John F. Kennedy Library Research Fellowships

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the nonprofit organization that supports the federal John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, offers research fellowships and grants every year to support scholars who need to use the archival holdings of the JFK Library.

Factors to keep in mind when applying for our research fellowships: 

• Candidates may apply for only one fellowship in a given year.
• The review committee will assess each application with the most relevant fellowship opportunity in mind.
• Only complete applications will be considered; those received after the deadline will be considered for the next funding cycle.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact an archivist at the JFK Library for information about relevant archival holdings before applying.

Marjorie Kovler Research Fellowship

• The Marjorie Kovler Research Fellowship is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from funds provided by the Marjorie Blum Kovler Foundation.
• Stipend Amount: up to $5,000.
• Research Focus: Foreign intelligence and the Presidency (or a related topic), with at least a portion of the project utilizing materials from the JFK Library archives.
• Application Deadline: September 30
• Award Announcement: December 1

Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. Research Fellowship

• The Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Fellowship is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from income provided by the Schlesinger Fund.
• Stipend Amount: up to $5,000 that can be split among recipients.
• Research Focus: Foreign policy of the Kennedy administration (especially in the Western Hemisphere); domestic policy of the Kennedy administration (especially with regard to racial justice or natural resources conservation). At least a portion of the project should utilize materials from the JFK Library archives.
• Application Deadline: September 30
• Award Announcement: December 1

Abba P. Schwartz Research Fellowship 

• The Abba Schwartz fellowship is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from funds provided by the family, friends, and colleagues of Abba Schwartz, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Security and Consular Affairs in the Kennedy administration.
• Stipend Amount: up to $3,100.
• Research Focus: Immigration, naturalization, or refugee policy, with at least a portion of the project utilizing materials from the JFK Library archives.
• Application Deadline: September 30
• Award Announcement: December 1

Theodore C. Sorensen Research Fellowship

• The Theodore Sorensen Research Fellowship is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from funds provided from funds provided by Mr. Sorensen, who was speechwriter and Special Counsel to John F. Kennedy throughout Kennedy’s Senate and Presidential years.
• Stipend Amount: up to $3,600.
• Research Focus: Domestic policy, political journalism, polling, press relations, or a related topic. At least a portion of the project should utilize materials from the JFK Library archives.
• Application Deadline: September 30
• Award Announcement: December 1

Ernest Hemingway Research Grants  

• The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation provides funds to scholars and students interested in researching the Ernest Hemingway Collection.
• Stipend Amount: up to $5,000.
• Research Focus: Grant applications are evaluated on the basis of expected utilization of the Collection, the proposed project's contributions to Hemingway and/or related studies, and the applicant's qualifications.
• Application Deadline: November 1
• Award Announcement: January