Townsend Research Fellowships for Librarians

Our longest-running program, the Townsend Fellowships program supports the research of librarians at UC Berkeley. The Townsend Library Fellow will be expected to meet for regular discussions with graduate students, assistant professors, several tenured faculty, and other invited guests. These discussions allow for interdisciplinary peer review of work in progress in a weekly discussion format.

The purpose of the Fellowship is to further the research of the individual recipients and to promote interdepartmental exchange: i.e., to enable the librarian, faculty, and graduate students within the humanities to meet and work with their colleagues in other departments. However, the project need not be "interdisciplinary" by definition. Awards are based on the scholarly merit of the individual applications. The selection committee will also take into consideration the research project's potential interest to scholars in different fields of the humanities and the likelihood of the applicant’s contribution to interdisciplinary discussion. The Fellows, together with several tenured faculty appointed by the director of the Townsend Center, form a Fellowship group that meets over lunch every Tuesday from 12 – 2 p.m. to discuss work in progress. The award of a Townsend Fellowship carries with it the understanding that the recipient will attend the weekly meetings of the Fellowship group and participate actively as a member.

Eligibility

All full-time librarians at UC Berkeley whose research and experience significantly involves humanistic material or problems that have a significant bearing on the humanities are eligible to apply. Graduate students at UC Berkeley libraries are not eligible but may apply through the Townsend Dissertation Fellowship.

Grant Provision

Library Fellows receive a $2,000 research allowance that may be used for such things as books, professional travel, computer equipment, or any other approved research expense.

Deadline

November 15, 2011 – received by 5 p.m.

Application Materials

Download the 2012-13 Townsend Fellowship for Librarians guidelines and application:
PDF
Microsoft Word

For questions about the program, please contact The Townsend Center Fellowships Administrator at townsend_fellowships@berkeley.edu or 510-643-8082.