Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies Research Grant

The Northwestern University Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies is one of the largest separate African studies libraries in existence. Established in 1954, its subject matter ranges from art, history, literature, music, science, technology and religion to communications, engineering, management and cookery to name a few. The library’s extensive holdings include numerous rare and archival collections as well as substantial collections of photographs, ephemera, newspapers, government documents, NGO reports, and conference papers published or distributed by various organizations on the continent of Africa.

This travel grant was established in 2021 to facilitate and support research projects that significantly benefit from substantial onsite use of the unique, special and archival collections of the Herskovits Library. The grant is available to researchers whose projects explore new lines of inquiry, interdisciplinary and multi-layered research and contribute to the deeper understanding of the diverse peoples and countries of the African continent. Projects should emphasize the need for extensive onsite use of the library's collections.

Accepting Applications

Applications are due Friday, April 17, 2026.

Funding

• Each year we will award one or more grants, up to a total of $3,000, open to all fields of study supported by the collections of the Herskovits Library of African Studies. We reserve the right to award only a portion of the requested amount.
• Grants will be awarded to reimburse expenses for transportation, accommodations, and meals for one or more on-site visits to Northwestern University Libraries.

Eligibility

• Open to academic and independent researchers. We encourage applications by those working in traditional academic practice as well as those whose research is interdisciplinary, or oriented towards creative arts and practices.
• There are no restrictions as to the applicant’s nationality or academic status.
• Research may be in any field supported by the collections of the Herskovits Library.
• At the discretion of the selection committee and Northwestern University Libraries, the grant may be awarded to an individual applicant, a team, or divided among multiple applicants and or teams. Further, if a suitable awardee is not identified among the applications received, we reserve the right to withhold the grant for that particular year.
• Applicants who are not awarded the grant in a specific year may resubmit proposals in following years without prejudice.
• An applicant may receive only one award for any one project as determined by the selection committee and Northwestern Libraries.
• Researchers affiliated with Northwestern University will not be considered for this travel grant.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A project proposal containing:

   1. Proposal title
   2. Proposal description (700 words or less)
   3. A list of collection materials that you intend to consult and their significance to the project
   4. A brief description of the specific outcomes (e.g. dissertation, article, book, creative or artistic work) to which this research will contribute (50 words or less)
   5. Acknowledgment of other funding sources

2. A curriculum vitae

3. A detailed budget indicating the total amount requested with itemized list of projected expenses for transportation, accommodations and meals. For meals and incidentals, applicants should use the U.S. General Services Administration Per Diem Rates for Meals & Incidentals (M&IE) for Chicago. Applicants should indicate any other sources of funding that will be applied to the project, if applicable. For additional information on planning a budget, see allowable expenses and out-of-town visitor resources.

Applicants should submit the research description, curriculum vitae, and budget to the application form linked.

Apply here now

Please note: The selection committee is unable to provide feedback with regard to unsuccessful applications.

Expectations

• All grant awardees will be required to submit receipts for expenses incurred and will be reimbursed, in accordance with Northwestern University policies. For meals and incidentals, we require that recipients use the U.S. General Services Administration Per Diem Rates for Meals & Incidentals (M&IE) instead of itemized receipts. Reimbursement requests must be made within 30 days of last day of visit.
• Grant awardees must conduct their research visit within the academic year following the grant being awarded (between September 1st and August 1st).
• Upon completion of the research, grant awardees will be required to submit a brief report [1-2 pages] summarizing the use of the collection(s) and how the visit benefited their research to librarygrants@northwestern.edu.
• We encourage awardees to participate in the intellectual life of the campus, attend lectures at the Program of African Studies, and interact with graduate students and faculty when possible.

Questions?

Contact librarygrants@northwestern.edu.