Center for Missouri Studies Fellowships 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
If you're a scholar—academic or independent—passionate about exploring Missouri's rich history and culture, the Center for Missouri Studies Fellowships 2026 offer a unique opportunity to delve into underexplored areas of the state's past. Applications are now open for this prestigious program, which supports original research culminating in a scholarly essay and public presentation.
📌 Fellowship Summary
Location: Columbia, Missouri, USA
Host Institution: The State Historical Society of Missouri (SHSMO)
Academic Level: Postgraduate and Independent Scholars
Target Group: Academic and Independent Researchers
Fields of Study: Missouri History and Culture
Funding: $5,000 stipend
Award Duration: One calendar year (January 1 – December 31, 2026)
Application Deadline: September 2, 2025
Eligible To: Scholars worldwide with a focus on Missouri's history
📝 Fellowship Overview
The Center for Missouri Studies Fellowships aim to promote scholarship in underexplored areas of Missouri's history and culture. Each fellowship supports a project that results in a 6,000 to 8,000-word scholarly essay, exclusive of notes, on one of the selected topics for the year. Essays must reflect significant scholarship in primary sources, demonstrate familiarity with appropriate secondary sources, and include endnotes that comply with The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition. Completed essays will be considered for publication in the Missouri Historical Review, although publication is not guaranteed. Fellows will also have the opportunity to present their research publicly at a mutually agreed-upon time and place.
🎓 Fellowship Benefits
Financial Support: A stipend of $5,000 to support research and writing activities.
Publication Opportunity: Completed essays will be considered for publication in the Missouri Historical Review.
Public Engagement: Opportunity to present research findings to the public.
Professional Development: Enhance your scholarly profile through research, writing, and public presentation.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Open to both academic and independent scholars.
Proposals must focus on one of the designated topics for the fellowship year.
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to conduct significant scholarly research and produce a publishable essay.
No specific educational qualifications are mandated, but a strong background in historical research is expected.
🗂️ Application Procedure
Application Components:
Proposal/Application (Maximum 2 pages):
Applicant's name and any institutional affiliation.
Title of the proposed project.
Brief description of the project (250 words or fewer).
List of main primary and secondary sources to be used.
Proposed timeline for completing the project.
Curriculum Vitae (Maximum 2 pages):
Provide evidence of the applicant's ability to complete the project.
Submission Methods:
Email: Send applications to contact@shsmo.org with "The Center Fellowship" in the subject line.
Mail: Applications can be mailed to:The State Historical Society of Missouri605 Elm StreetColumbia, MO 65201
Online: Complete the application form linked here
ℹ️ Important Dates:
Application Deadline: September 2, 2025
Award Announcement: December 15, 2025
Fellowship Start Date: January 1, 2026
🔗 For more information and to access the application form, please visit the official SHSMO website: https://shsmo.org/awards/center-fellowship.
