Through an international competition, the Black Metropolis Research Consortium offers one month residential fellowships in the City of Chicago for its Summer Short-term Fellowship Program.  Since 2016, the Summer Short-term Fellowship Program has engaged scholars, artists, writers, and public historians to better formulate new historical narratives of Chicago’s past. The new, original research, music and art developed through this program is significant as it illuminates the national and international importance of Chicago’s African American community to the broader history of Black America.

The purpose of the Summer Short-term Research Fellowship is:

  • To create research opportunities for scholars and artists to conduct primary research in Chicago/Illinois-based BMRC archival repositories;
  • To generate new knowledge in the field of African American history;
  • To engage the local Chicago community in the history of the city.

Each Fellowship consists of one-month of support during the summer fellowship period (June through August). The BMRC provides a stipend of $4000 for each Fellow to be utilized during the summer in the year in which it was awarded. Fellowships may not be deferred.

ELEGIBILITY:

  • Citizens or permanent residents from any country (applicant from countries outside the United States must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain a J-1 visa even if they are currently in the United States);
  • Scholars and artists with outstanding capabilities and experience from a variety of backgrounds (including academia, journalism, and other professions); and
  • English language proficiency.

REQUIREMENTS:

BMRC Summer Short-Term Fellows must adhere to the following in order to receive their full stipend:

  1. Diligently pursue active research related to the topic outlined in their application project description/proposal.
  2. Participate in opening events (e.g. a Welcome Breakfast, if available and one Orientation). There will be other optional events that provide opportunities for Fellows to meet each other, BMRC member archivists, and other BMRC stakeholders.
  3. Present a final public presentation (approximatley 20 minutes) of their research activities by the close of the summer program or another date in the early fall designated by the Program Manager/Archivist. BMRC Staff will work with fellows to schedule their presentations and confirm dates in advance.
  4. Upon completion of the Fellowship, respond to the BMRC 2022 Fellows Survey. Information and link will be provided by the Program Manager/Archivist. Fellows are expected to respond during or immediately after finishing their residential month in Chicago.
  5. Deposit an “artifact” from their summer research with the BMRC to preserve and share the outcomes of their research and to promote research resulting from the fellowship. This artifact may include a copy of your final presentation or a blog-style post analysis of a document uncovered during your research that sheds important light on your topic, etc.
  6. Provide the BMRC with an “end of fellowship” summary report (no more than 1000 words) which details the archives visited, research findings, and future plans regarding the research topic. Incorporating some of your responses to the BMRC 2022 Fellowship survey is encouraged, but not required.

The deadline for applications is January 7, 2022. If you are interested in applying, click here.