Bodleian Libraries Visiting Fellowships for 2027–28 close on 27 November 2026 at 5 p.m. GMT. These research visits centre on Oxford’s archival, manuscript and rare-book collections.
Funding and eligibility
Visits must last at least one month. Most strands offer up to £2,200 monthly for eligible costs, with possible tax deductions and different terms for specific awards. The Peter Selley strand instead provides £2,500 in support. Housing is not arranged by the Libraries, and fellows are responsible for obtaining the correct visa.
Academically affiliated and independent postdoctoral researchers may apply. Current doctoral candidates must submit their thesis before the deadline and receive the doctorate before the visit. Some named strands have additional restrictions.
The normal application combines an online form with separate PDFs emailed to the Libraries: a CV, a project description of up to 1,200 words, a collections list and two recommendations. Check strand-specific requirements and the official instructions.
Independent application-planning guidance
Begin with the materials rather than the prestige of the location. Identify which collections could answer your research question and which items appear essential. Catalogue references, where available, make a proposed visit more concrete and help you estimate how much work is feasible.
Distinguish material that needs on-site examination from material you can already consult remotely. Explain what a physical visit would allow you to observe, compare or establish. A proposal should make the relationship between the evidence and your question understandable to someone outside your precise specialism.
Build a reading-room plan with room for uncertainty. Archival work can reveal unexpected leads, but a visit still needs priorities. Decide which items are central, which would be useful if time permits, and what you would do if a key source proved unavailable. Seek clarification about access where necessary before committing to a tightly packed schedule.
Budget for the actual length and timing of the stay. Compare plausible accommodation costs, local travel and daily expenses rather than assuming that a monthly ceiling will cover every situation. Consider whether other funding is needed, particularly if travelling from overseas.
Choose a realistic output. A defined article section, catalogue study, exhibition contribution or substantial chapter revision can be easier to plan than a promise to complete an entire long-term project during a short visit. Explain how the visit fits into the work that comes before and after it.
Finally, keep the application components separate where instructed and ask referees to address the proposed research, not just your general ability. Proofread collection names and references carefully. A clear, evidence-led proposal should show why the visit is necessary, what you can accomplish and how the findings will become useful to other researchers or audiences.
Turn the collection list into a workable visit
This planning exercise is editorial guidance, not a substitute for the Libraries’ application instructions. Create a working list with four fields: catalogue reference, research question, estimated consultation time and backup material. An item belongs in the essential group only if it helps answer a defined question. This is also a useful way to notice when the proposal depends too heavily on one uncertain source.
Imagine that your first week produces fewer usable notes than expected. Which part of the project could still move forward? You might compare a smaller set of documents, refine the question or focus on a single case study. Write down the fallback before departure so that an access problem does not consume the rest of the visit.
Plan how you will organise evidence each evening. A consistent filename, a source reference attached to every note, and a short record of unresolved questions can save substantial time during later writing. Keep transcription separate from interpretation so you can revisit a passage without confusing your own inference with the original document. Before taking photographs or reproducing material, establish the applicable permissions rather than assuming that reading access permits publication.
Read the official programme details and application instructions. Check the current instructions before submitting, including any conditions specific to your circumstances.
