We are pleased to announce the launch of LSE Library’s Fellowship scheme, designed to support researchers wishing to travel to London to consult our unique archives and special collections.
This year, we are offering three grants of up to £5,000 each to support visits of up to 6 weeks (or part-time equivalent) by covering or contributing to the costs of travel, accommodation and other subsistence expenses.
We invite proposals for original research which will provide us with new perspectives on our collections, whether surfacing hidden histories in well-known collections, or drawing on collections that are not yet part of mainstream academic discourse. We are particularly interested in proposals which might form the basis for future collaborations with us especially those which have the potential to attract external funding.
These Fellowships are supported by Library endowments, including The Women's Library endowment.
We have three Fellowships available this year:
We invite proposals for research on the following themes:
We invite proposals for research on the following themes:
- history of social anthropology in the UK, especially research which explores the links between anthropologists and the colonial project
- history of social policy in the UK, especially research which explores the influence of eugenic ideas on the development of policy and ideas
Visit our collection pages and archives catalogue to learn more.
Additional benefits
In addition to a grant of up to £5,000, Fellows will receive:
- priority access to the collections, including a workspace in the special collections reading room
- LSE Library membership for the duration of the fellowship period. Library membership gives access to main collection books and journals including subscription electronic resources
- access to a named member of curatorial staff who will be responsible for liaising with the Professional Fellow throughout their Fellowship, and can provide advice and guidance on our collections and other resources relevant to your research
Our expectations
In return, Library Fellows are expected to:
- at the beginning of the Fellowship, provide us with a brief overview of their research for publication on the Library website
- at the end of the Fellowship, provide us with a report on their research and their findings, including a list of collections consulted during the Fellowship period
- during or shortly after the Fellowship period, contribute to our Learning and Engagement programme in some way. For example, by writing a blog post, recording a podcast or video, or giving a talk to an internal or external audience
- acknowledge the grant in any subsequent articles, conference papers or other publications based on the Fellowship research
Further details and how to apply
Our Fellowships are open to anyone with a proven track record of research based on archival sources, including doctoral candidates, early career researchers, independent researchers and collection professionals.
Please complete our online application form which will require you to provide the following information:
- personal details
- proposed start and finish dates
- any institutional affiliation
- research proposal (c500-750 words) which should explain what your proposed research is about, why it is important and how it meets our selection criteria. Please include information about the collections you are planning to consult at LSE Library and any expected outputs the research will contribute towards (for example articles or conference papers)
- level of funding sought, and a summary of the expected costs to be covered by the grant. For example, travel costs to, from and during your visit, and any accommodation costs or other expected subsistence costs.
As part of the application, you will be asked to upload:
- an up-to-date curriculum vitae. This should include details of your experience in using archives for research, and a list of any publications based on that research
- a letter of support from a referee (c500 words). Applicants should ask the referee to comment on the contribution the proposed research would make to scholarship, as well as the applicant’s suitability and ability to complete it.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us prior to submitting a formal application, to discuss their research proposal and the level of access to the collections their project would require. Contact us to be put in touch with a curator.
Deadline for applications is 8 September 2025.
The selection panel will be made up of three curatorial staff from the Library, assisted by the Archives and Special Collections Manager and the Learning and Engagement Manager.
Notification of the award will be made by 10 October 2025. If you haven’t heard from us by this date, you should assume you have not been successful. We regret we are unable to offer feedback on individual applications.
- the demonstrated need to consult specific items or collections at LSE Library
- the feasibility of the research objectives
- the potential of the research to make an original contribution to the existing field of scholarship. We are particularly interested in research which will provide us with new perspectives on our collections, whether surfacing hidden histories in well-known collections, or drawing on collections that are not yet part of mainstream academic discourse
- the potential for future collaborations with us. We are particularly interested in proposals which have the potential to the form the basis for an application for an externally funded grant or fellowship in partnership with us
- The grants are designed to cover the costs of visiting LSE Library for up to 6 weeks (or part-time equivalent) to consult our special collections, rather than online research or research at other institutions.
- Fellowship visits may be taken at any time between October 2025 and August 2026, subject to reading room opening hours. The special collections reading room is open from 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. It is usually closed for a week at Christmas and another week at Easter.
- Award of an LSE Library Fellowship does not constitute a contract of employment and should not be presented as such to outside parties.
- In line with LSE Library's commitment to open research principles, we encourage Fellows to make any outputs based on their fellowship research freely available for everyone to access.
- Fellows need to ensure that they are eligible to study in the UK before planning their visit. Please use the government website to check what documentation you need. We are not able to sponsor or support visa applications.
- We regret we are unable to assist Fellows with finding accommodation or booking travel.