NEH Long-Term Fellowships


National Endowment for the Humanities logoThe New York Public Library is pleased to offer National Endowment for the Humanities Long-Term Fellowships to support advanced research at the Library’s flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Fellowships are open to scholars researching the history, literature, and culture of peoples represented in collections accessible at the Schwarzman Building and to professionals in fields related to the Library’s holdings, including librarianship and archives administration, special collections, photography, prints, and maps. Projects drawing heavily on collections traditionally used to advance the social sciences, science and technology, psychology, education, and religion are also eligible, but only if the project takes a humanistic approach, relies on humanities-related methodologies, and contributes to the body of knowledge which enlightens the human experience.

The NEH Long-Term Fellowships support two fellows for nine months with a stipend of $45,000.

Explore the NYPL Research Catalog, Archives and Manuscripts Portal, Prints and Photographs Online Catalog, and Research Guides for more information on the Library’s collections. While these resources do not represent the entirety of the Library’s collections, they provide a thorough overview and are a good place to start.  Applicants should be able to articulate the importance of the Library’s holdings to their projects and are encouraged to contact the research divisions at the Schwarzman Building with any questions regarding collections or additional holdings. 

Please note that this fellowship is intended to support projects that will utilize collections housed at the Schwarzman Building. To learn about current fellowship opportunities at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture or Library for the Performing Arts, please visit nypl.org/fellowships.

Questions about this fellowship may be direted to fellowships@nypl.org. 

Key Dates: 

The application period has closed. Applications for the 2025-2026 fellowship term will be invited in fall 2024. 

Eligibility:

Individuals seeking support for research leading to degrees are not eligible for the fellowship. Candidates for advanced degrees must have received the degree by the application deadline. Citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply, as are foreign nationals who have lived in the United States for at least three years immediately prior to the application deadline. Fellows are expected to be in continuous residence throughout the fellowship award period from September to May. 

Application Instructions:

Applications are now closed. Detailed instructions will be made available here when the next round of applications opens in fall 2024. As a general rule, applications typically include:

  • A profile and application form completed in the NYPL Fellowship Portal
  • A project proposal of no more than five pages
  • A writing sample of no more than five pages
  • An up-to-date CV 
  • Three professional letters of recommendation

Project Proposal:

  • Abstract of the project’s major themes, questions, and theses
  • Sketch of the project plan
  • Specific Library materials/collections to be consulted during the fellowship 
  • Description of the proposed methodological approach
  • Significance of the proposal to the applicant’s field and the humanities in general
  • Expected project outcomes, including dissemination plans at NYPL and beyond

Successful proposals will include an in-depth explanation of how in-person access to collections existing only at The New York Public Library’s Schwarzman Building is essential to the progress and completion of the research project. 

Writing Sample: 

Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to express ideas and make a clear argument. Evaluators will use the sample to assess the clarity of your writing as well as your knowledge of the subject area. The writing sample may not exceed the equivalent of five single-spaced pages, including footnotes or endnotes.

Selection Criteria:

Applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee made up of external reviewers, accomplished specialists from across the fields of study represented within this fellowship. In addition, the Fellowship Program Director will serve as chair and as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Selection Committee. Applicants are notified of the Committee’s decision, regardless of outcome. 

  • Quality and feasibility of the project proposal, including a demonstrated need for access to the unique holdings of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
  • Significance of the project to the applicant's field and to the humanities
  • Impact this fellowship might have on the applicant’s project or career trajectory
  • Likelihood that the project will be completed successfully
  • Efficacy of the plan to disseminate project results to scholars and the public at large
  • Applicant qualification, based on strong recommendations and either prior accomplishments or a promising proposal

Fellowship Terms:

Fellows will have sustained access to world-class collections and digital resources in quiet, shared study rooms within the Library’s Vartan Gregorian Center for Research in the Humanities as well as access to the Library’s expert librarians, subject specialists, and curators for consultation or guidance. The Library will provide an orientation to collections and services as well as opportunities to connect with NYPL’s broader scholarly community for engagement with peers and the public. 

Throughout the term, Fellows are expected to maintain regular communication with fellowship staff. On a bimonthly basis, Fellows will provide a brief written summary of their research progress and attend a check-in meeting to discuss their ongoing fellowship experience. 

As part of the Library’s educational mission, and to provide Fellows with public platforms for their scholarship and research, it is expected that each Fellow will participate in at least two activities to share their project, work, or expertise in a public forum. The Library will provide opportunities to fulfill this requirement and more information will be provided before the start of the term.


The NEH Long-Term Fellowships at the New York Public Library have been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.