Does the Rubenstein Library provide funding for research trips/researchers?

Duke University’s Rubenstein Library and its research centers provide travel grants of up to $1000 for researchers whose work would benefit from access to the collections held at Duke. Currently, travel grants are available for work in the following research centers:

• Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
• John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture
• John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History

In addition, the Rubenstein Library is now accepting applications for two new fellowships for scholars interested in using our German Studies and Jewish Studies collections. Information about these fellowships (including application forms) is provided on each fellowship program's website:

• The Eleanore and Harold Jantz Fellowship
• Research Fellowships in Jewish Studies and the Hebrew Bible

Who is eligible?

Any faculty member, graduate or undergraduate student, or independent scholar with a research project requiring the use of materials held by any of the three research centers is eligible to apply. All applicants must reside outside of a 100-mile radius of Durham, NC.

Research topics should be strongly supported by the collections of the research center. We encourage each prospective grant applicant to discuss his or her research project and the collections that might support it with each center's reference archivist before submitting an application.

• Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
  • Read about the Bingham Center's collections
• John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture
  • Read about the Franklin Research Center's collections
• John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
  • Read about the Hartman Center's collections

What expenses does the grant cover?

• Transportation expenses, including air, train, or bus ticket charges; car rental; mileage using a personal vehicle; and parking fees
• Accommodations
• Meals

Expenses will be reimbursed once the grant recipient has completed his or her research visit(s) and has submitted original receipts.

How do I apply?

1. Download and complete an application form (Word document) and review instructions (PDF).
2. E-mail completed application and C.V. as attachments (Word document or PDF) to the appropriate center listed above. We will send you an e-mail confirming that your application was received.
3. Graduate and undergraduate students must submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor. The application packet will not be considered complete until this letter is received. The letter may be submitted as e-mail attachment to the appropriate center or by postal mail to:

Research Grant Program
Attn: [name of the center being applied to]
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Box 90185
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708-0185
USA

What dates do I need to remember?

• The deadline for applications is March 29, 2013 by 5:00 PM EST.
• Grant recipients will be announced by April 30, 2013.
• Grants must be used between May 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Holiday closings and regular hours are posted online.
• During the Rubenstein Library's move, reference services will be limited from January 7-February 15, 2013. Read more about our upcoming renovation.