Othmer Library Travel Grants

About this program

The Science History Institute offers a suite of fellowships (curatorial, postdoctoral, dissertation, short-term, and distinguished) and Library Travel Grants to support research, writing, and curatorial work using its collections, with stipends ranging from $3,500/month for short-term fellowships to a $55,000/year curatorial salary and $1,250/week travel grants. Library Travel Grants fund visits of up to two weeks and require applicants to reside more than 75 miles (120 km) from Philadelphia; travel grant applications are accepted year-round while fellowship applications reopen in the fall. Fellowship eligibility varies by program: curatorial roles target applicants with advanced degrees pursuing museum/library careers, postdoctoral fellowships require a PhD (or defense by July 2026), dissertation fellowships require an accepted PhD proposal, short-term fellowships are open to scholars at any career stage, and distinguished fellowships are for established senior scholars. Short-term and distinguished fellows may also opt to be considered for an affiliated American Trust for the British Library award that adds a $2,500 stipend for related research in London.