2026-2027 David Center for the American Revolution Predoctoral Fellowship

Description

The David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum in Philadelphia invites applications for a nine-month residential fellowship for graduate students working on topics related to the American Revolution and Founding Era (1750-1800).

The nine-month fellowship during the 2026-2027 academic year is intended for advanced Ph.D. students working toward the completion of the dissertation. The caliber of the project, the need to use the collections of the David Center for the American Revolution at the APS's Library & Museum and other research institutions in the Philadelphia area, and evidence that the project will be completed in a timely manner, are the three most important criteria for selection. Applicants may be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. 

The David Center for the American Revolution integrates the rich manuscript, microfilm, and print collections of the David Library with the Early American history collections of the APS to create a one-stop-shop for the study of the American Revolution. The David Library collections consist of approximately 8,000 volumes, 9,000 reels of microfilm, and the large Sol Feinstone manuscript collection. The Sol Feinstone Collection, a rich collection of letters and documents, was assembled by DLAR Founder Sol Feinstone (1888-1980) over a period of fifty years. It includes material on almost all notable Americans from before the Revolution to the 1850s, as well as prominent Europeans and documents related to military affairs. This adds to the APS Library's Early American History Collections, which are particularly strong for the period from 1750 to 1840. In addition to the Benjamin Franklin Papers and the Thomas Paine Collection, the APS has a wide assortment of documents from the revolutionary era. Among these are official government documents and correspondence, military records that range from the Continental Army to Pennsylvania county records, and personal correspondence from various historical actors. Comprehensive, searchable guides and finding aids to these collections are available online at www.amphilsoc.org/library and http://amphilsoc.pastperfectonline.com/.

Applicants whose research subjects overlap any other APS's Library & Museum fellowship programs may also submit applications to other pertinent programs, though only one fellowship can be awarded to an individual.

[In addition, the APS's Library & Museum offers several short-term fellowships to support research using its collections. For information on the short-term fellowships visit https://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/fellowships.]

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to those who are not U.S. citizens or residents, but it does not provide visa sponsorship.

Terms

• 9 month residential fellowship
• $25,000 stipend
• $5,000 travel/research fund

Application Instructions

Applicants Will Submit:

• C.V.;

• An introductory cover letter (no more than two pages);
• Two letters of reference in support of the project and applicant;
• A project proposal of approximately 2-4 pages (no more than 1,000 words in length). The proposal should include: a) a description of the project; b) a statement explaining the significance of the project; c) an indication of the specific APS collections the applicant wishes to consult.

Deadline: January 16, 2026

Applicants: Please use Interfolio's help desk for any issues pertaining to the online application process.

The American Philosophical Society is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scholarly excellence while supporting a working and intellectual environment that fosters an inclusive atmosphere for learning, prizes diverse origins and points of view, advances equal opportunities to learn and communicate, and encourages the widest possible access to its collections. The APS has titled these goals the APS IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality, and Access) for its enduring institutional commitment to these values.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The American Philosophical Society is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on any basis including race, creed, color, age, sex, gender, religion or national origin. The APS values diversity and inclusion and encourages diverse applicants to apply. Successful applicants will be asked to show proof that they can legally work in the U.S.