The Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies (SIMS) Visiting Research Fellowship program seeks applications for the 2016-2017 academic year. The program was established to encourage research relating to the pre-modern manuscript collections at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, including the 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 Chemical Heritage Foundation, 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.

Applicants can apply to spend 1, 2, or 3 months at SIMS. Project proposals should demonstrate that the Libraries’ pre-modern manuscript resources are integral to proposed research topics. Recipients will be expected to conduct their research at SIMS, excluding possible short research trips in support of the proposed project to nearby institutions. Proposals with a digital component are encouraged though not required.

Eligibility
The fellowships are open to all scholars living outside of the Philadelphia area. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or an equivalent professional degree by the time the fellowship begins.