Long-Term Residential Research Fellowships

Mellon Foundation Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Sabbatical Fellowship

Apply Online by January 25, 2027

This fellowship is intended for established academic, independent, or community-based experts in Native American and Indigenous Studies with a strong commitment to their field, and a need to work in the archival collections or collaborate with CNAIR or staff elsewhere at the APS. Applications are open to scholars in any field of study and all periods of time. Preference will be given to those who have lived experience or sustained personal engagement with Indigenous communities, and who will use the fellowship on a project in close collaboration with an Indigenous community. We particularly encourage applications from tribal college or university faculty, and members of Indigenous communities. The caliber of the project is the most important criteria for evaluation. The selection committee will also take into consideration the need to be at the APS's Library & Museum and other research institutions in the Philadelphia area.

Eligibility:

  • Eligible candidates include those with advanced or terminal degrees in their field of study. Applications are also invited from individuals who have established expertise developed through other pathways, including practice-based and Indigenous knowledge systems. In all cases, applicants should demonstrate deep expertise and a commitment to their field. 
  • This fellowship is open to applicants anywhere in the world, including those who are not US citizens or residents, but we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.
  • Fellows may hold other major fellowships or grants during fellowship tenure, in addition to sabbaticals and supplemental grants from their own institutions.

Stipend:

  • A stipend of $5,000 per month will be awarded to successful applicant(s). 
  • In addition, each fellow will receive $2,000 for relocation costs.
  • Fellows will have access to funding to attend conferences during their fellowship tenure, and a healthcare subsidy may be available.

Terms:

  • Mellon NASI Sabbatical fellows are expected to be in regular and continuous residence at the Society. They must devote full time to their study and may not accept teaching assignments or undertake any other major activities during the tenure of their award. 
  • Fellows will have desk space at the American Philosophical Society, and will also partake in the intellectual life of the Society and have opportunities to receive professional development, including works-in-progress seminars, career mentoring, conference participation, and publication of scholarly outputs through the APS Press. 
  • Fellowship must be completed by: December 15, 2028.

Application Instructions:

Application materials will be submitted online via the APS application portal, which will open shortly.

All applicants must submit:

  • C.V.;
  • A writing sample, not to exceed 25 double-space pages;
  • An introductory cover letter (no more than 2 pages);
  • A project proposal approximately 1,000 words in length.
     
  • The proposal should include:
    • a) a description of the project;
    • b) a statement explaining the significance of the project;
    • c) an indication of the specific APS collections the applicant wishes to consult.
  • A short statement, no more than one page, describing their engagement with or membership in the Indigenous community or communities to which their research pertains;
  • Two letters of recommendation that offer support of the proposed project and speak to the credentials of the applicant;
  • For those working on a community-based project, one of these letters should be a statement of support from the Indigenous community where the project is based.

Deadline: January 25, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.