Education, Research, and Historical Interpretation Division Fellowships

Our fellowships are usually based at the intellectual center of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library. The library advances knowledge of colonial British America, the American Revolution, the early United States, American decorative arts and folk art, and Colonial Williamsburg's Restoration and the continuing story of Colonial Williamsburg. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation also has a rich variety of material to research. As well as the library's extensive collections, Fellows will be provided a opportunity to gain access to Historic Area Interpreters, Trades men and women, and to Museum curators.

The library hosts a special manuscripts collection, a visual resources collection, CWF corporate archives and media collections. We have available over a million items including rare books from the 15th-20th centuries, original manuscripts and reproductions from the 17th-20th centuries, 18th-century American and British newspapers, microfilm records, more than 400,000 digital images, motion picture films, and educational audio and video productions.

Application Procedures

To apply please submit your proposal in a single document, submitted electronically as a PDF or Word file via email to fellowships@cwf.org.

The document should include:

• The fellowship to which you are applying
• A succinct project abstract (maximum 250 words)
• A project description (not to exceed 1,000 words)
• A Resume (C.V.) (not to exceed 2 pages)
• The names and contact information for two professional references who could provide a letter of recommendation at the request of the committee

Please indicate in your proposal whether you are a U.S. Citizen, or if you are eligible to visit the U.S. for the required amount of time. Fellows are expected to be in continuous residence at Colonial Williamsburg and to actively participate in the intellectual life of the Foundation's research, educational, and interpretive campus. This will include a presentation of the Fellow's research to staff and the public.

2020 Available Fellowships

Robert M. & Annetta J. Coffelt and Robert M. Coffelt Jr. Fellowship

The Robert M. & Annetta J. Coffelt and Robert M. Coffelt Jr. Fellowship is a one or two-month appointment, and is intended for doctoral candidates and junior scholars working on topics related to the American Revolution, Early Republic, or ideas and philosophies of America's founding fathers.

Fellowships run for up to two months totaling $2,500. Applications are due March 31st, 2020, and decisions will be announced shortly afterwards.

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – EXARC Fellowship

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation– EXARC Fellowship is intended to advance the research and scholarship of archaeological open-air museums through a partnership between EXARC, the international organization of Archaeological Open-Air Museums (AOAM) & Experimental Archaeology, and the Colonial Williamsburg, America's largest outdoor living history museum.

This fellowship will fund a one-month scholarship in residence at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Successful proposals will demonstrate potential to advance the understanding and practice of reconstructive and experimental archaeology, and its interpretation through structured experimentation to recreate material culture, technology, or life-ways of the past. Applicants need experience in open-air museums, ancient and traditional technology, experimental archaeology or interpretation that is applicable to the 18th century. This can be of American, European or other relevant origin.

Fellowships run for one month totaling $2,500. Applications are due May 31st, 2020, and decisions will be announced shortly afterwards.