Interested in applying for a fellowship at the International Center for Jefferson Studies? Check back in summer 2025 for more information.
Batten and First Union, Peter Nicolaisen, and Specialized Project Fellowships
Short-term fellowships are awarded for one to three months, open to scholars and researchers from any country, subject to selection by committee. Successful applicants will be working on Jefferson and Jefferson Era related projects, defined broadly. Projects in the past have included: archaeology (including the Digital Archeological Archive of Comparative Slavery); the enslaved community and their descendants (potentially making use of the Getting Word African American Oral History Project); Monticello plantation agriculture; the material culture of Monticello; Native American relations; Jefferson’s views on religious freedom, his role as author of the Declaration of Independence, Founder of the University of Virginia, and leader of the Democratic-Republican political party, among many, many other topics.
Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies (ICJS), where they will have access to Monticello’s expert staff and research holdings at the Jefferson Library as well as the public resources at the University of Virginia. Fellows are also expected to be active and engaged members of the scholarly community here at the ICJS. In addition to participating in other activities, during their residencies, each fellow holds a 60-minute forum on their research project.
Residential accommodation may be available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis at no cost. Because the ICJS is located in a rural setting with no public transportation, it is necessary for fellows to either rent a car, bring their own car, or make arrangements with a local cab company for transportation.
There are several kinds of short-term fellowships offered by the ICJS: One for International Scholars (the Peter Nicolaisen International Fellowship), the second for Domestic Scholars (the Batten and First Union Domestic Fellowship), and the third for specialized projects like: DAACS (Digital Archeological Archive of Comparative Slavery), Curatorial and Historical Interpretation. The difference between these is defined below. What fellows' applications have in common are the following requirements:
· One-paragraph abstract summary of the overall research project
· 500-word succinct description of the research project, specifically addressing the materials to consult at Monticello and explaining why being in residence at the ICJS will assist the project
· One-paragraph biography
· CV/Resume
· Two letters of recommendation, uploaded directly through the online application
Batten and First Union Domestic Fellowship
Domestic Fellows are defined as any fellow whose primary residence at the time of the fellowship is in the United States or Canada. Domestic Fellows receive a stipend of $2,500 per month, paid after the end of their fellowship. They are also eligible for funds to cover reasonable travel costs, pre-approved up to $2,000. (The travel costs are only approved to cover mileage if a fellow is driving or economy tickets for a train or plane; it does not cover the renting of a car while in Charlottesville. Any additional expenses (e.g., an overnight stop mid-drive) require specific permission to qualify.) Housing for fellows is available, based on scheduling, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Peter Nicolaisen International Fellowship
International Fellows are defined as any fellow whose primary residence is outside of the United States or Canada at the time of the fellowship. International Fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 per month, paid in USD after the end of their fellowship. They are also eligible for funds to cover reasonable travel costs, pre-approved up to $2,000. (Travel costs are only approved to cover mileage if a fellow is driving or economy tickets for a train or plane; it does not cover the renting of a car while in Charlottesville. Any expenses (e.g., an overnight hotel stay between flights) require specific permission to qualify.) Housing for fellows is available, based on scheduling, on a first-come, first-serve basis.
DAACS (Digital Archeological Archive of Comparative Slavery) Fellowship
Short-term fellowships for projects related to the Digital Archaeological Archive of Comparative Slavery (DAACS). Those interested can find further information here.
Historical Interpretation Fellowship
These fellowships are awarded for one month and are open to Historical Interpreters. Successful applicants should demonstrate how time at the ICJS would help deepen their understanding of Thomas Jefferson and his world, defined broadly, as well and positively influence their historical interpretation and tours moving forward. Fellows will be expected to participate in the broader scholarly community of the ICJS and be in residence at the center for the equivalent of four days a week during their fellowship. ICJS historians will be available to discuss the interpreter's projects and suggest avenues of research. At the end of their fellowship, Fellows will give a 60-minute presentation to guides and other scholars overviewing what they've learned and how it will influence their historical interpretation. Those interested can find further information and application details here.
Curatorial Fellowship
Short-term fellowships are awarded for periods of one, two, or three months to doctoral candidates and postdoctoral scholars from any country whose work uses the permanent collection and archival resources available at Monticello to focus on the material culture and fine arts of Jeffersonian America as well as the European sources that inspired Jefferson. Those interested can find further information here.
For application questions, please contact Caitlin at clawrence@monticello.org or (434) 984-7575.
Short-term fellowships are underwritten by endowments established for this purpose by the Batten Foundation and Wachovia Corporation (formerly First Union National Bank of Virginia).