SUMMER SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) invites applications for the 2027 Summer Short-term Fellowship Program.  Academics, researchers, writers, archivists, and artists are eligible for the Fellowship based on their research interests and need for access to Black collections within BMRC Member Institutions. While submissions from applicants outside of metropolitan Chicago will be given priority, all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. 

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NOTICE REGARDING TIMING OF THE FELLOWSHIP:

• This one-month residency must be carried out between June - August 2027
• One month means four consecutive weeks.
• Proposed dates and alternative dates must be provided within the application. 
• If a fellow is not able to abide by the residency requirements, the BMRC reserves the right to rescind the offer.

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NOTICE REGARDING FUNDING OF THE ONE MONTH FELLOWSHIP:

• Awardees whose primary residence is in the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $3,000 stipend. 
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $4,500 stipend.
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the USA will receive a $5,000 stipend.

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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

ACCEPTABLE FILE TYPES: .doc, .docx, .pdf

GENERAL INFORMATION: Must be filled in within the online Submittable application form

CV:  

· Please include your name, contact information, and institutional affiliation, if applicable. 

· CVs must be uploaded within the Submittable.com system in the designated section of the application.

RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL:

FORMAT of DOCUMENT - Your proposal must follow the following format:

· 1500-1800 words, single spaced

· Font Size: 12 pt

· Preferred formats: PDF, MS Word

· Margins in MS Word must be set to NORMAL (1 inch for top, bottom, left, and right).

STRUCTURE of PROPOSAL:

· section 1 - BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION

· section 2 - RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

· section 3 - SIGNIFICANCE OF PROJECT

· section 4 - RESEARCH PLAN  -- Include a brief narrative, an outline of your research plan, and the dates of proposed research. 

· NOTE: All sections of the research project proposal must be submitted as one document  and uploaded within the Submittable.com system in the designated section of the application

CONTENT OF PROPOSAL: The following recommendations guide the expectations of our jurors when reviewing applicant proposals.

· Provide a compelling narrative of your interest in African American history as well as the title and description of your proposed research topic.

· Detail how the proposed research topic will generate new perspectives or contribute to knowledge of the Black experience in the Chicago area.

· Discuss the significance/impact of the project and its relationship to published scholarly research on the topic.

· Share how your research project fits within the purpose of the Summer Short-Term Fellowship program

· Explain which BMRC member's collections are most vital to your project. 

· NOTE: The jurors will review your list of BMRC institutions and the collections you intend to review. 

· To become familiar with the BMRC member archival collections, please visit the BMRC ARCHIVAL PORTAL and also review the BMRC MEMBER INSTITUTIONS LIST. Please note that some members may have more updated information on their collections on their own institutional website.

A sample of your work (scholarly paper, video, photography, or other artistic work). Please review our Sample Work Guidelines before accessing the Submittable online application to become familiar with size limits and other specifics regarding uploaded items.

REFERENCES:

• Two references are REQUIRED.
• A third reference is optional but encouraged in the event that one person is not timely or fails to respond. 
• All reference letters must be submitted by the reference deadline, Friday, January 15 at 11:59 PM, using the designated section of the fellowship application form within Submittable.com.
• Those providing a reference should be familiar with your qualifications for the proposed project and speak to your research skills, experience, knowledge of African American history, and capacity to carry out the proposed project. The applicant must ensure their references submit letters via the Submittable online system by the reference deadline. 
• In providing their email address, your designated references will receive a link to upload their reference letter to the Submittable system.
• Notify everyone you name as a reference so they will look for the email notification.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS:

• ACCEPTABLE FILE TYPES: Please refer to the SUPPORTING MATERIALS section of the online application
• All submitted work samples (media and files) should have been completed within the past four (4) years.  A note of explanation should accompany any work sample completed outside of this time frame.
• Any work done with a collaborator must be noted.  Please describe your role with respect to the work.  Please submit samples of critical reviews of your work, if available.
• Please review the description of varied acceptable supporting materials in the "SUPPORT MATERIALS" section of the application. 
• NOTE: All supporting materials (media and files) must be uploaded within the Submittable.com application system following the directions provided in the SUPPORT MATERIALS section of the application. 

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DEADLINE:

Please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Saturday, January 9, 2027.  

• References are encouraged to provide a reference letter as soon as possible so that the application package review process can begin.  However, all applicants have until Friday, January 15, 2027 to submit their references.
• References must use Submitable.com and will not otherwise be accepted. (Please refer to the reference section of the online application form for more information.) 

If you have any questions, please review our website's FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW & HOW TO APPLY page.  If you have additional questions, please email bmrc@uchicago.edu and indicate 2027 Fellowship Application in your subject line.