Short Description
Folger Institute Artistic Research Fellowships are open to all artists whose work would benefit from significant primary research related to the histories, concepts, art, and objects of the early modern world (ca. 1400-1800) and its legacies. Artistic applicants are not required to hold a formal degree, but should describe their training and level of industry-specific experience in their CV.
Eligibility
Artistic applicants may apply for one, two, or three months of research support and have the option to take their fellowships fully onsite, fully virtual, or a combination of the two. Applicants may propose the research schedule that best fits their project’s needs. A final art deliverable is not required upon conclusion of the fellowship residency. However, we do require all fellows to complete an evaluation survey to help us continue to improve our program.
Submission Requirements
1. 250-word abstract of your project.
2. 1,500-word description of the project you propose to work on while in residence at the Folger. Please emphasize your proposed topic’s impact, its relevance to the field, the originality and sophistication of your approach, and the feasibility of your research goals. Your proposal should also address at least a preliminary plan for dissemination upon the project’s completion. Please be sure to indicate how many months of research you are applying for (1, 2, or 3 months), why that is an appropriate length of time, and how you will utilize each month (virtually and/or on-site).
3. Two-page CV.
4. One-page list of Folger sources you wish to consult during your fellowship, including collection materials, publications, digital assets, and/or other resources. Please consult the Folger’s Online Catalog and Finding Aids.
5. One letter of recommendation. You will identify your recommender in the online application portal and will be given guidance on how to upload their letter. Anyone is eligible to act as a recommender: artists, scholars, teachers, colleagues. We recognize that, due to continuing contractions in the humanities, we are all under unique and significant pressures. Letters of recommendation are very helpful to interdisciplinary selection committees as they work to understand how a project fits within its field. Applications may be disadvantaged, but they are not rendered ineligible or formally penalized if they are missing a letter of recommendation.
6. If you feel that portfolio materials or a link to an online portfolio will help the selection committee to better understand your application, please upload them as one file through the application portal or provide a link to your online portfolio in your proposal. DO NOT upload portfolio materials that are unrelated to your proposed fellowship project. Providing portfolio materials is optional.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
Fellowship awards are $4,000 per virtual month and $5,000 per onsite month, and may be taken any time between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Washington, DC, United States
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2026
Website Link: https://www.folger.edu/research/the-folger-institute/public-humanities/#fellowship-opportunities
