independent scholars.
International scholars can also apply.
The 2026 cycle gives particular preference to projects involving colonial America, slavery and abolition, and the Cold War, although proposals covering other areas of American history are welcome.
Applications must be submitted online by October 26, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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