Visiting Research Fellowship 2026 - Applications Now Open
The University of Glasgow Library Visiting Research Fellowship scheme seeks to support scholars from across academic disciplines to come to Glasgow to work on our unique research collections.
The University of Glasgow is proud to have an outstanding library of old, rare and unique material, including many illuminated medieval and renaissance manuscripts of international importance, and more than 10,000 books printed before 1601. It also houses extensive collections relating to art, literature and the performing arts, as well as the University’s own institutional archive which dates back to the 13th century. It is also home to the Scottish Business Archive, with over 400 collections dating from the 18th century to the modern-day.
The Fellowships are competitive peer-assessed awards. They are designed to provide financial support towards the costs of travel and accommodation to enable researchers to work on the unique collections held in the University Library. The successful recipients should spend between two and four weeks over the course of a year working with the collections in Glasgow.
Up to three Fellowships are offered by the William Lind Foundation to support research into Scottish business history, otherwise, the scope of proposals is open to applicants to define.
Terms
- The maximum value of any award that can be claimed is £2500.
- The award will be made for a project relating to the University of Glasgow Library collections. Applicants will be at any stage of their academic career but are expected to be a holder of a completed Ph.D. However, consideration will also be given to applicants with a demonstrable track record in academic research as evidenced by, for example, peer-reviewed publications. Independent and emeritus scholars may also apply.
- The award will cover a period of at least two and no more than four weeks in the calendar year 2026.
- Scholars will make their own arrangements for travel and accommodation. Travel, subsistence, and other reasonable research expenses will be eligible to be claimed to a value of £2500.
- To better align with our sustainability goals and promote cost-conscious practices, the University Travel Booking policy has been updated.
- A business travel principles checklist has also been created to support authorised business travellers.
- Please ensure you read the travel policy in full before costing, booking, or claiming expenses, in particular restrictions on Airbnb bookings and UK domestic flights.
- Applications will be peer-reviewed by a panel of University of Glasgow academics. It is expected applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of January 2026.
- Acknowledgment of the award should be made in any future publications resulting from research undertaken during this award.
- Visiting Fellows are expected to submit a short report of their research findings for inclusion on the Library website or other publications.
