The University of North Texas Libraries invites applications for the 2015 UNT Special Collections Research Fellowship. Research in special collections is relevant to studies in a variety of disciplines including history, journalism, political science, geography, fine art, art history and American studies. We encourage applicants to think creatively about new uses for special collections. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest potential for publication and the best use of special collections at UNT Libraries.

A total of $4,000 in funding will be awarded to two or more fellowship applicants. Fellowship awards are intended to defray the actual costs of conducting research and applicants must prepare a budget detailing their expenses as part of the application process. Fellows will be required to conduct research in residence at UNT for a minimum of four days and a maximum of three months to receive the award. The fellow will be required to write a brief (under 500 words) overview of their research experience and may also be asked to present an informal lecture on their research. The Special Collections Fellowship is generously supported by the Friends of the UNT Libraries.

The Fellowship is open to faculty, graduate students and independent researchers. Any funding awarded must be used between June 1, 2015 and August 30, 2016.

Applicants should demonstrate the specific relevance of UNT Special Collections to their current research through their essay and cover letter. Information on library holdings can be located through the UNT Libraries catalog, the Special Collections department website, online finding aids for archives and manuscript collections or by contacting the department directly at [log in to unmask]

Please submit the following materials as your application:

• An essay (3 pages maximum) describing your research interests, specific goals for research during the Fellowship period and the specific collections intended for use. For the Special Collections Fellowship also indicate the dates that will spent in residence.
• A brief CV (3-5 pages)
• Budget detailing travel expenses such as airfare, transportation or mileage, lodging, meals or other expenses
• One letter of reference indicating the significance of the proposed research. Letters can be sent directly from the recommender or included in the application packet.

Application materials should be submitted electronically in PDF of Microsoft Word format.

Some UNT Special Collections resources of note:

UNT has collecting strengths in miniature books, pop-up books, and artists’ books

Resource Center LGBT Collection of the UNT Libraries, 1940-2011

Alexander M. Troup Collection (mixed media art)

Byrd Williams Family Photography Collection, 1880-2013 (a portion of this collection is available in the Portal to Texas History)

Mildred Schaeffer Zichner Collection, 1968-1992 (amateur travel photography, a portion will be available in the Portal soon)

Clark Family Photography Collection (includes Tennessee Select photos, a portion is available on the Portal)

L.D. Sparkman Collection, 1928-2011 (travel photography and modern dance photography)

Diane Williams Photography Collection, 2000-2006

Vann Victorian Literature Collection

Byrd Williams Collin County Community College Student Work and Documentary Collection, 1988-2013 (of interest to urban planning/architecture researchers)

All of UNT’s finding aids can be found at: http://findingaids.library.unt.edu/

Search our library catalog at: http://www.library.unt.edu/ (limit search to “Archives/Rare Books Coll” via drop-down menu)

For any reference queries related to UNT collections please email [log in to unmask]