Fellowship FAQs | The Huntington

Fellowship FAQs | The Huntington

How to Apply

What is required to apply for a fellowship?

A project description, CV, and letter(s) of recommendation. As of 2021, we follow ACLS guidelines to collect data about our applicant pool. See fellowships for requirements.

If I begin an application for a long-term fellowship, how can I change it to a short-term fellowship, or vice versa?

Unfortunately, there is no way to change application types in our system; you must begin a new application.

Whom should I ask to supply my letters of recommendation?

You may ask any scholar who can attest to the significance of the proposed work and to your ability to realize the project. Letters should speak specifically to the project that you are proposing, rather than to your overall work and track record.

We do not accept letters from your job dossier or from Interfolio Scholar Services. Letters of recommendation must be tailored to your individual application and speak to the relevance of The Huntington’s collections and why they are crucial to your project. 

How should my recommenders submit their letters?

Your recommenders will be contacted by email with instructions on how to upload their letters using the online fellowship application site. You will be notified by email when each letter has been submitted on your behalf.

May I submit my application before all application materials are submitted?

Yes. Once you have completed all your sections of the application: cover letter, project proposal, CV, and sending requests to recommenders, your application may be submitted. All sections, except letters of recommendation, must be completed to submit. However, an application is NOT considered complete until the letters of recommendation are submitted. Please ensure your recommenders submit their letters in a timely manner.

I can’t click the SUBMIT button. Why?

You must complete each section of the application. Click the “MARK AS COMPLETE” button for each section. You will see a green checkmark appear next to the section heading. Once all four sections are complete, the SUBMIT button will turn green and allow you to submit your application. 

I found a mistake in my application; how do I fix it? 

At the top of each section, there is a “…” dropdown in the upper right. Click this to edit or reset the form. You can only make changes prior to submitting your application. Once you have hit the SUBMIT button, you are unable to make changes. Please review each section of your application before submitting. 

What happens if my recommenders do not submit their letters by the deadline?

While you will be able to submit your application before letters of recommendation are received, the application is not considered complete without them. Please ask that your recommenders upload letters of recommendation prior to the application deadline.

You will be notified by email when each letter has been submitted on your behalf. It is important that you tell your recommenders to submit as soon as possible. 

May I apply by email or regular mail? May my recommenders email or mail their letters?

No. All applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted using the online fellowship application site. 

What if I have problems with the fellowship application site?

Please contact Krystle Satrum (ksatrum@huntington.org) for assistance.

Independent Scholars and Creative Researchers FAQs

How will applications by creative researchers be evaluated?

The peer review committee will primarily evaluate your application based on strength of concept; clarity of project outcome (e.g., novel, exhibition), and demonstrated or projected ability to complete said output; and affinity with—as well as clearly stated need for—specific Huntington collections. You should focus on these criteria in your application, rather than “pitching” your project in an in-depth manner, as you might to a committee of peers in your field, to a publisher, or to a gallery.

How is a Huntington short-term fellowship different from a creative residency?

Whereas a traditional artistic residency provides time, space, and resources to focus on your practice, a Huntington short-term fellowship is about completing targeted archival research that will feed into your creative output at a later stage. For this reason, your application should state clearly both what you will ultimately create, and why researching in the Huntington collections will be essential preparation for that creation.

Do I need to have a book contract or committed venue to propose a creative fellowship to research a book for the general public (fiction, poetry, biography, non-fiction) or performance (play, opera, music, dance)?

You do not need to have a contract or commitment in hand related to the final output of your research. However, demonstration of previous publications, performances, or exhibitions does provide evidence of your ability to bring your current project to completion, and should be highlighted in the CV and/or project description.

Do I need to have cleared necessary rights and permissions if the material proposed to consult is copyright-protected?

You are not required to clear rights and permissions before applying.

If I apply for a fellowship to research an exhibition or prepare a theatrical or musical performance, does that include a commitment from The Huntington to produce the performance or host the exhibition?

No. The Huntington does not have the capacity to host performances or exhibitions by Short-Term Fellows. A short-term fellowship is aimed at, and limited to, providing the researcher access to the relevant and available collections. Public programs or exhibitions are organized separately outside of the fellowship program and led by institutional staff in charge of those programs.

Does The Huntington have studio space for artists to create new works inspired by their fellowship research?

There are no artist studio spaces on site. As the fellowship is designed for preparatory archival research, fellows are mostly engaged in research and study in the reading rooms, accessing rare archival materials. Artists have the opportunity to take preliminary photographs and reference collections objects that can be used in their studio practice. If an artist desires to request imaging of certain archival materials, these are available for a fee. Some objects might have restrictions around copyright and reproduction. On their own, artists may pursue partnerships with other organizations and studio spaces locally to access specific equipment.

How do I request high-resolution images of archival items or collection items?

For library materials, please see the Imaging Services guide. For Art collections, contact the curator of record for the collection. Some items/images will have restrictions and require approval or new imaging, so it’s best to inquire about rights and restrictions well ahead of any deadlines.