Scholar-In-Residence Program

Description

The purpose of the Scholar-in-Residence Program is (1) to enhance interpretive programs in Massachusetts historical societies, museums, and libraries by having them grounded in research and scholarship; (2) to encourage scholars to conduct original scholarship that draws on the rich resources housed in Massachusetts historical societies, museums, and libraries; and (3) to foster productive working relationships between humanities scholars and historical organizations.

Scholar-in-Residence Projects

These projects are a collaboration between the scholar and host organization. The scholar and project director agree on the research topic and materials to be used, plan a working session, and prepare the grant application.

Research Must:

• be framed by questions grounded in current scholarship, leading to an examination of social, historical, or political processes;
• utilize documents, family records, business records, photographs, material culture or other materials housed in historical societies, museums, libraries, or town offices;
• be analytical and/or synthetic; projects involving surveys or inventories will not be considered;
• reflect an ongoing interest or investigation on the part of the scholar;
• advance a short-term or long-term program goal identified by the host organization.

All projects must include a working session with the scholar and people actively involved in the host organization (for example, staff, volunteers, board members, teachers) about the research conducted and its possible applications.

The scholar will leave with the host institution a written summary of the research conducted, information obtained, and potential applications of the research and an annotated bibliography.

Who May Apply
Host sites can be Massachusetts museums, libraries, historical societies or other organizations with historical collections.

Nonprofit organizations which have presented interpretive public history programs may also apply, and will be considered as funding permits. Priority will be given to small, mostly-or-all-volunteer organizations.

Scholar's Qualifications
An individual with a Ph.D. or masters degree or doctoral candidate who is ABD in a humanities discipline; or an individual who has demonstrated expertise in the subject matter of the proposed project.

Grant Amounts
Grants provide stipends of $2,000 to scholars and up to $500 to host organizations to defray administrative costs.

Deadline
One deadline a year: March 15.

How to Apply
For application materials or more information:

Download the guidelines and application from the download library, email localhistory@mfh.org or call (413) 584-8440.