SIMS / Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures Collaborative Fellowship

About the Fellowship

The SIMS-CSMC Fellowship will allow the recipient to spend one month (minimum 4 weeks) at SIMS researching manuscript collections at Penn Libraries and other Philadelphia-area collections, then spend between one and three months at CSMC to study the same manuscript or group of manuscripts researched at SIMS, taking advantage of CSMC’s expertise in the Humanities, material analysis and/or Computer Science. The SIMS-CSMC Fellowship has been established to provide an opportunity to engage with the unique combinations of expertise offered by SIMS and CSMC and to encourage the cross-fertilization of ideas and innovative approaches to the study of manuscripts championed by both institutions.

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 research fellowships have been established to encourage research relating to the premodern manuscript collections at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, including the Lawrence J. Schoenberg Collection. 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 will offer the SIMS-CSMC Fellow 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.

The CSMC is a cross-disciplinary research institute at the University of Hamburg that brings together specialists working on all aspects of manuscripts and other written artefacts, including their material properties. Its global perspective with a particular focus on African and Asian writing cultures spans all historical periods from antiquity to the digital age and encompasses all forms of handwriting and related practices such as transmission, archiving, and preservation. The Centre houses a vibrant research community that benefits from an infrastructure unique in the field. This includes an extensive in-house laboratory system, comprising a three-part Artefact Lab that develops and applies non-destructive analytical methods, as well as several computer science labs; a research library holding more than 17,000 volumes; and a Graduate School that trains early-career researchers from the humanities, natural sciences, and computer science. The Petra Kappert Fellowship, the guest professorship "African Manuscript Cultures," and the J.P. Gumbert Award regularly attract outstanding researchers from around the world to pursue projects on the history of writing in Hamburg.

Fellowship Terms

The one-month SIMS fellowship comes with a stipend of $5000 and must take place before the CSMC fellowship. The SIMS fellowship can be scheduled anytime from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The CSMC fellowship offers a monthly stipend of between $2590–$4463 (depending on the number of years after the PhD) plus Hamburg-return travel costs for one to three months and can be scheduled any time from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027.

Project proposals should demonstrate the significance of the selected Penn Libraries’ manuscript collections to the project and demonstrate how CSMC’s expertise and assets align with and support the research project. Recipients will be expected to conduct their research at SIMS and at the CSMC; short research trips in support of the proposed project to nearby institutions are permitted. 

The Fellow will also be expected to present their research in a hybrid lecture to be held in person at the University of Hamburg.

Eligibility

The SIMS-CSMC Fellowship is open to all scholars not affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania or the University of Hamburg. Applicants must have completed a PhD 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 stipends will be shared among collaborators. Applicants who have not completed a PhD at the time of application must have a letter from their dissertation advisor(s) stating that the degree will be completed prior to the applicant’s proposed dates of the fellowship.

Application Process

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

• A 3-5 page summary of the project that a) describes the research project, b) clearly states the significance of the selected Penn Libraries’ manuscript collections to the project and demonstrates how CSMC’s expertise and assets align with and could support the research project, c) the project’s significance to manuscript studies, and d) a work plan for the duration of the fellowship while at the University of Pennsylvania and at the University of Hamburg. The proposal would include the preferred dates of the fellowship
• A cv
• Two letters of support from scholars who can speak to the merits of the project. Letters should address the project’s potential for contributing to the advancement of manuscript studies and its impact on any related field(s) of research. Letters may be included in the application or sent separately by the referee if preferred

Applications should be sent by email to Lynn Ransom (lransom@upenn.edu) and Eva Jungbluth (eva.jungbluth@uni-hamburg.de), preferably as a single pdf by Friday, May 1, 2026.

Important Note Regarding Taxation and Visas

The SIMS stipend 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. 

The CSMC stipend will not be subject to any tax deductions. Depending on the tax system in the home country, the stipend may be taxable. It is the responsibility of the fellowship holder to comply with any applicable fiscal regulations. For visa requirements and application regulations, please refer to your local German embassy.