Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2012-13 Pennypacker Fellowship Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Office of Commonwealth Libraries, within the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 Pennypacker Fellowship Program.

Named after Pennsylvania's 23rd Governor, Samuel W. Pennypacker, who served from 1903 to 1907, the Pennypacker Fellowship Program provides support for up to eight weeks of full-time research and study. Areas of focus include library, manuscript and artifact collections maintained by the State Library, as well as any PHMC facility, including the Pennsylvania State Archives, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, and 25 historic sites and museums throughout the state.

Residency programs are open to anyone conducting research on Pennsylvania history, including academic scholars, public sector professionals, independent scholars, graduate students, educators, writers and filmmakers. Residencies may be scheduled for up to eight weeks between June 1, 2012, and May 30, 2013.  A stipend will be awarded.

Applicants are instructed to create research topics as broadly as possible, including beyond the boundaries of Pennsylvania. They are also encouraged to identify relevant State Library and/or Commission collections, assess their availability and accessibility, and discuss their research agenda with appropriate staff prior to submitting a proposal. Since the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and the PHMC are interested in making history meaningful and accessible to diverse audiences, research that is likely to result in widespread dissemination through non-specialized publications, films, exhibitions, or other means is especially welcome.

For a full description of the residency program and to obtain application materials, as well as information about the Library and Commission's research collections, visit the State Library's website at www.education.state.pa.us and click on "Commonwealth Libraries" under "Offices," or visit PHMC's website at www.phmc.state.pa.us.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 30, 2012, with notification of awards in March.

Applications can also be requested by writing to Pennypacker Fellowship Program, Bureau of Archives and History, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 300 North St., Harrisburg, PA 17120-0024, by calling 717-772-3257, or by emailing [email protected].

For questions, contact Joshua Stahlman, Pennypacker Fellowship Program coordinator at [email protected], or Iren Snavely, rare books librarian, Office of Commonwealth Libraries at [email protected].

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation to participate in this program should contact the Commission at 717-772-3257, or the Pennsylvania TDD relay service at 1-800-654-5984 to discuss their needs.

Media Contact:

Tim Eller, Department of Education, 717-783-9802

Howard Pollman, Historical and Museum Commission, 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education