Distinguished Fellowships

Offered by: Science History Institute, Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry

Geographic Scope: International

Eligibility:

• Open to distinguished scholars whose research in the history of chemical or molecular science, broadly construed, would benefit from access to the Institute's collections
• Eligible candidates include:
  • Academics at the rank of senior lecturer or above
  • Established scholars in independent research libraries or museums
  • Independent scholars with a commensurate record of scholarly achievement
• Must be taken up for a continuous four-month period between July and the following June
• Applicants for postdoctoral and dissertation research fellowships may opt to be considered for distinguished fellowships
• May not hold multiple fellowships in the same academic year
• Prior year fellowships do not affect eligibility for future awards

Focus Areas:

• History of chemistry, chemical engineering, and modern life sciences
• History and social studies of chemistry and the life sciences

Collections Available:

• Over 7,000 rare books
• Significant archival holdings
• Thousands of images and graphic materials
• Oral histories
• Scientific instruments and artifacts
• Fine art collection
• Over 100,000 modern primary-source volumes and journals
• Specialized collections in corporate records, scientific organizations, immigration and exile, food science, information science, materials science, modern bioscience and medicine, women in science, alchemy, and color studies

Selection Criteria:

• Scholarly achievement and potential
• Clarity, insightfulness, and originality of scholarly project
• Extent to which project draws upon Institute collections
• Feasibility of realizing stated goals by end of fellowship

Application Process

Deadline: January 15 (annually)

Required Documents:

1. Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)
   • Introduce yourself and your project(s)
   • Explain why the Science History Institute is a suitable host institution
2. Research proposal (maximum 4 pages) including:
   • Detailed description of your research project
   • Scholarly rationale
   • Research objectives during the fellowship
   • Account of how your research project would draw upon the Institute's collections
3. Abstract (up to 150 words)
4. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages)
5. One piece of sample work (e.g., published paper, dissertation chapter, or master's thesis)
   • Preferably not more than 10,000 words
6. Personal statement (up to 150 words)
7. Contact details of two referees unaffiliated with the Science History Institute

Application Timeline:

• January 15: Application deadline
• January 31: Deadline for upload of referee letters
• March: Meeting of review committee
• April 15: Candidates notified of decisions

Selection Process:

• Independent review committee consisting of international panel of leading scholars
• Committee evaluates applications and draws up ranked shortlist
• Associate director of Beckman Center matches selection to available named fellowships
• Committee may recommend awarding short-term fellowships to qualified candidates

Confirmation Process:

• Email confirmation of successful application upload (usually immediate)
• Email confirmation when reference letters are uploaded
• Email notification of outcome
• Contact if delays anticipated or further information needed