Apply now for Fellowship in the Digital Humanities

The Fellowship in the Digital Humanities at I Tatti supports scholars, librarians, archivists, and data science professionals who use digital technologies to research the Italian Renaissance and its transnational connections. Fellows receive USD 5,200 per month, plus up to USD 1,800 for relocation expenses, for a residential fellowship of four or six months in Florence, Italy.

About the Fellowship in the Digital Humanities

The Fellowship in the Digital Humanities at I Tatti supports innovative research combining humanities and social sciences with digital technologies.

The fellowship focuses on the Italian Renaissance from the 14th to the 17th century, including its connections and exchanges across national and cultural boundaries.

The programme is suitable for researchers investigating the Renaissance through methods such as:

• Digital mapping and spatial analysis.
• Textual analysis and digital editions.
• Data visualization.
• Semantic web technologies.
• Digital archives and databases.
• Computational approaches to humanities research.
• Digital methods for studying cultural and historical materials.

Research may address subjects including art, architecture, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, material culture, and the history of science.

Research Areas Supported

Projects should demonstrate a meaningful connection between digital technology and Renaissance studies.

Potential research areas include:

• Art and architecture: Digital analysis of artworks, buildings, collections, or cultural networks.
• History: Digital reconstruction of historical events, places, people, and networks.
• Literature: Computational textual analysis, digital editions, or literary databases.
• Material culture: Digital documentation and analysis of objects and collections.
• Music: Digital approaches to Renaissance musical sources and traditions.
• Philosophy and religion: Digital analysis of intellectual and religious networks.
• History of science: Digital investigation of scientific knowledge and its transmission.
• Transnational Renaissance studies: Digital research examining cultural, intellectual, artistic, or commercial exchanges across regions.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful fellows receive financial and academic support during their residence at I Tatti.

The fellowship provides:

• USD 5,200 per month.
• A one-time relocation supplement of up to USD 1,800.
• A fellowship period of either four or six months.
• Access to scholarly resources and research facilities.
• Participation in an academic community in Florence.
• Opportunities to attend conferences and lectures.
• Access to cultural activities, including concerts.
• Possibility of a rent-free apartment or housing subsidy, depending on availability and circumstances.

Up to two fellowships are awarded each year.

Residential Requirement

This is a residential fellowship.

Fellows are expected to live in the Florence area during the fellowship and spend at least three days each week at the center.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their research can be conducted substantially in Florence and that they are prepared to participate actively in the intellectual life of I Tatti.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s professional background and academic qualifications.

Scholars in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Applicants in the humanities or social sciences must:

• Hold a PhD.
• Have a research project related to the Italian Renaissance and its transnational dialogues.
• Demonstrate relevant digital humanities or technical skills.
• Not currently be pursuing a PhD.

Librarians, Archivists and Data Science Professionals

Applicants from these professional fields must:

• Hold at least a Master’s degree.
• Have relevant professional or technical expertise.
• Demonstrate an appropriate connection between their skills and the proposed research.
• Not currently be pursuing a PhD.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Candidates should also:

• Be comfortable working in English.
• Have familiarity with Italian.
• Possess relevant technical or digital research skills.
• Be capable of conducting most of their research in Florence.
• Be prepared to meet the residential requirements.
• Not have previously held an appointment at I Tatti, except for Graduate Fellows.

Priority is given to early- and mid-career scholars.

Special consideration is also given to applicants who do not have regular access to research materials and facilities in Italy.

What Does Digital Humanities Mean in This Fellowship?

Digital humanities refers to the use of computational and digital methods to investigate questions traditionally studied through the humanities.

For example, a researcher could use:

• Geographic mapping to study Renaissance trade or cultural networks.
• Text-mining tools to examine a large collection of historical documents.
• Data visualization to identify relationships between artists, patrons and institutions.
• Digital databases to connect manuscripts, artworks and archival records.
• Semantic web technologies to link historical people, places and objects.

The important factor is that digital technology should contribute meaningfully to the research question rather than simply being used as an additional tool.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The fellowship provides researchers with an opportunity to combine Renaissance scholarship and digital innovation within an international research environment.

It can be particularly valuable for scholars whose projects require access to Italian research materials, archives, collections, libraries, networks or other resources that are difficult to access remotely.

The residential format also encourages collaboration and intellectual exchange with other researchers working on Renaissance studies.

