Woody Guthrie Fellowship Program Seeking Applicants

The BMI Foundation is taking applications for the Woody Guthrie Fellowship through June 15, 2022

The fellowship is an annual research program first established in 2005 to encourage in-depth exploration into the life and legacy of one of the most influential folk musicians in American history. The BMI Foundation, in cooperation with the Woody Guthrie Center, annually awards up to $5,000 for scholarly research at the Woody Guthrie Archives—the world’s largest collection of Woody Guthrie primary resource materials—located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

For over a decade, the program has funded a variety of extensive projects culminating in books, essays, lectures, curricula, public performances, artwork, and other classroom materials that illustrate Guthrie’s lasting contribution to American and world culture.

In order to be eligible for the fellowship, all applicants must have a project-based research topic that:

1. Leads to the creation of an original scholarly publication or product (i.e. book, article, etc.)
2. Is sufficiently extensive as to require a suggested minimum of two weeks of research at the Woody Guthrie Archives; such research must be completed no later than March 2022.

Applications must be submitted online no later than June 15, 2022, 11:59pm EST. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applicants are required to submit the following:

1.  Cover Letter
2.  Project Narrative (1500 word maximum) that includes:
   1. Concise description of the proposed research project and its significance for scholarship
   2. Current status of the project
   3. Synopsis of the project, including deliverables
   4. Timeline for completion of project and disseminating of results

3. List of the specific research materials you intend to consult at the Woody Guthrie Archives. For collection finding aids to plan your research, visit http://woodyguthriecenter.org/archives/)
4. Project Budget Form
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. List of grants or other funding sources for which you have applied or will apply

Applications will be reviewed by the Woody Guthrie Fellowship Selection Committee. Upon review, additional supporting materials (i.e. letters of recommendation, work samples, etc.) may be requested. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their application in the spring. The fellowship will be awarded on an objective and non-discriminatory basis.

Please address all inquiries to [email protected].