[SIGCIS-Members] Research Fellowships from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center (apps due 15 Oct 2024)

Fri Sep 6 08:46:01 PDT 2024

**Hi SIGCIS– Check out the Lemelson Center’s call for fellowship applications, due October 15, 2024. Over the years we’ve had several SIGCIS members join us at research fellows and NMAH has great collections in the history of computing such as the Ralph Baer papers<https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAH.AC.0854>, the Grace Murray Hopper collection<https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAH.AC.0324>, the Computer Oral History Collection<https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAH.AC.0196>, and many other gems.  Best, Eric Hintz and Alison Oswald

Research Fellowships from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center (apps due 15 Oct 2024)

Through its fellowship programs, the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation<https://invention.si.edu/> supports research projects that present creative approaches to the study of invention and innovation in American society. Projects may include (but are not limited to) historical research and documentation projects resulting in publications, exhibitions, educational initiatives, documentary films, or other multimedia products.

Collections: Our programs provide access to the expertise of the Institution's research staff<http://americanhistory.si.edu/about/staff> and the vast invention and technology collections of the National Museum of American History (NMAH). The NMAH Archives Center<http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/collections> holds the archival papers of several inventors including Earl Tupper (Tupperware), Joseph Friedman (flexible straw), Robert Kearns (intermittent windshield wiper), Leo Baekeland (Bakelite synthetic plastic), Marion O’Brien Donovan (household inventions), Jacob Rabinow (optical character recognition), Grace Murray Hopper (software), Ralph Baer (video games), Patricia Bath (cataracts treatments), InBae Yoon (laparoscopic surgery), and Van Phillips (prosthetic limbs).  The museum also holds the technical artifacts and business records of several corporations and small entrepreneurial firms, including the Western Union Telegraph Company (telecommunications), the Mergenthaler Linotype Company (printing), Jogbra, Inc. (sports apparel), and Small Beginnings (neonatal care). In addition, the NMAH Library offers long runs of historical technology serials like Scientific American and American Machinist, and the American Trade Literature collection<http://library.si.edu/trade-literature>, which includes 300,000 catalogs, technical manuals, and advertising brochures for some 30,000 firms, primarily from 1880-1945. For a comprehensive catalog of objects, manuscripts, images, and research materials available at the NMAH (and other Smithsonian units), see http://www.collections.si.edu/.

Topics: The Lemelson Center invites all applications covering the broad spectrum of research topics in the history of technology, invention, and innovation. However, the Center especially encourages proposals that align with one (or more) of its strategic research and programmatic areas, including 1) projects that illuminate inventors from diverse backgrounds or any inventions and technologies associated with under-represented groups, such as women, minorities, LGBTQ, and the disabled; (2) projects exploring innovation in sports and sports technology; or (3) projects that explore the broader ecosystem of individuals and institutions that support inventors, including inventors' professional organizations; angel investors, venture capitalists, and financiers; incubators and entrepreneurial coaches; patent agents and IP attorneys; product designers, manufacturers, and marketers; and bankruptcy-liquidation specialists.

The Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship supports the work of an experienced author or senior scholar (associate/full/emeritus professor level or equivalent) from the history of technology, science and technology studies, business history, museum studies, STEAM education, or an allied field. The specific arrangement is flexible: the Molella Fellow may use the funds as a sabbatical supplement; for several short-duration visits; for a virtual appointment focused on research and writing; or for a series of lectures leading to a major publication. The stipend is $35,000. Funds may be used flexibly to support teaching buyouts, travel for several short-term visits, living expenses for longer residences up to six months, and related research expenses. Dates are flexible. Applications are due 15 October 2024. For application procedures and additional information, see http://invention.si.edu/arthur-molella-distinguished-fellowship.

The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program annually awards 2 to 3 fellowships to pre-doctoral graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and other professionals who have completed some advanced training. Fellows are expected to reside temporarily in the Washington, D.C. area and participate in the Center's activities. Fellowship tenure is based upon the applicants’ stated needs (and available funding), from two to ten weeks. Stipends will be $850/week for pre-doctoral fellows and $1,100/week for post-doctoral and professional fellows. Applications are due 15 October 2024. For application procedures and additional information, see http://invention.si.edu/lemelson-center-fellowship-program.

**The Lemelson Center has suspended its Short-Term Travel Grants for 2025-2026. For updates, please check http://invention.si.edu/lemelson-center-travel-collections-awards.

Program Alumni: Click the links to see project descriptions for past and current fellows<https://invention.si.edu/lemelson-center-fellows-1996-present> and travel grantees<https://invention.si.edu/lemelson-center-travel-collections-awards-recipients-1999-present>!

Contact: Applicants may wish to consult with the fellowship coordinator before submitting an application; contact archivist Alison Oswald at oswalda at si.edu<mailto:oswalda at si.edu>.

_________________________________________________________________
Eric S. Hintz, PhD (he/him), Historian/Acting Director, Lemelson Center
Office +1 202-633-3734 | Mobile +1 610-717-7134 |@EricSHintz
hintze at si.edu<mailto:hintze at si.edu> | americanhistory.si.edu<http://www.americanhistory.si.edu/> | invention.si.edu<http://www.invention.si.edu/>

Now Open! Change YOUR Game / Cambia TU Juego<https://invention.si.edu/change-your-game>
Author, American Independent Inventors in an Era of Corporate R&D<https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/american-independent-inventors-era-corporate-rd> (2021)

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