Visiting Scholar Program at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies is pleased to offer fellowships to support significant research and writing about the Holocaust and related topics for projects that will benefit from a period of residence at the Museum and access to its resources. We welcome proposals from all relevant academic disciplines including—but not limited to—anthropology, archaeology, art history, comparative genocide studies, film studies, geography, history, Jewish studies, law, material culture, philosophy, political science, and psychology. Fellowships are designed for scholars at all levels of career, starting with PhD candidates (ABD). A principal focus of the fellowship program is to ensure the development of a new generation of scholars and those early in their careers are especially encouraged to apply. Faculty between appointments and scholars currently not affiliated with a university will also be considered.
Benefits of Becoming a Mandel Center Fellow
Many Mandel Center fellows hit academic career milestones earlier than average, including the publication of monographs, promotion to professorship, and achievement of tenure or tenure-track positions. Mandel Center fellowships also open doors at non-academic institutions, including nonprofit, governmental and educational organizations. Former fellows have been heavily involved as experts in the Museum’s revitalization project for its Permanent Exhibition, have partnered with local institutions to implement commemorative ceremonies, and have even testified at Congressional hearings.
A fellowship at the Mandel Center provides scholars time to conduct research in the Museum's world-renowned archives, to write, and to participate in programs, all while working in an intimate scholarly environment designed for the most fruitful research experience possible. Fellows enjoy tailored onboarding meetings and consultations with Mandel Center staff, personal guidance through the Emerging Scholars Publications Program, and regular scholarly presentations and lectures by Mandel Center staff and fellows.
Fellowship Duration and Stipend
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $5,000, which may be subject to taxes, as well as a one-time travel stipend to support roundtrip, economy transportation to Washington, DC from their home institution. Individual awards are for two, four, or eight consecutive months of residency. A minimum of two consecutive months is required; no exceptions are allowed. Fellows may not hold a Mandel Center fellowship concurrently with other funded fellowships. The Mandel Center provides visa assistance to fellows and their dependents, if necessary, but there is no further financial allowance for accompanying family members. Fellows are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations and health insurance.
Application Materials and Guidelines
The Mandel Center's annual competition for fellowships for the 2024–2025 academic year will open on August 15, 2023. Applicants will be notified of outcomes by April 2024. We appreciate candidates' understanding, as ongoing pandemic and the repercussions of it may affect the program in a variety of ways, including our ability to accommodate preferred residency terms.
Awards are granted on a competitive basis. Project proposals should specify the resources available at the Museum to which a scholar needs access for their research. Applicants may attach an addendum listing these resources (in addition to the 1,000 word project proposal) or otherwise may reference important resources in the body of their project proposal. Visit Collections Search to explore the Museum's holdings.
Applicants who previously have received a fellowship award from the Mandel Center may re-apply once seven years have passed since the end date of their previous residency.
Applications must be submitted in English via our online application and consist of the following:
- An online application form
- A project proposal (in PDF format, not to exceed 1,000 words)
- A curriculum vitae summary (in PDF format, not to exceed four single-spaced pages)
Please note that for the 2024–2025 annual fellowship competition the Mandel Center will not require letters of recommendation.
Applicants will be notified of the competition outcome by April 2024.
Contact Information
Visiting Scholar Programs
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2126
vscholars@ushmm.org