How the Fellowship Works

Applicants should develop a focused research proposal demonstrating both scholarly significance and appropriate use of digital methods.

Step 1: Develop a Research Project

Define a specific research question connected to the Italian Renaissance between the 14th and 17th centuries.

The project may examine Italian Renaissance culture itself or its transnational connections.

Step 2: Explain the Digital Methodology

Clearly explain which digital tools or techniques will be used.

For example:

• Mapping.
• Textual analysis.
• Data visualization.
• Digital databases.
• Semantic web technologies.
• Computational analysis.

Explain why the selected technology is necessary or particularly useful for answering the research question.

Step 3: Demonstrate Your Qualifications

Show how your academic or professional background prepares you to undertake the proposed research.

Include relevant:

• Academic qualifications.
• Research experience.
• Publications.
• Digital humanities experience.
• Technical skills.
• Archival or library experience, where relevant.

Step 4: Explain the Need for Florence

Applicants should demonstrate why the research requires a residential period in Florence.

Identify the resources, collections, scholarly networks or research environment that are important to completing the project.

Step 5: Prepare for the Residential Fellowship

Make sure you can meet the requirement to live in the Florence area and spend at least three days per week at I Tatti.

The fellowship is intended to involve active participation in the center’s scholarly community.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Clearly defining the research question.
• Connecting digital methods directly to the research objectives.
• Demonstrating relevant technical expertise.
• Explaining the project’s contribution to Renaissance studies.
• Showing why I Tatti and Florence are important to the research.
• Providing a realistic research plan for four or six months.
• Highlighting the project’s transnational dimension where relevant.
• Explaining how access to Italian research resources will improve the project.

A proposal should demonstrate both scholarly value and meaningful digital innovation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing a project unrelated to the Italian Renaissance.
• Using digital technology without explaining its research purpose.
• Failing to demonstrate relevant technical skills.
• Ignoring the residential requirement.
• Proposing research that cannot realistically be conducted in Florence.
• Applying while currently pursuing a PhD.
• Overlooking the previous-appointment restriction.
• Failing to demonstrate familiarity with Italian where required.
• Submitting a project that is too broad to complete within four or six months.

Key Details at a Glance

• Fellowship: Fellowship in the Digital Humanities at I Tatti
• Host: I Tatti
• Location: Florence, Italy
• Research focus: Italian Renaissance, 14th–17th centuries
• Approach: Digital humanities and transnational Renaissance studies
• Monthly grant: USD 5,200
• Relocation support: Up to USD 1,800
• Duration: 4 or 6 months
• Awards: Up to 2 fellowships annually
• PhD requirement: Required for humanities and social sciences scholars
• Master’s requirement: Required for librarians, archivists and data science professionals
• Residential requirement: Live in the Florence area and spend at least 3 days per week at the center
• Priority: Early- and mid-career researchers
• Previous I Tatti appointments: Generally ineligible, except Graduate Fellows

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Fellowship in the Digital Humanities at I Tatti?

It is a residential research fellowship supporting scholars and other qualified professionals who use digital technologies to study the Italian Renaissance and its transnational connections.

How much funding does the fellowship provide?

Fellows receive USD 5,200 per month and a one-time relocation supplement of up to USD 1,800.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship can last either four months or six months.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include PhD-qualified scholars in the humanities and social sciences, as well as librarians, archivists and data science professionals with at least a Master’s degree. Applicants must not currently be pursuing a PhD.

What research topics are eligible?

Research should focus on the Italian Renaissance from the 14th to the 17th century and may cover art, architecture, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, material culture, the history of science and related transnational connections.

Is the fellowship residential?

Yes. Fellows must live in the Florence area and spend at least three days per week at the center during the fellowship.

Can someone who previously held an I Tatti appointment apply?

Term Fellowships at I Tatti can generally be held only once, and applicants who previously held appointments at I Tatti are not eligible, except for Graduate Fellows.

Conclusion

The Fellowship in the Digital Humanities at I Tatti offers a valuable opportunity for qualified researchers and digital humanities professionals to advance innovative scholarship on the Italian Renaissance. With USD 5,200 per month, relocation support, access to scholarly resources and a collaborative research environment in Florence, the fellowship is particularly suited to early- and mid-career applicants whose projects combine Renaissance studies with meaningful digital methodologies.