The Columbia University Libraries (CUL) invites applications from scholars and researchers to a new program designed to facilitate access to Columbia’s special and unique collections.  CUL will award ten (10) grants of $2500 each on a competitive basis to researchers who can demonstrate a compelling need to consult CUL holdings for their work.  Participating Columbia libraries and collections include those located on the Morningside Heights campus: the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Butler Library, the Lehman Social Sciences Library, the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the C. V. Starr East Asian Library, and the Libraries' Area Studies Collections. 

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2012.  Award notifications will be sent to applicants by April 9, 2012 for research conducted at Columbia during the period July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013.

The program is open to all US citizens and to resident non-citizens who are legally able to work in the US.  However, preference will be given to those applicants residing outside the greater New York metropolitan area.

Applications will be accepted by e-mail only.  Applications must include the following as attachments (Word or PDF):

• Completed application form
  
• A two-page (maximum) statement of the nature of the research project and its direct relationship to specific materials in Columbia’s libraries.  It will be important to understand how holdings unique to Columbia will play a special role in accomplishing the research project.
• A brief CV (two pages maximum)
• Two letters of support from persons familiar with the applicant’s work

Applications should be sent to: libawards@libraries.cul.columbia.edu. Please note that only applications submitted via e-mail will be accepted.

Awardees will receive a lump sum payment of $2500, to be used in any way that best facilitates their use of collections at Columbia.   At the conclusion of their research, awardees are expected to produce a short report (no longer than five pages) on the nature of their work and findings while at Columbia.

Applications must be submitted no later than: January 31, 2012.  Awards will be made on or before: April 1, 2012.  Awardees will be expected to conduct their research at Columbia between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

For information on the Columbia University Libraries and its collections, please consult our website: library.columbia.edu.  For further information about the award program, see the Libraries Research Awards FAQ.