Applications are now open for the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship 2027 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in the United States. The fellowship provides research funding of up to USD 5,000 to support scholars, journalists, and writers undertaking significant research projects in the history of the life sciences.
Established through an endowment from the Francis Goelet Charitable Trust, the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship supports advanced research that makes meaningful use of the extensive collections held by the CSHL Library and Archives. Fellows are expected to spend part of their research period in residence at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where they receive access to archival materials, workspace, and research support from archivists, librarians, and historians.
The fellowship is open to applicants from around the world at any career stage and supports research leading to scholarly publications, books, exhibitions, or other forms of public dissemination.
WhatsApp ChannelQuick Overview of Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship 2027
- Host Country: United States
- Host Institution: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Fellowship Type: Research Fellowship
- Funding: Up to USD 5,000
- Eligible Applicants: Scholars, journalists, and writers
- Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2027
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Fellowship Benefits
The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship provides funding of up to USD 5,000 to cover direct costs associated with the proposed research project.
The fellowship funding may be used for:
- Travel and transportation
- Accommodation during research visits
- Daily living expenses
- Research-related expenses
- Translation of primary source materials
- Recording and transcription of oral history interviews
- Microfilming archival materials
In addition to financial support, fellows receive:
- A dedicated workspace in the Carnegie Library
- Full access to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Library and Archives
- Research assistance from archivists, librarians, and historians
- Opportunity to rent on-campus accommodation, subject to availability
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Who Can Apply?
The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship is open to:
- Scholars at any career stage
- Journalists
- Writers
Applicants should be undertaking a substantial research project related to the history of the life sciences. Strong preference is given to projects that make effective use of the collections housed in the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Library and Archives.
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Research Proposal Requirements
Applicants must submit a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words.
The proposal should include:
- Research question or objectives
- Importance of the proposed project
- Sources to be used at CSHL and other institutions
- Specific archival collections or record groups at CSHL that will be consulted
- Tentative project timeline
- Contribution of the research to the applicant’s academic or professional field
The proposal should be prepared in 12-point font and double-spaced.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Completed application form
- Research proposal
- Selected bibliography of relevant CSHL collections and other sources
- Brief budget statement
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Names and contact details of two referees who can provide recommendation letters if requested
Applications should be submitted electronically by email, with all documents attached in PDF, DOC, or DOCX format.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Originality of the proposed research
- Overall quality and significance of the project
- Detailed and well-developed research plan
- Relevance of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory collections to the project
- Potential contribution to the history of the life sciences
Applicants who are still developing an initial research idea are encouraged to consider CSHL’s research travel grants instead of the fellowship.
Responsibilities of Fellowship Recipients
Recipients are expected to:
- Complete their research during the academic year following notification of the award
- Spend a research period at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
- Present preliminary research findings to the CSHL community
- Disseminate research through journal articles, books, presentations, exhibitions, or other scholarly outputs
- Donate a copy of the final research output to the CSHL Library and Archives
The fellowship funding is paid in two installments:
- Two-thirds at the beginning of the research visit
- One-third after completion of the research and presentation of findings
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship 2027 is 31 August 2027. Successful applicants are typically notified of the selection results in September.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should prepare all required documents and submit their application via email to:
SydneyBrennerScholarship@cshl.edu
The email subject line should follow this format:
Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship application 2027 – Your Name
Applicants are encouraged to review the fellowship guidelines and identify relevant archival collections before preparing their research proposal.
