In keeping with the central value the Society places on bibliography as a critical framework, the BSA funds a number of fellowships to promote inquiry and research in books and other textual artifacts in both traditional and emerging formats.
Bibliographical projects may range chronologically from the study of clay tablets and papyrus rolls to contemporary literary texts and born-digital materials. Topics relating to books and manuscripts in any field and of any period are eligible for consideration as long as they include analysis of the physical object – that is, the handwritten, printed, or other textual artifact – as historical evidence.
Projects may include establishing a text or studying the history of book or manuscript production, publication, distribution, collecting, or reading, and the history of bibliographical study itself. Fellowship awards may be used to fund travel to collections and other expenses associated with research, publication, or other scholarly outcomes related to the topic for which the award was made. Projects that are primarily enumerative (lists) will be considered for funding provided the proposal states a clear objective, describes the need for such work within its field, and specifies the extent to which textual objects will be described. Sample entries for project results are also welcome, if applicable.
For projects that involve significant computer applications or use of digital surrogates, the proposal must explain how the digital analysis relates to the researcher’s examination and study of original artifacts. Projects that rely wholly on digital surrogates without prior analysis of original materials will not be funded.
Normally, BSA fellowships support research and are not intended to fund time spent writing. Exceptionally, during the 2022 cycle, when Covid-19 restrictions on travel may still be in effect, the Committee will consider proposals for writing projects based on prior bibliographical research.
Projects involving more than one researcher are eligible for consideration if they meet the criteria described above. Detailed instructions for group applications are offered in the application form.
Applicants should read the fellowship titles and descriptions below to assess the general suitability of their projects to BSA’s program. Please note that individuals who have not received BSA fellowships in the previous five years will be given preference.
Application Guidelines
The deadline for applications for fellowships to be awarded in 2022 is Friday, October 1, 2021. All applications must be completed and letters of recommendation submitted to the Society by this date.
The BSA uses Kaleidoscope to manage applications to our programs, and all candidates and recommenders are required to submit materials through that website. Applicants are asked to submit the following:
- Project title
- Applicant’s curriculum vitae
- Project proposal of no more than 1,000 words
- Project budget
- Project timeline
- A list of materials to be consulted.
- Two letters of recommendation submitted via Kaleidoscope. The committee will not accept letters of recommendation by any other means.
The fellowship committee will match proposed projects to suitable fellowships, and the awards will be announced at the annual meeting of the Society in January of each year. All fellowships require a project report within one year of receipt of the award, and copies of any publications resulting from the project are to be sent to the BSA.
We regret that we cannot consider late or incomplete applications. Applicants are advised to request recommendation letters well in advance.
Recommenders: What to Expect
If you are submitting a recommendation on behalf of a Fellowship applicant you will receive an automated message from Kaleidoscope prompting you to set up an account and submit your materials through their website. If you do not receive such an email check your junk or spam folder. You can also email help@mykaleidoscope.com for tech support.
Letters of recommendation should be written specifically in support of this application by persons who are competent to judge the significance of the project.
Eligibility
With the exception of The BSA-Harry Ransom Center Pforzheimer Fellowship in Bibliography, eligibility is limited to:
- US Citizens and Residents
- Citizens of other nations without US residency who wish to conduct research outside of the United States only
The BSA-Harry Ransom Center Pforzheimer Fellowship is open to non-US residents who wish to conduct research at the Harry Ransom Center, which will sponsor their visas and assist with the visa application process.
All fellowships except for the BSA-Harry Ransom Center Pforzheimer Fellowship are open applications from research pairs or groups. Special instructions for joint or group applications are provided in the application form.
For more information, please contact Hope Mayo, Chair of the Fellowship Committee at bsafellowships@bibsocamer.org.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.