Gale Family Library Legacy Research Fellowships

About this program

The Minnesota Historical Society’s Gale Family Library administers the Gale Family Library Legacy Research Fellowship (program currently paused through Spring 2026), a year‑long award funded by the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that provides $3,500 to support independent scholars conducting Minnesota‑related research that relies on Gale Family Library and MNHS collections. Recipients receive payments during the fellowship and are expected to give a presentation and produce an MNopedia article or short article cataloged in the library (MNHS Press holds right of first refusal). Applicants must be Minnesota residents and independent researchers not eligible for institutional research funding; undergraduates are ineligible while graduate students may apply only if they cannot obtain support through their institution. Proposals require a project narrative (≤1,000 words), a two‑page CV, and two letters of support, and selection prioritizes demonstrated use of MNHS collections, a clear contribution to Minnesota history, feasible scope, and sound research methods.