The Kluge Center encourages humanistic and social science research that makes use of the Library’s large and varied collections. Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural research is particularly welcome in the Kluge Fellowship program. The fellowship is open to scholars in the humanities, social sciences, and professional fields such as architecture or law.
Among the collections available to researchers are the world’s largest law library and outstanding multi-lingual collections of books and periodicals. Deep special collections of manuscripts, maps, music, films, recorded sound, prints, and photographs are also available. In-residence scholars have access to the Library’s specialized staff and to the intellectual community of Washington. Further information about the Library’s collections can be found on the Library’s website: https://www.loc.gov/research-centers/.
Established in 2000 through an endowment of $60 million from John W. Kluge, the Kluge Center is located in the splendid Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. The Center furnishes attractive work and discussion space for Fellowship holders, Kluge Chairs, other distinguished visiting scholars, and post-doctoral and doctoral fellows supported by other grants and foundation gifts.
Application and Selection
Twelve Kluge Fellowships are awarded each year through a competitive selection process. Kluge Fellowships are offered for a period of four to eleven months.
Since the inception of the Kluge Center, dozens of Kluge Fellows have gone on to distinguished academic careers; many have made lasting contributions as public intellectuals. Scholars who have received a terminal advanced degree within the past seven years in the humanities, social sciences, or in a professional field such as architecture or law are eligible.* The Kluge Center defines terminal advanced degree as the highest degree available in a discipline. In many disciplines, the terminal degree is a doctoral degree (PhD, JD, etc., or their international equivalents). Applicants must have received their terminal degree by the time of application submission. Applicants may be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. Upon selection, and in accordance with relevant visa regulations, foreign nationals will be assisted in obtaining the appropriate visa. Please note that individuals with H-1B visas are not eligible for Library opportunities, and all other visa types will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
* Exceptions to the requirement that applicants be within seven years of receipt of their advanced terminal degree can be considered for individuals who had breaks in their academic careers due to treatment of medical conditions or unforeseen extraordinary circumstances, such as displacement due to conflicts or natural disasters. Requests for exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Tenure & Stipend
Fellowships are tenable for periods from four to eleven months at a stipend of $5,000 per month for residential research at the Library of Congress. The Kluge Center reserves the right to offer fewer months than originally requested. Fellows may be given residence at any time during the 18-month window after the fellowship letter is received. Stipends will be paid monthly by the Library of Congress by means of electronic transfer to a U.S. bank account.
Applications are anticipated to open in Spring of 2027. Please check here for any official updates.