Peter Nicolaisen International Fellowships in Jefferson Studies

Short-term fellowships are awarded for one to three months, open to scholars and researchers from any country, subject to selection by committee. Successful applicants will be working on Jefferson and Jefferson Era related projects, defined broadly. Projects in the past have included: archaeology (including the Digital Archeological Archive of Comparative Slavery); the enslaved community and their descendants (potentially making use of the Getting Word African American Oral History Project); Monticello plantation agriculture; the material culture of Monticello; Native American relations; Jefferson's views on religious freedom, his role as author of the Declaration of Independence, Founder of the University of Virginia, and leader of the Democratic-Republican political party, among many, many other topics.

Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS), where they will have access to Monticello's expert staff and research holdings at the Jefferson Library as well as the public resources at the University of Virginia. Fellows are also expected to be active and engaged members of the scholarly community here at the ICJS. In addition to participating in other activities, during their residencies, each fellow holds a 60-minute forum on their research project.

International Fellows are defined as any fellow whose primary residence is outside of the United States or Canada at the time of the fellowship. International Fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 per month, paid in USD after  the end of their fellowship. They are also eligible for funds to cover reasonable travel costs. 

Residential accommodation may be available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. Because ICJS is located in a rural setting with no public transportation, it is necessary for fellows to either rent a car, bring their own car, or make arrangements with a local cab company for transportation.

The Spring application deadline is April 1st. Fellowships awarded should be completed by May 2025. 

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should submit a one-paragraph abstract summary of the overall research project, a 500-word succinct description of the research project - specifically addressing the materials to consult at Monticello and explaining why being in residence at the ICJS will assist the project, a one-paragraph biography, and a résumé. Two letters of reference should be uploaded directly by the referrer via the link generated during the application process. Please include preferred dates of residence, keeping in mind that fellowships are awarded by calendar month (i.e. 1st - end of month).

NUMBER OF AWARDS

0

AWARD AMOUNT

$3,000

TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED

$0