The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center Fellowship at the New York Public Library (NYPL) is a prestigious nine-month residential fellowship for scholars, writers, journalists, translators, and artists whose work can benefit directly from the Library’s research collections.
Each year, the Cullman Center selects 15 Fellows who receive a $90,000 stipend, a private office, and full access to NYPL’s physical and electronic research resources.
Program Overview: NYPL Cullman Center Fellowship
- Opportunity Type: Residential Research & Writing Fellowship
- Organizer: New York Public Library — Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers
- Target Audience: Academics, independent scholars, journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets, translators, and visual artists
- Eligible Nationalities: International applicants
- Age Limit: No specific age limit stated
- Education Requirement: Varies by applicant category; applicants seeking funding for research leading directly to a degree are not eligible
- Work Experience: No single minimum experience requirement stated; applicants are expected to demonstrate outstanding work and a strong project
- Nomination Required: No
- University Admission: Not required
- Funding: $90,000 stipend for the nine-month fellowship
- Application Fee: $0
- Location: New York City, USA — primarily in residence at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
- Fellowship Duration: September 2027 – May 2028
- Cohort Size: 15 Fellows
- Deadline: September 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT
Can International Applicants Apply?
Yes. The Cullman Center describes itself as an international fellowship program and explicitly states that foreign nationals who are conversant in English are welcome to apply.
However, international applicants should pay close attention to U.S. work-authorization requirements. NYPL’s general fellowship guidance states that its fellowships are open to individuals with the legal right to work in the United States, so applicants should verify whether they have or can obtain the appropriate authorization for this fellowship.
What Does the Fellowship Provide?
Selected Fellows receive:
- $90,000 stipend
- Private office with a computer
- Full access to NYPL’s physical research collections
- Access to the Library’s electronic resources
- Opportunity to work alongside an interdisciplinary group of scholars and writers
- Participation in intellectual and public programs at the Library
- A nine-month period dedicated primarily to advancing their major project
Who Is the Fellowship For?
The program considers applications from:
- University academics
- Independent scholars
- Journalists
- Novelists
- Playwrights
- Poets
- Translators
- Visual artists working on appropriate projects
The key requirement is that the applicant’s work should benefit directly from access to the NYPL’s research collections.
Important Eligibility Rules
There are a few details your users should know before applying:
1. You must be able to work primarily on-site
This is not a remote fellowship. Fellows are expected to work at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building five days a week, Monday through Friday, throughout the fellowship term.
2. Degree-seeking research is not eligible
Applicants seeking funding for research that leads directly to a degree are not eligible. This is important for students who may assume that being enrolled in a PhD automatically makes them eligible.
3. International applicants need to check U.S. work authorization
Although foreign nationals are welcome to apply, NYPL’s general fellowship guidance requires fellows to have the legal right to work in the United States.
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