Organizer Information
The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is administered by the National Library Board Singapore, one of the leading cultural and knowledge institutions in Southeast Asia. The fellowship is hosted at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and works in close collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore.
These institutions collectively safeguard one of the most significant archival and documentary collections in the region, including rare historical manuscripts, early printed books from Southeast Asia, colonial-era maps, private donor archives, and national records. The program is positioned at the intersection of research, archival studies, and cultural history, supporting advanced scholarship on Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region.
The fellowship is designed to attract internationally recognized researchers and emerging scholars whose work engages critically with historical, literary, cultural, or socio-political narratives grounded in primary archival materials.
Title & Description
Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship – 6-Month Residential Research Program
The Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship is a six-month fully supported residential research Fellowship based in Singapore. It invites curators, historians, academics, and independent researchers to undertake in-depth archival research using the collections of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library and the National Archives of Singapore.
The program is built around intensive engagement with rare and historical collections spanning the 16th century to contemporary Southeast Asia. Fellows are expected to develop original, publication-level research based on primary sources, including:
- Early printed books and colonial imprints
- Rare maps, charts, and European accounts of Southeast Asia
- Literary archives of Singaporean authors
- Governmental and institutional records
- Private donor collections of national significance
The 2026 fellowship encourages research across multiple humanities disciplines, particularly in Literature, Theatre, Architecture, Cultural History, Social History, and Interdisciplinary Arts.
Selected fellows are expected to be physically based in Singapore and dedicate at least 75% of their time to archival research. The program emphasizes both academic rigor and public engagement, requiring fellows to contribute lectures, public talks, and research outputs for institutional publication.
The fellowship also provides a structured research environment with access to librarians, archivists, and dedicated research infrastructure.
Categories
- Literature
- Theatre
- Architecture
- Visual Arts
- Cultural History
- Social History
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Curatorial research
- Research
- Writing
- History / Archival Studies
Eligibility
- International and local applicants
- Curators, historians, academics, and independent researchers
- Doctoral, postdoctoral, and advanced researchers
- Applicants with demonstrated scholarly or professional research experience
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate strong research credentials or equivalent professional achievement
- Show ability to complete a research project within 6 months
- Present original research proposals grounded in archival collections
Preference is given to candidates with established academic or professional output in their field.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected fellows receive a fully supported Fellowship package:
Financial Support
- Monthly stipend: S$3,500
- Overseas relocation allowance: S$1,500 (one-time)
- Return airfare reimbursement: up to S$1,500
- Accommodation allowance: up to S$3,500/month (reimbursement)
Research Support
- Dedicated workspace at the library
- Full access to archival collections
- Institutional research guidance from library staff
- Computer and internet access
Academic & Professional Exposure
- Public lecture opportunities (minimum 2 presentations)
- Publication opportunities through the National Library Board
- Integration into institutional research output series
- Archival research networking with Singapore’s cultural institutions
This Fellowship is designed not only as financial support but as a high-level research residency embedded within one of Asia’s most significant archival infrastructures.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Detailed research proposal
- Academic CV
- Evidence of scholarly or professional achievements
- References/referee contacts (if applicable)
Strong emphasis is placed on:
- Originality of research
- Use of archival collections
- Feasibility within 6 months
- Clarity of research methodology and objectives
How to Apply?
Each application must include a completed application form. Applications should be emailed to LKCRF@nlb.gov.sg
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 29 May 2026
- Notification Period: Within 3 months after the deadline
- Fellowship Duration: 6 months (start date arranged upon acceptance)
Location
Singapore
Additional Details
- Fellows must remain in Singapore for the duration of the program
- At least 75% of working time must be spent on-site at the library
- Fellows must produce:
- Public presentations
- A resource guide (annotated bibliography)
- A 3,000-word and 6,000-word research paper
- National Library Board retains publishing rights for research outputs
- Fellows must submit a post-fellowship reflection report
- Research outputs may be edited and published in institutional formats
- Failure to comply with obligations may result in financial penalties
- Fellows are responsible for visa/work pass arrangements (supported by NLB)
This Fellowship is highly structured and academically intensive, designed for scholars aiming to produce publication-grade archival research within Southeast Asian studies.