The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship offers up to $5,000 to support travel and expenses for a significant research project in the history of the life sciences. Ideal projects are advanced and broad in scope, with relevance to collections in the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archives.
This fellowship is endowed by the Francis Goelet Charitable Trust and administered by the CSHL Center for Humanities & History of Modern Biology. It provides scholars with workspace in the Carnegie Library, full access to archives, and support from archivists and historians.
Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship Benefits
- Stipend of up to $5,000 (USD) to support direct costs of completing the proposed project
- Work space in the Carnegie Library during residence at CSHL
- Complete access to CSHL collections
- Support from archivists, librarians, and historians
- Opportunity to rent accommodation on campus (if space permits)
Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Open to scholars at any career stage
- Open to journalists and writers
- Must be undertaking a substantial research project into the history of the life sciences
Required Documents
- Complete the application form with two referees’ details.
- A research proposal.
- Selected bibliography of titles or collections relevant to the research proposal.
- A brief budget statement showing the expenses for which support is requested.
- CV (curriculum vitae) including education & employment history, areas of study, dates of study, previous publications, and previous or current grants, awards, and fellowships.
How to Apply for Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship
- Complete the application form including names and contact information for two references
- Write a research proposal (max 1000 words) explaining research question, sources, and significance
- Provide a selected bibliography of titles or collections in the CSHL Library and Archives relevant to the proposal
- Include a brief budget statement showing expenses for which support is requested
- Submit a curriculum vitae with education, employment, publications, and previous fellowships
- Email all documents in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format to the provided email address with subject line ‘Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship application [Year] – [Your Name]’
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship?
The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship is a grant offered by the CSHL Center for Humanities & History of Modern Biology. It provides up to $5,000 to support travel and other expenses for a significant research project in the history of the life sciences, with relevance to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archives.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
The fellowship is open to scholars at any career stage, as well as journalists and writers who are undertaking a substantial research project into the history of the life sciences. There is no restriction on nationality or institutional affiliation.
What is the deadline for applications?
Applications must be received by August 31st each year to be considered for the upcoming Fall-Spring academic year. For the 2026-2027 cycle, the deadline is August 31, 2026.
What expenses does the fellowship cover?
The stipend can be used for any purpose relating to the research project, including travel, transportation, daily expenses, accommodations at CSHL and other archives, translating primary sources, recording and transcribing oral history interviews, and microfilming archival materials.
How is the fellowship award disbursed?
The award is disbursed in two installments: the first (2/3 of the award) upon the start of the initial research visit to the CSHL Archives, and the second (1/3 of the award) upon completion of the research and presentation at CSHL, either in person or virtually.
What is expected of fellowship recipients?
Recipients must use the funds during the academic year following notification (Sept. 1 to Aug. 31), present preliminary results to the CSHL community in a talk, present findings in professional venues, and donate a copy of the final research output to the CSHL Library and Archives.
How do I apply for the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship?
Submit a completed application form, a research proposal (max 1000 words), a selected bibliography of CSHL collections, a budget statement, and a curriculum vitae via email to the provided address. Attach documents in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format with the subject line ‘Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship application [Year] – [Your Name]’.
What are the selection criteria for the fellowship?
The Brenner Fellowship committee seeks proposals that are sophisticated, detailed, and original. Relevance of CSHL collections to the project is important, but the primary consideration is the overall quality and significance of the project.
When will recipients be notified?
The Brenner Fellowship committee will notify recipients in September of a given year. For the 2026-2027 cycle, notifications will be sent in September 2026.
Can I apply if I am still in the initial stages of my project?
If you are still at the initial stages of formulating a project, the committee recommends applying instead for one of the travel grants to visit CSHL. The fellowship is intended for advanced and broad-scope projects.
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