Fellowships
Important information for 2024-2025 Fellowship Cycle
The MHS will accept fellowship applications for the 2024-2025 cycle. However, please note that the terms of awarded short-term fellowships may have temporary restrictions. The MHS reserves the right to offer entirely remote fellowships, to restrict research visits to appointment schedules or certain months, or any other such restrictions as are necessary during, and in the wake of COVID-19. We strongly encourage all short-term fellowship applicants to carefully review their application questions well in advance of the deadline and to reach out with any questions or concerns. Note that preference will still be given to the strongest applications. The additional information collected in the application regarding your ability to complete your project remotely or in person will help determine the terms each award during these unusual times.
NERFC awards will be granted as usual.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Assistant Director of Research, Cassie Cloutier (ccloutier@aifengcai.com), with any additional questions or concerns. Please also refer to our FAQ.
The Four Fellowship Programs
The Massachusetts Historical Society now offers multiple awards to scholars who need to use its library and archival collections. The research projects that the MHS supports through its fellowship programs produce cutting-edge historical scholarship. In addition, the MHS facilitates the visits of scholars in residence at the MHS through the support of other funding agencies. Awards are open to all applicants, including but not limited to graduate students, senior scholars, adjunct faculty, and independent researchers (please note that long-term grants are only awarded to those already holding a PhD).
Each year, in addition to more than 15 short-term fellowships, the Society helps to provide around 24 New England Regional Fellowship Consortium grants for projects that draw on the resources of 31 participating research and cultural institutions. Thanks to the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent agency of the U.S. government, there will be at least two long-term MHS-NEH fellowships.
During their residence, MHS Research Fellows become part of a scholarly community that includes other current fellows, MHS staff, Boston-area scholars, and former fellows. They have the opportunity to present their own research, attend seminars, and join MHS staff and other fellows for weekly coffees.
MHS Short-term Fellowships
The MHS awards over 20 short-term fellowships annually, each of which provides a stipend for four weeks of research at the Society. Several of these fellowships are for research in specific topics or collections. Most stipends are $3,000. Awards are open to advanced graduate students as well as scholars who have completed their professional training.
MHS short-term fellowships are only available to United States citizens or those with a J-1 or F-1 visa AND a U.S. taxpayer identification number. The MHS cannot sponsor visas for researchers. Learn more.
Suzanne and Caleb Loring Fellowship
Each year, the MHS and the Bostonian Athenaeum offer one Suzanne and Caleb Loring Fellowship on the Civil War, Its Origins, and Consequences, which carries a stipend of $6,000. The recipient will conduct research for at least four weeks at each institution. Learn more.
New England Regional Fellowship Consortium
This collaboration of 31 major cultural agencies, including the MHS, awards approximately two dozen fellowships annually, each of which carries a stipend of $5,000. Each recipient will conduct research for a total of at least eight weeks at three or more participating institutions. Learn more.
MHS-NEH Long-term Fellowships
The MHS awards at least 2 long-term MHS-NEH fellowships annually, for a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 12 months. The NEH stipend is $5,000 per month in 2024-2025. The MHS provides a supplement to assist with professional and housing expenses. Applicants must have completed their professional training and be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who have lived in the United States for at least three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Learn more.
Publications: Our Legacy of Scholarship
Since 1985, the MHS has awarded more than 960 fellowships. These research projects have resulted in more than 470 publications, including more than 160 books!
Researchers Funded by Other Agencies
The MHS has been pleased to welcome researchers whose tenure has been underwritten by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), Fulbright Fellowship Program, and Germany's Deutscher Akademischer Austasch Dienst (DAAD).
Fellows Alumni
The MHS continues to maintain professional relationships with, and extend benefits to, former fellows. Many alumni choose to support the mission of the Society by returning to the MHS to deliver programs or serve on committees.
