MDAH is accepting applications for the 2025 Eudora Welty Research Fellowship. Offered in partnership with the Eudora Welty Foundation, this annual fellowship awards a $5,000 stipend to one graduate student to conduct research using the Eudora Welty Collection at MDAH for two weeks during the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship?
Offered in partnership by the Eudora Welty Foundation and the Mississippi Department of Archives (MDAH) the Eudora Welty Research Fellowship supports scholarly research using the Eudora Welty Collection and related materials at MDAH. The fellowship seeks to nurture graduate students at the beginning of their academic careers to increase their interest in and promote continued appreciation of Eudora Welty’s life and works.
- Who is eligible?
The fellowship recipient must be a student enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program at an accredited college or university.
- What does the fellowship include?
The fellowship recipient will receive:
- A $5,000 stipend
- 50 photocopies and 7 high-resolution scans of archival materials gratis
- A guided tour of the Eudora Welty House and Gardens
- Entry to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Museum of Mississippi History (2MM)
The fellow is expected to:- Conduct research in the Eudora Welty Collection at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building in Jackson, MS.
- Conduct research during May to September 2025 for a minimum of two weeks.
- Give a presentation on research findings at the conclusion of the stay.
- Submit a summary report on research findings.
- Which costs are eligible to use with the $5,000 stipend?
- Travel
- Accommodations
- Food
- Additional photocopies and scans of archival materials
- Other expenses during the recipient’s time researching at the archives
- Which costs are ineligible to use with the stipend?
- Computer equipment (hardware or software)
- Childcare
- Photo framing/matting
- How will the stipend be disbursed?
The stipend will be paid in two increments. The first payment will be given at the start of the fellow’s stay with the final payment given upon submission of the summary report.
- How do I apply?
Complete the online application here and include the following materials:
- Proposal (no more than five pages, typed, double-spaced)
- Curriculum Vitae
- A Letter of Recommendation must be emailed from your academic advisor to fellowships@mdah.ms.gov for your application to be considered
- Optional supporting materials (no more than 20 pages)
A downloadable PDF application is also available and may be submitted via email to fellowships@mdah.ms.gov.
- When is the deadline to apply?
March 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST.
- What should be included in my proposal?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Eudora Welty Collection. See selection criteria for more information.
- Describe the proposed research topic
- Explain the research methodology, including a brief description of preliminary research and a selected bibliography
- Use of MDAH holdings indicated by collection title, series number, and series title
- Intended research product(s) (examples include: a paper, thesis, dissertation, article, book, lecture, exhibit, broadcast, and/or website)
- Anticipated schedule (minimum two weeks during May to September 2025)
- Estimated expenses (travel, housing, other expenses)
- How do I use MDAH’s catalog to search the Eudora Welty Collection?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Eudora Welty Collection by visiting the catalog record and collection finding aid.
Click here for a guide on how use the collection finding aid.
Select materials in the Eudora Welty Collection may be browsed in the Eudora Welty Digital Archives. However, applicants should note that not all the materials in the Eudora Welty Collection have been digitized and should be considered a sampling of the collection.
- When will the fellowship recipient be notified?
The recipient will be notified by April 4, 2025.
- What are the selection criteria?
A recipient is selected based on the following criteria:
Scholastic contribution:
- What contributions will this proposed study make to the scholarly assessment of Welty’s life and work?
- What is the potential of this applicant to contribute to a new and valid understanding of Welty’s life and works?
- How will the product promote or encourage future study of Welty’s life and works?
- How will the product promote public appreciation of Welty’s life and works?
Proposed research topic, methodology, use of MDAH holdings, and research product(s):
- How will this research draw on the primary resources at MDAH? How appropriate are MDAH holdings to this research? What specific materials from the collection will be used?
- How sound is the research methodology?
- How innovative is the proposed research?
- What is the overall quality and clarity of the proposal?
- Is the product appropriate to the research topic?
Anticipated schedule: Is the schedule reasonable and does it include adequate research time on-site during the two-week minimum stay?
Estimated expenses (travel, housing, and other): Are expenses reasonable and in accordance with the guidelines presented?
Curriculum vitae and Letter of recommendation from academic advisor.
- Will MDAH and/or organizations use the research findings?
The Welty Foundation and MDAH may have the opportunity to utilize the product(s) if they are deemed appropriate and of benefit to the sponsoring parties.
- Who do I contact for more information?
For additional information and questions about the Eudora Welty Fellowship, email fellowships@mdah.ms.gov or call 601-576-6868.