Announcement: 2014-2015 Lemelson Center Fellowships and Travel Grants

From: Hintz, Eric [[email protected]]

Research Opportunities at the Smithsonian's Lemelson Center
Application Deadline: January 15, 2014

The Lemelson Center Fellowship and Travel Award programs support projects t=
hat present creative approaches to the study of invention and innovation in=
 American society. These include, but are not limited to, historical resear=
ch and documentation projects resulting in dissertations, theses, publicati=
ons, exhibitions, educational initiatives, documentary films, or other mult=
imedia products.

The programs provide access to the expertise of the Institution's research =
staff and the vast invention and technology collections of the National Mus=
eum of American History (NMAH).  The NMAH Archives Center documents both in=
dividuals and firms across a range of time periods and subject areas.  Repr=
esentative collections include the Western Union Telegraph Company Records,=
 ca. 1840-1994 and the Earl S. Tupper Papers, documenting Tupper, and his i=
nvention, Tupperware.  In addition, the NMAH Library offers long runs of hi=
storical technology serials like Scientific American and American Machinist=
, while the American Trade Literature collection features 300,000 catalogs,=
 technical manuals, and advertising brochures for some 30,000 firms, primar=
ily from 1880-1945.  For a comprehensive catalog of objects, manuscripts, i=
mages and research materials available at the NMAH (and other Smithsonian u=
nits), see http://www.collections.si.edu/.

The Lemelson Center invites applications covering a broad spectrum of resea=
rch topics that resonate with its mission to foster a greater understanding=
 of invention and innovation, broadly defined.  However, the Center especia=
lly encourages project proposals that will illuminate the role of women inv=
entors; inventors with disabilities; inventors from diverse backgrounds; or=
 any inventions and technologies associated with groups that are traditiona=
lly under-represented in the historical record.  Pertinent NMAH collections=
 include the papers of Victor L. Ochoa, a Mexican-American aeronautical inv=
entor; the papers of Dr. Patricia Bath, an African-American inventor of a p=
atented cataracts treatment; the Safko International papers, documenting as=
sistive technologies built for the physically disabled; and the HIV/AIDS an=
d LGBT Reference Collections, which document innovative public health progr=
ams and associated technologies.

The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program annually awards 2 to 3 fellowships t=
o pre-doctoral graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and other profess=
ionals who have completed advanced training.  Fellows are expected to resid=
e in the Washington, D.C. area, to participate in the Center's activities, =
and to make a presentation of their work to colleagues at the museum.  Fell=
owship tenure is based upon the applicants' stated needs (and available fun=
ding) up to a maximum of ten weeks.  Stipends for 2014-2015 will be $575/we=
ek for pre-doctoral fellows and $870/week for post-doctoral and professiona=
l fellows.  Applications are due 15 January 2014.  For application procedur=
es and additional information, see http://invention.smithsonian.org/resourc=
es/research_fellowships.aspx.  Researchers are encouraged to consult with t=
he fellowship coordinator prior to submitting a proposal - please contact h=
istorian Eric S. Hintz, Ph.D. at +1 202-633-3734 or [email protected]<mailto:hi=
[email protected]>.

The Lemelson Center Travel to Collections Award Program annually awards 2 t=
o 3 short-term travel grants to encourage the use of its invention-related =
collections.  Awards are $150 per day for a maximum of 10 business days and=
 may be used to cover transportation, living, and reproduction expenses; th=
ey are intended only for applicants who reside or attend school beyond comm=
uting distance of the NMAH.  Applications are due 15 January 2014.  For app=
lication procedures and additional information, see http://invention.smiths=
onian.org/resources/research_travel.aspx.  Researchers are encouraged to co=
nsult with the travel award coordinator prior to submitting a proposal - pl=
ease contact archivist Alison Oswald at +1 202-633-3726 or [email protected]<m=
ailto:[email protected]>.


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