Gary E. and Carolyn J. Strong Special Collections Fellowship

Call for Applications How to Apply Application Criteria Potential Projects

Questions? Contact Dulce Kersting-Lark, Head of Special Collections and Archives, at dulce@uidaho.edu.

Call for Applications

The University of Idaho Library invites graduate students from any discipline at the University of Idaho to apply for the Gary E. and Carolyn J. Strong Special Collections Fellowship. This program funds one student each year to work with the faculty and staff at the Library to increase the visibility and use of previously unprocessed collections in the University of Idaho Library’s Special Collections & Archives. The fellowship occurs during the summer for six to eight weeks, with exact dates to be negotiated with the successful applicant. Though priority is given to doctoral students, masters students may be selected. Eligible applicants must have plans to enroll in the fall semester after the fellowship.

Applicants with an interest in working with archival materials, as a scholar or as a professional, are encouraged to apply for this hands-on learning opportunity. The activities of the fellow will be focused on processing and digitizing previously uncatalogued donations. University of Idaho Library personnel will assist and guide the work; applicants are not required to have experience in arranging archival material or creating digital collections.

The deliverables from the fellowship will be materials such as finding aids that assist in discovery and use of the collection, a digital collection hosted by the U of I Library, or a multi-modal interpretative essay that uses embedded digital items (images, PDFs, videos, etc.) from the fellow’s research to introduce their research and describe their experience on the fellowship. All deliverables will be made publicly available through the U of I Library webpage.

The award includes a $4,500 student fellowship and up to $500 in research funds to help cover the cost of materials and supplies, project-related travel expenses, etc.

Since 2021, Strong Fellowship recipients have improved access to a variety of collections, including the League of Women Voters of Moscow records, the Women in Natural Resources collection, the Palouse Science Fiction Association collection, and the Lyle J. Reed collection related to the Old Time Fiddle Festival, the Plant, Soil, and Entomological Sciences records, and the WWAMI records.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

  1. A letter of no more than 500 words that addresses each of the following questions:
    • What interests you in this fellowship?
    • Which of the available projects listed below would you like to work on and why?
    • What previous experience, education, and/or training do you have that will contribute to the success of this project?
    • How will you accomplish the work of the fellowship during 6 to 8 weeks over the summer? What timeline would you follow?
    • What learning outcomes do you hope to gain through this fellowship?
  2. A current resume or CV.
  3. A letter of support from a U of I faculty member.

Applications are due Friday, March 21st by the end of the day and a decision will be announced within two weeks of the deadline.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Application materials are clearly written and demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the nature and purpose of the project, how it relates to other work in the field, and it includes a plan for accomplishing project goals.
  • Proposed project allows student to take intellectual ownership and can be reasonably completed in the allotted time.
  • Proposed project provides an opportunity for the student to advance their thesis or dissertation work, or develop a new skill set.
  • Student is prepared for the project (coursework, experience, interest and ability to navigate and use primary sources, etc.)
  • Faculty member has submitted supportive recommendation.

Potential Projects:

  • Rehouse, arrange, and describe 16 cubic feet of aerial photographs from Potlatch Corporation.
  • Rehouse, arrange, and describe 8 cubic feet of records from Ken Hungerford and the Wildlife Resources Department.
  • Inventory and describe large donation of historic photos from Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.

Interested students are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposals with the Head of Special Collections and Archives, Dulce Kersting-Lark, as they are developing their application materials. Dulce can be reached at dulce@uidaho.edu.