The Medici Archive Project Research Fellowships

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Short Description:

The Medici Archive Project (MAP) invites applications for twelve short-term fellowships to support archival research in Florence, Italy, for the 2025–2026 academic year. These fellowships are open to graduate students, pre-doctoral researchers, and postdoctoral scholars working in fields related to early modern Italy, with preference given to topics involving Tuscany or Medici history.

Fellows will have the opportunity to access primary source materials at the Archivio di Stato di Firenze and other local archives, participate in academic events hosted by MAP, and enroll in the MAP Paleography and Archival Studies Seminar. Each fellowship includes a $8,000 stipend for a three-month research period, which can be scheduled between:

  • Fall Semester: 1 September – 23 December 2025
  • Spring Semester: 1 January – 20 July 2026

Fellows are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs in Florence.

Fellowship Categories

Samuel H. Kress Fellowships (2 positions)

Open to U.S. citizens or students enrolled in U.S. graduate programs in art and architectural history. This fellowship supports on-site archival research and active scholarly engagement with MAP staff.
Eligibility: Graduate/pre-doctoral (U.S. citizenship or U.S.-based enrollment required)

Eva Schler Fellowships (4 positions)

Open to candidates of any nationality, working in any discipline related to early modern Italy. Emphasis is placed on acquiring research skills and archival literacy through direct engagement with MAP’s academic community.
Eligibility: Graduate/pre-doctoral (international applicants welcome)

Beatrice Solomon Fellowships (4 positions)

Designed for scholars in art history (with a focus on women artists or patrons) and those studying early modern Italian Jewry. Fellows will work with original archival materials and present their findings at MAP-organized events.
Eligibility: Graduate/pre-doctoral (international applicants welcome)

Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust Fellowships (2 positions)

Targeted at pre-doctoral scholars in early dissertation stages and postdocs within one year of PhD completion, in any humanities or social science discipline. Research will focus on the Mediceo del Principato and related collections.
Eligibility: Pre-doctoral or recent postdoctoral (international applicants welcome)

Application Requirements:

There is no application form. Interested candidates should submit the following materials in a single PDF to education@medici.org by 15 June 2025:

  1. Cover Letter indicating preferred semester and months of residency
  2. Project Statement (max. 2 pages) detailing how the proposed research will benefit from archival work
  3. Curriculum Vitae
  4. Reference Contact: Name and email of a scholar (preferably a supervisor) who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications (no letters required)

Applicants may apply to only one fellowship category. Please use the subject line:

  • “SAMUEL H. KRESS FELLOWSHIP 2025”
  • “EVA SCHLER FELLOWSHIP 2025”
  • “BEATRICE SOLOMON FELLOWSHIP 2025”
  • “SAMUEL FREEMAN FELLOWSHIP 2025”

All application materials must be submitted in English. Please do not include supplementary materials (e.g. publications, papers, syllabi).

Program Benefits or Awards:

Each fellowship includes a $8,000 stipend for a three-month research period

 Entry Fee: none

Location: Florence, Italy

Deadline: 15 June 2025

Website link: https://www.medici.org/fellowships/

Fellowship