Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) Summer Fellowship

The Summer Short-term Fellowship will be paused for 2026.

Through an international competition, the Black Metropolis Research Consortium offers one-month residential fellowships in the City of Chicago for its Summer Short-term Fellowship Program. Since 2009, the Program has engaged scholars, artists, writers, and public historians to formulate new historical narratives of the Black experience. The new, original research, music, and art developed through this program are significant as they illuminate the national and international importance of Chicago’s African American community to the broader history of Black America.

The purpose of the Summer Short-term Research Fellowship is:

• To create research opportunities for scholars and artists to conduct primary research in Chicago/Illinois-based BMRC archival repositories;
• To generate new knowledge in the field of African American history;
• To engage the local Chicago community in the history of the city.

Eligibility

The Black Metropolis Research Consortium (BMRC) invites applications for the 2025 Summer Short-term Fellowship Program. Scholars, researchers, and artists are eligible for the Fellowship based on their research interests and need for access to Black collections within BMRC Member Institutions.

• While submissions from applicants outside of metropolitan Chicago will be given priority, all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Citizens or permanent residents from any country. Note: Applicants from countries outside the United States must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain a J-1 visa even if they are currently in the United States.
• English language proficiency.

Funding

• Awardees whose primary residence is in the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $2,500 stipend to fund a one-month fellowship
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the Chicago-Metro area will receive a $4,000 stipend to fund a one-month fellowship.
• Awardees whose primary residence is outside of the USA will receive a $5,000 stipend to fund a one-month fellowship.