MARLÈNE AND PAOLO FRESCO FELLOWSHIP IN AFRICAN STUDIES
The Marlène and Paolo Fresco Fellowship aims to stimulate and support increased research on cultural exchanges between the African continent and the Mediterranean world during the period roughly between 1250 and 1750. This is a six-month residential fellowship for the Spring 2025 term (January-June).
The fellowship is designed for postdoctoral researchers in fields related to the study of African history, including art history, archaeology, the history of expressive cultures, musicology, economic history, intellectual, political, and religious history, as well as literature and languages. Preference will be given to advanced research projects that address the relationship between the African continent and Italy in the early modern period, broadly understood as including the 14th to the 17th centuries.
ELIGIBILITY
At the time of application, researchers must hold a PhD and will be required to upload a scanned copy of the certificate. They should not be working towards a second PhD. Applicants must be fluent in English, Italian, or French. Successful candidates will have a strong background in African history and its global exchanges in the early modern world. Fellows who are awarded the fellowship will spend a semester in Florence at I Tatti with access to local and regional resources (libraries, photographic collections, archives, museums, collections). The fellow will be expected to conduct original research on the subject for which they received their fellowship.
I Tatti term fellowships can only be held once and cannot be deferred. These fellowships are intended for scholars who have not previously held a position at I Tatti (except for graduate fellows).
CONDITIONS
The fellowship is $5,200 USD per month, made possible by a generous grant from Paolo Fresco, plus a one-time supplement (maximum $1,500 USD) for moving expenses. Given the residential nature of the fellowship, fellows must live in the Florence area and spend at least three days per week at the Center. Whenever possible, an apartment will be reserved for the fellow's use, rent-free, but with utility costs. If an apartment is not available, a housing allowance will be offered to help offset rental costs.
Fellows will spend six months at I Tatti (January - June 2025). Fellows enjoy all the privileges of the Harvard Center, including access to the Biblioteca Berenson seven days a week and lunch with other appointees from Monday to Friday. Fellows are provided with a dedicated workspace in the Biblioteca Berenson. Fellows may not assume any other obligations such as teaching positions, even part-time, during any part of their fellowship period. The fellowship cannot be held concurrently with another fellowship or award.
The fellow is responsible for obtaining a visa, a permit, and medical coverage (and, if applicable, for any accompanying family members). The fellow must determine whether a visa is required and, if necessary, obtain one before traveling.
APPLICATION
Applications must be written in English or Italian and submitted electronically by midnight (Cambridge, MA time) on February 29, 2024. Fellows may only apply for one type of fellowship at I Tatti per academic year.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Applicants must have two referees who are well acquainted with their work submit recommendations online before March 4, 2024. These recommendations must be written in English, French, or Italian. To give your referees enough time to submit recommendation letters, click on the reference tab and register them as early as possible. Referees will receive an email explaining how to access the system and submit their letters electronically. It is the applicants' responsibility to inform the referees writing on their behalf about the nature of the project and the submission deadline.
Please note that the deadline has passed. Please check in July for updated details and a link to the application.