The Montana Historical Society Research Center awards two competitive fellowships annually to researchers conducting an in-depth study of Montana history. The James H. Bradley Fellowship supports academic research that makes a significant contribution to the study of Montana history. The Dave Walter Research Fellowship supports researchers involved in public history projects focusing on the study of local history.
JAMES H. BRADLEY FELLOWSHIP
MHS Photograph Archives
(941-317)
The Research Center offers up to two James H. Bradley Fellowship(s) every summer to graduate students, faculty, and/or independent scholars pursuing research on Montana history. Each Fellowship includes a stipend of $2,500.
The recipient(s) of the award is expected to be in residence conducting research for the equivalent of four weeks between June 1 and October 31. Fellows are expected to make use of the MHS's collections and to submit a written report upon completion of the research. Bradley Fellows also agree to submit an article based on the research for possible publication in the Society's quarterly journal, Montana The Magazine of Western History , within one year of their residency.
Previous Bradley Fellowship recipients and research topics.
Award Criteria
- suitability of research to the Society's archival, library, photograph or museum collections
- applicant's experience and training
- potential of the project to make a significant contribution to historical scholarship on Montana
- potential of the project to produce an article-length publication.
Applications must include a cover letter, a project proposal not to exceed three double-spaced pages, a 2-3 page resume, and at least one letter of recommendation. The proposal should indicate what specifc material in the MHS collections the applicant intends to consult. Montana Historical Society employees and previous Bradley Fellows are not eligible to apply.
Applications must be postmarked no later than March 1st and sent to the Bradley Selection Committee, Montana Historical Society, PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620-1201. Email: mhslibrary@mt.gov or call (406) 444-2681. Announcement of the award will be made in early April. Questions about the fellowship should be directed to Molly Kruckenberg, Research Center Director, at mkruckenberg@mt.gov.
For more information about the Montana Historical Society and its collections see: www.montanahistoricalsociety.org or contact MHS staff at mhslibrary@mt.gov.
Dave Walter Research Fellowship
In an effort to encourage the study of local history in Montana and honor a beloved colleague, the Montana Historical Society has created the Dave Walter Research Fellowship. This fellowship will be awarded to a Montana resident involved in a public history project focused on exploring local history. The award is intended to help Montanans conduct research on their towns, counties, and regions using resources at the Montana Historical Society. Research can be for any project related to exploring local history; including exhibit development, walking tours, oral history projects, building history/preservation, county or town histories, archaeological research, class projectsetc.
Fellowship awards of $1,250 each will be given to two researchers. Recipients will be expected to:
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travel to the MHS to conduct research
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spend a minimum of one week in residence conducting research
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provide a copy of their final product or a report on their completed project to the MHS Research Center
Applications are evaluated on:
- suitability of the research to the Society's collections
- potential of the project to make a contribution to local history
- experience in conducting local history research
The application must include a cover letter; a project proposal, not to exceed 3 pages in length, describing the research, including the specific collections at the Montana Historical Society that you intend to use; a 1-2 page resume, and a letter of recommendation.
Dave Walter Fellows will not compete with the Bradley Fellowship applicants for awards.
Applications must be postmarked no later than March 1st and sent to the Dave Walter Research Fellowship Selection Committee, Montana Historical Society, PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620-1201. Email: mhslibrary@mt.gov or call (406) 444-2681. Announcement of the award will be made in early April. Questions about the fellowship should be directed to Molly Kruckenberg, Research Center Director, at mkruckenberg@mt.gov .
For more information about the Montana Historical Society and its collections see: www.montanahistoricalsociety.org
The James H. Bradley Fellowship and the Dave Walter Research Fellowship are supported by funds from the James H. Bradley Memorial Trust.
