Fulbright-British Library Eccles Institute Scholar Award in Library and Information Studies
The Fulbright-British Library Eccles Institute Award covers three months of funding for a research project in librarianship and information science at the British Library. It is open both to professionals working in libraries and academics working in a relevant discipline.
The Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania supports research and learning about these regions through the collections of the British Library, and fosters transatlantic knowledge exchange and cultural relations.
The scholar can either focus on exploring the British Library’s collections or undertake fieldwork on the British Library and other relevant institutions, or combine both approaches. It is required that the project will address an aspect of information literacy, contemporary libraries, knowledge institutions or information systems in the Americas, but comparative or transnational analyses and perspectives will be eligible.
The scholar will be given opportunities to contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the Eccles Institute and the British Library through, for instance, events, workshops and publications.
To find out more about the British Library’s collections, please visit . www.bl.uk.
Locations
Location Selection: Award is hosted by the institution listed below
Locations Detail
The Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania at the British Library: London, England, UK.
Award Length and Period
Grants may begin any time after September 1, 2026, but before April 30, 2027.
Areas of Interest
The British Library Eccles Institute Scholar Award is focused on projects relating to librarianship and information studies, and is open to academics and professionals working in an appropriate discipline.
Special Features
Scholars in the UK participate in a wide range of academic, cultural, and social events and benefit from a variety of additional opportunities provided by the Commission; see Special Award Benefits section for more details.
Award Requirements
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
An invitation letter is preferred.
Invitation Requirement Additional Information
While it is not a requirement to have an affiliation letter for this award it is strongly recommended that applicants get in touch with their proposed host department and applications that include an affiliation letter will be much more competitive.
To request a letter of invitation, contact Philip Abraham, Programmes Lead Curator of the The Eccles Institute for the Americas and Oceania at the British Library – email: philip.abraham@bl.uk.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient
Additional Qualification Information
The Fulbright Commission seeks to identify potential and established leaders of academic, artistic or professional excellence who will make significant contributions toward the discussion and development of key issues in their field of study.
Additional Comments
Candidates should have strong reasons for wishing to pursue the proposed project in the UK and a clear idea of what they wish to accomplish during their time as a Fulbright Scholar, not only academically, but also in terms of reaching out to the wider community and understanding their host country and culture.
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with the US-UK Fulbright Commission through a Zoom video call in January 2026.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Interview Requirements
Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with the US-UK Fulbright Commission through a Zoom video call in January 2026.
Contacts and Helpful Links
The British Library
US-UK Fulbright Commission
Fulbright British Library Scholar Award
Award Benefits
Award Allowances
£3,000 per month (about $3,780 as of December 2023). All grants are intended as a contribution toward travel and general expenses incurred during the grant period. Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing and may contact their host institution's accommodation or international office for assistance.
Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee
A relocation stipend of $1500 is provided.
Do you offer additional dependent benefits
Yes
Scholars accompanied by eligible dependents for the full duration of the programme may receive a one-time dependent allowance of $1800 for one dependent or $2500 for two or more dependents. This will be calculated on a pro-rata basis for any Scholars on a grant for less than 6 months.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
Special Award Benefits
Scholars are provided with a small travel allowance and accommodation to attend certain Fulbright Commission enrichment events. Scholars in the UK will have the opportunity to participate in a range of events, and benefit from a variety of additional opportunities provided by the Commission.
All Fulbright Scholar grantees must obtain a UK Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange visa to participate in the Fulbright program in the UK. The Commission sponsors the Scholar’s visa.
Scholars receive free institutional memberships with The National Trust/Royal Oak Foundation.
Scholars are asked to deliver a public lecture or other event at a location other than their host institution.
Fulbright Scholars will have membership of the UK Fulbright Alumni Network and access to Fulbrighter, a networking platform which enables grantees to connect, network, engage and collaborate with Fulbright alumni and grantees around the world
Depending on the timing of the visit, scholars may also be able to attend the annual Fulbright EU-NATO Seminar held in Belgium and Luxembourg (in February) and the annual Fulbright Seminar in Berlin (in March).
During their grant period, Fulbright Scholars in Europe have the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to support short-term (up to one week) travel to other countries in the EUR region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising or panel presentations. Though scholars may pursue invitations for short-term activities in other European countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant, Scholars may only apply for the European inter-country travel grant funds when in the UK and during their Fulbright grant period.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Program Staff
Name: Aferdita Krasniqi
Phone: +1 212-984-5326
Email: europeeurasia@iie.org
Title: Outreach & Recruitment Specialist
