Apply for a SIMS Visiting Research Fellowship

2026–2027 Visiting Research Fellowships

Applications for the 2026–2027 fellowship program are now open. 

Guided by the vision of its founders, Lawrence J. Schoenberg and Barbara Brizdle Schoenberg, SIMS aims to bring manuscript culture, modern technology, and people together to provide access to and understanding of our shared intellectual heritage. Part of the Penn Libraries, SIMS oversees an extensive collection of premodern manuscripts from around the world, with a special focus on the history of philosophy and science, and creates open-access digital content to support the study of its collections. SIMS also hosts the Schoenberg Database of Manuscripts and the annual Schoenberg Symposium on Manuscript Studies in the Digital Age.

The SIMS Visiting Research Fellowships were established to encourage research relating to the premodern manuscript collections at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, including the Lawrence J. Schoenberg Collection. Proposals involving our digital projects, including the Schoenberg Database, BASIRA, and VCEditor, or those with an AI-driven, handwriting recognition or computer vision component are also encouraged.

Affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, located near other manuscript-rich research collections (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Science History Institute, and the Rosenbach Museum and Library, among many others), and linked to the local and international scholarly communities, SIMS offers fellows a network of resources and opportunities for collaboration. Fellows will be encouraged to interact with SIMS staff, Penn faculty, and other medieval and early modern scholars in the Philadelphia area. Fellows will also be expected to present their research at Penn Libraries either during the term of the fellowship or on a selected date following the completion of the term.

American Trust for the British Library Fellowship Collaboration

Started in 2025, SIMS participates in a collaboration with the American Trust for the British Library (ATBL) to offer SIMS Visiting Research Fellows the opportunity to apply to the ATBL for a further $2,500 to support research on the same project at the British Library. The ATBL fellowship will be awarded in the year following the SIMS Visiting Research Fellowship.

If a SIMS fellowship is awarded, then the ATBL will reach out to the applicant with a request to apply.

Visiting Research Fellowship Terms

Applicants can apply to spend 1 month (minimum of 4 work weeks) at SIMS between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Project proposals should demonstrate that the Libraries’ premodern manuscript resources are integral to proposed research topics. Up to 3 fellowships with a stipend of $5,000 each will be awarded this year.

Recipients will be expected to conduct their research at SIMS; short research trips in support of the proposed project to nearby institutions are permitted. Proposals with a digital component are highly encouraged but not required.

Eligibility

Fellowships are open to all scholars living outside of the greater Philadelphia area. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or an equivalent professional degree by the time the fellowship begins. Independent scholars with a substantial record of achievement are encouraged to apply. Collaborative projects are welcome, though the $5000/month stipend will be shared among collaborators. Applicants who have not completed a Ph.D. at the time of application must have a letter from their dissertation advisor(s) stating that the degree will be completed before the applicant’s proposed dates of the fellowship.

Important Note Regarding Taxation and Visas

This fellowship is subject to U.S. income tax.  Fellows who are U.S. citizens and resident aliens will need to complete a W9 form.

If you are a non-resident alien in the U.S., tax in an amount of up to 30% may be withheld from your award.  However, if your country has a tax treaty with the United States, you may be eligible for certain tax benefits. Learn more about income tax treaties by country on the IRS's website. You may also be able to recover the taxes by filing a U.S. tax return. View the form and instructions for filing a tax return as a U.S. non-resident. Fellows should consult with a tax professional in their country for further guidance.

Fellows who will be non-resident aliens for the duration of their stay in Philadelphia will be required to obtain a J-1 Visa. Fellows needing a J-1 visa should take into account the 3-month application process when planning dates. Fellows who do not already have a Social Security number will be required to obtain one from the local Social Security office during the period of residence. Find out how to apply for a Social Security number. 

Application Process

To be considered, applicants must submit the following by Friday, May 1, 2026:

• 2-3 page summary of the project that clearly states a) the relationship of Penn Libraries’ manuscript collections to the project, b) the project’s significance to manuscript studies, and c) a work plan for the duration of the fellowship. The proposal should include the name of applicant(s), the title of project, and preferred dates of the fellowship.
• CV
• 2 letters of support from scholars who can speak to the merits of the project for the advancement of the field of manuscript studies. Letters should address the project’s potential for contributing to the advancement of the understanding of the material and its impact on its related field(s) of study. Letters may be included in the application or sent separately by the referee if preferred.
• Indication in the cover letter of whether the applicant would like to be considered for the American Trust for the British Library Fellowship in the following year.

Applications should be sent by email to lransom@upenn.edu, as a pdf or by post to:

Lynn Ransom
Curator of Programs
Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies
University of Pennsylvania Libraries
3420 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Application materials must be received by Friday, May 1, 2026 to be considered. Notice of awards will be sent by May 15, 2026. Please direct questions regarding the fellowship to the above contact.