Apply for the George Washington Presidential Library Research Fellowships 2027 - 2028 - funded residential research awards at the George Washington Presidential Library on the Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, roughly 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. Spend 1, 3, or 6 months working with collections on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Applications close 31 December 2026.
The library supports scholars, students, and professionals studying George Washington, colonial America, and the Revolutionary and founding eras. Fellows receive a stipend, on-campus housing, and travel support. The programme is open to U.S. citizens and international applicants.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official Mount Vernon fellowship call. It covers stipends, eligibility, what to submit, and how to prepare before you apply.
Quick Facts - GWPL Research Fellowships 2027 - 2028
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | George Washington Presidential Library Research Fellowships 2027 - 2028 |
| Host | George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA |
| Organisation | George Washington's Mount Vernon |
| Duration options | 1, 3, or 6 months (residential fellowship term) |
| Stipends | $3,000 (1 month) · $10,000 (3 months) · $20,000 (6 months) |
| Housing | On-campus housing for the fellowship duration |
| Travel | Round-trip airfare or mileage reimbursement (up to $1,000) |
| Collections focus | Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century materials; early American period |
| Opens | 20 July 2026 |
| Deadline | 31 December 2026 |
| Official page | mountvernon.org - Fellows Program |
| Apply | Official application portal |
Why Apply to the Washington Library?
The George Washington Presidential Library is a dedicated research centre for the colonial, Revolutionary, and early republic periods. Fellows work on site at Mount Vernon with access to library collections, expert staff, and a community of historians and preservation professionals. Before applying, Mount Vernon strongly encourages browsing the library catalogs to confirm specific materials that will support your project.
This is a strong fit if your dissertation, book, exhibition, or public-history project needs primary sources on Washington, his world, or the broader early American Atlantic.
Fellowship Package
- Stipend: $3,000 (one month), $10,000 (three months), or $20,000 (six months)
- Housing on the Library campus for the full fellowship term
- Travel: one round-trip to Mount Vernon (airfare or mileage, up to $1,000)
- Research access to GWPL collections and scholarly environment at a major historic site
Who Can Apply
Funded research opportunities are available to people working on the early American period, including:
- Academics and university faculty
- Public historians
- Independent scholars
- Museum curators
- Material culture and decorative arts professionals
- Historic preservationists
- Graduate students
The programme is open to U.S. citizens and international applicants. Competitive proposals usually show a clear link between your project and the library's holdings or research strengths.
How to Apply
- Review fellowship details on the official Fellows Program page.
- Search the Washington Library catalogs for materials relevant to your project.
- Draft a research proposal (max six double-spaced pages) describing your project, what you will work on during the term, and expected outcomes.
- Prepare your CV or résumé and arrange two letters of recommendation.
- Submit through the official application portal before 31 December 2026.
Required Documents
- Research proposal (max six double-spaced pages) - project description and expected outcomes
- CV or résumé
- Two letters of recommendation
Official Links
Apply - GWPL Research Fellowship 2027 - 2028
Fellows Program - Mount Vernon
George Washington Presidential Library
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FAQs - GWPL Research Fellowships 2027 - 2028
Where is the fellowship based?
At the George Washington Presidential Library on the Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, about 15 miles south of Washington, D.C.
How long can I stay?
You apply for a 1-, 3-, or 6-month residential term. Stipend amounts match the length you choose.
Is housing included?
Yes - fellows receive housing on the Library campus for the duration of the award.
Can international scholars apply?
Yes. The call is open to U.S. citizens and international applicants.
When is the deadline?
31 December 2026.
What should my proposal include?
Describe the project you will pursue during the fellowship, how library collections support it, and what you expect to produce by the end of the term - within six double-spaced pages.
