Bodleian Visiting Fellowships in Special Collections
Applications now open for 2025–26
African Studies Visiting Fellowship
Ann Ball Bodley Visiting Fellowship in Women’s History
Albi Rosenthal Visiting Fellowship in Music
Bahari Visiting Fellowship in the Persian Arts of the Book
Byrne-Bussey Marconi Visiting Fellowship in the History of Science, Technology and Communication
Carr-Thomas-Ovenden Visiting Fellowship in English Literature
David Walker Memorial Visiting Fellowship in Early Modern History
Humfrey Wanley Visiting Fellowship
Peter Selley Visiting Fellowship for Members of the Book Trades
Queen Jadwiga Visiting Fellowship in Polish Studies
Richard Sharpe Visiting Memorial Fellowship
Sassoon Visiting Fellowship
Sassoon Visiting Fellowship in South Asian and Black History
Eligibility and selection criteria
you must have submitted your thesis before the deadline for Visiting Fellowships applications
you must have been awarded the doctorate before taking up the fellowship
the demonstrated need to consult specific items or collections within the Bodleian Libraries' special collections;
the potential of the candidate to contribute to the research culture of the libraries and the University, and especially the potential for future research collaboration with the Bodleian Libraries; and
the benefits of the award within the invited fellow’s research career.
Terms of the fellowship awards
How to apply
the application form completed online.
Your curriculum vitae, no more than 3 pages.
The project description, not to exceed 1,200 words, to include:
The significance of the research project in your field of study or activity.
A detailed explanation of how research in Bodleian Special Collections will advance the project.
An indication of intended outputs, such as publication, exhibition or another publicly accessible form.
A statement of plans for engagement with the research community in Oxford and beyond. If you have no specific plans for seminar or conference presentations, please include a sentence confirming that you are willing to present your research materials and methods to a local academic audience, if invited.
A detailed list of the specific Bodleian Libraries materials to be consulted. (This is not included in the word count).
Two letters of recommendation: these must be tailored to your individual application for a funded research visit to the Bodleian Libraries. Recommendations may be emailed directly from the referees to the Bodleian Libraries at fellowships@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. In all cases the applicant’s name must be in the subject line.