fellowships 2027–2028

The Ransom Center will award up to 50 research fellowships for its 2027–2028 program. Please view the individual residency types within the application instructions to determine the qualifications for each. We offer funding to graduate students, current and former academic faculty at any level of career, and independent researchers such as journalists and artists, who require archival research at the Center for their projects.

Research conducted by humanities scholars contributes to a dynamic body of knowledge that has the potential to reshape our understanding of archival collections—what is preserved and valued in our communities. The Ransom Center fosters a supportive environment so that researchers may explore, examine, critique, and better understand the cultural works in its collections. Fellowships of varying lengths (from one week to two months) are offered for research projects that require substantial on-site use of collections that span a variety of disciplines.

Types of Available Fellowships

Postdoctoral Fellowships — $3,500 PER MONTH*
Postdoctoral fellowships are available for scholars with a PhD or other terminal degrees (e.g., MFA, MLIS), including current and former academic faculty and similarly qualified researchers without an institutional affiliation. Postdoctoral fellows may apply for one or two months of funding.

Dissertation Fellowships — $2,500*
Dissertation fellowships are available for graduate students whose in-progress doctoral dissertations require use of the Center's collections. Dissertations must not have been completed by the start of the fellowship period. Master’s students or other graduate researchers who are not working on a dissertation should apply for a travel stipend.

Travel Stipends — $2,000*
Travel stipends are available for graduate students, current and former academic faculty, and independent researchers such as journalists and artists, whose projects require access to the Ransom Center’s collections. Travel stipends may not be combined with other Ransom Center fellowships.

* For all fellowship categories, an additional, one-time $500 stipend will be provided to individuals who are citizens or residents of countries other than the U.S. to contribute to the costs associated with the J-1 visa and/or international travel to Austin