1776 Fellowships in Enlightenment Studies
1776 Fellowships in Enlightenment Studies support scholars’ research and writing through residencies in Philadelphia and Oxford to explore Enlightenment ideas, their circulation, and use.
Funder: American Philosophical Society
Due Dates: March 1, 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 plus £4,000 per fellow for up to two months; two fellowships
Summary: Supports research and writing on the Enlightenment through residencies in Philadelphia and Oxford.
Key Information: Fellows must divide their time equally between the APS Library and the Voltaire Foundation.
Description
The American Philosophical Society (APS) and the Voltaire Foundation at the University of Oxford co-sponsor these fellowships for scholars working on the Enlightenment, broadly defined. Inspired by a collaboration begun in 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the program particularly welcomes projects exploring Enlightenment ideas, their circulation, and how they were put into action.
Fellows may conduct original research, write, or combine both activities. The residencies connect scholars with the APS Library’s extensive manuscript and book collections, including holdings on the history of science and the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, and with Oxford’s libraries and facilities. Fellows join research communities at both institutions, with opportunities to present their work and attend scholarly events.
