US: Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions

Deadline: 9-Aug-23

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Research Programs is accepting applications for Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions program.

The Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions (FPIRI) program supports institutions that provide fellowships for advanced humanities research in the U.S. and abroad, foster communities of intellectual exchange among participating scholars, and provide access to resources that might otherwise not be available to the participating scholars.

Fellowship programs may be administered by independent centers for advanced study, libraries, and museums in the U.S.; American overseas research centers; and American organizations that have expertise in promoting humanities research in foreign countries. Individual scholars apply directly to the institutions for fellowships.

In evaluating applications, consideration is given to the library holdings, archives, special collections, and other resources—either on site or nearby—that institutions make available to fellows.

FPIRI fellowship tenure must be continuous and last from four to twelve months. Residential fellows are expected to be in residence during their entire tenure period and to work on their projects on a full-time basis. Likewise, nonresidential NEH-funded fellows are expected to work on their projects on a full-time basis. If a fellow is obliged through special circumstances to depart before the end of the tenure period, he/she shall receive a prorated stipend.

Adjustments to Stipends

FPIRI awards support fellowship stipends at a rate of $5,000 per month. You may:
- supplement stipends for NEH-funded fellows with your own funds, and fellows may receive additional funds from other sources.
- withhold a portion of the NEH-funded fellows’ stipends to defray the costs of lodging and meals at a residential center.
- offer optional fringe benefits such as health care. You may, but are not required to, deduct their costs from stipends if fellows opt to receive the benefit. Stipend deductions for other fees or indirect costs are not allowed.

Requirements for FPIRI Recipients

If your organization receives a FPIRI award, it must: Publicity and selection:
- consider all eligible applicants equally; you may not restrict eligibility to members of a scholarly organization or to persons affiliated with institutional members of a scholarly organization.
- not accept applications from any of your own officers, employees, members of the board of trustees or advisers, or selection committee members, until at least one year has elapsed since the person’s last service. The same restriction applies to officers, employees, and board members of parent organizations.
- not require an administrative or application fee for NEH-funded fellowships.
- clearly and effectively publicize the availability and application procedures of FPIRIfunded fellowships, so that potential applicants can learn of the full range of opportunities. Publicity materials must explicitly reference the National Endowment for the Humanities funded fellowships offered through the institution. Consult Acknowledgment and Publicity Requirements for NEH Awards and Publicizing Your Project for guidance.
- ensure the fair and informed selection of fellows by relying on the recommendations of an external committee composed of qualified scholars drawn from outside the institution’s staff and governing bodies. The committee must consist of at least three persons, convene either virtually or in person, and you must replace all members each year. Only fellowship applicants the external committee recommends may receive NEH funds.
- avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest in the composition of the selection committee and its deliberations. Staff (including unpaid advisors), officers, board members, and trustees of your institution may not serve as pre-screening evaluators or voting members on committees that review NEH-funded fellowship applications. The same restrictions apply to staff, officers, and trustees of parent organizations. Persons holding individual memberships at an institution should not constitute a majority on that institution’s selection committee.

Details