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Presbyterian Historical Society
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The society invites applications for research fellowships.

The PHS Research Fellowship program is designed to encourage faculty, independent researchers, and students to use and publish from the society's rich holdings. The program awards research and travel grants of $2,500. The application deadline for 2026 fellowships is March 2, 2026. Awards will be announced on or before April 6.

2025 Presbyterian Historical Society Research Fellows

Congratulations to the 2025 Research Fellows!

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Portrait of Amber Clifford

Amber Clifford-Napoleone, Professor of Anthropology and Director, McClure Archives and University Museum, University of Central Missouri

Project Title: Haymaker and the Ki'che: A Reparative Study

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Adam Hogan

Adam T. Hogan, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Texas Tech University

Project Title: Witness to God's Creation: Cold War Religion, the Leisure Revolution, and A Christian Ministry in the National Parks

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Sun Yong Lee

Sun Yong Lee, Junior Fellow, Kyujanggak International Center for Korean Studies at Seoul National University

Project Title: Kingdoms in Conflict: The 1941 Women's World Day of Prayer Case in Japanese-ruled Korea

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Portrait of Euince M'biya

Euince M'biya, PhD Candidate, West Virginia University

Project Title: British Imperialism, Presbyterian Mission Work and the Development of Malawi's Political Culture: 1870s to the 1970s

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Portrait of Jenny McGill

Jenny McGill, Adjunct faculty member and independent researcher, Indiana Wesleyan University

Project Title: Black American Female Presbyterian Missionaries to the Congo, 1890-1935

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Portrait of Yun-Ching (Victoria) Shen

Yun-Ching (Victoria) Shen, PhD Candidate, Emory University

Project Title: Transpacific Taiwanese Female Christians' Political Activism from 1970 to 2000

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Portrait of Hong Zhang

Hong Zhang, Professor of East Asian Studies, Colby College

Project Title: Presbyterian Medical and Educational Missions in China, 1840-1950

Narrative application. Download the PDF application questions and formatting instructions here. (This is a PDF. Install Adobe Reader (free) at https://get.adobe.com/reader/.) You will be asked to upload this document on the application webform.

Brief curriculum vitae. We request that the vitae not exceed two pages and must list all earned degrees, date received (or expected), institution, and field of study as well as any major publications. You will be asked to upload your CV on the application webform.

Letters of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required. If you are a graduate student, one of the letters should be from your dissertation/thesis supervisor. Letters should be tailored to your specific project and written by individuals who are familiar with your research topic and/or your ability to produce a complete and high-quality research product. Please ask your references to send their letters directly to Natalie Shilstut, Director of Programs and Services, nshilstut@history.pcusa.org. You will be asked to provide the full name and email address for each reference on the application webform.

Apply Now

Open to faculty, students, and independent scholars and researchers.

Open to all fields of study, including history, American studies, mission history, architecture, and ecumenism.

Place of residence must be farther than seventy-five (75) miles from Philadelphia.

Applicants of underrepresented backgrounds and voices and those focusing on lesser-known and underrepresented topics are especially encouraged to apply.

Adherence to application instructions and requirements (see Application instructions tab).

Strong correlation between the proposed topic and the Presbyterian Historical Society’s collections.

Demonstrated need to work with the society’s collections for a minimum of one week and maximum of one month.

Clearly defined topic with evidence of sound research intentions and practices (scope, methodology, and argument).

Demonstrated knowledge of the subject’s historiography.

Applications will be reviewed by independent scholars and PHS staff.

$2,500 cover travel, lodging, and other research expenses.

Timeline for 2025:

Applications due by March 3, 2025. Awards announced by April 7, 2025.

Application instructions and requirements:

To apply, fill out the webform and upload the two required attachments (narrative and CV). 

2024 Research Fellow Luca Azuma: Origins and Development of LGBTQ+ Christianity

Luca Azuma, Ph.D. student at University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, N.C.), was awarded a PHS research grant in 2024 to work on his project "Upon a Rainbow Cross: a History of LGBTQ+ Christianity in North America."

Hear from more PHS Research Fellows

List of Past PHS Research Fellows

LOCATION AND HOURS

425 Lombard St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri: 9 am to 4 pm

CONTACT US

Phone: (215) 627-1852
Email: refdesk@history.pcusa.org

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