The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library and the Department of History are pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Research Travel Grant to support scholars conducting research in any of the Library’s collections.

The University Library is one of the largest research libraries in the U.S., holding more than 14 million volumes and 24 million other items and materials in all formats, languages, and subjects. Special collections include the papers of literary figures such as Marcel Proust, H.G. Wells, Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks, extensive collections of Slavic and East European materials and of materials documenting the history of science, technology, international agricultural programs, and librarianship, the premier collection on international amateur sports and the Olympics, and a unique collection of sub-Saharan African research materials. Travel grant recipients will also have access to the Library’s digital collections (including journal subscriptions and licensed databases) during their stay.

For more information about the Library’s collections, see: https://www.library.illinois.edu/collections/special-collections

Travel grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 per recipient. Funds may be applied toward round-trip travel, and accommodations and expenses in Urbana-Champaign, IL.

Eligibility:  Scholars at the graduate and post-doctoral levels who wish to conduct research at the University of Illinois Library are invited to apply. Non-U.S. residents are eligible, but should bear in mind that obtaining appropriate visas will be their own responsibility. (We can provide an official letter of invitation for award recipients).

Obligations: Travel grant applicants must identify a local (University of Illinois) sponsor or collaborator in a relevant academic department. Travel grant recipients should plan to participate in the intellectual life of the University of Illinois by presenting their work publicly to the campus community and/or meeting informally with faculty and students during their stay.

Travel grant recipients must reside continuously on campus or within a short driving distance during the award period (a minimum of 5 working days).

If a travel grant recipient publishes work resulting from the research visit, the Library appreciates acknowledgment of the grant’s benefit as well as copies of the publication(s) for our collection.

Deadlines and award periods: Applications will be accepted until October 1, 2024 for grants for travel between November 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025.

 Application: Please send the following application components (as email attachments) to hpnl@library.illinois.edu

• Project proposal (no more than three pages) which clearly highlights how the work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library is part of the scholar’s ongoing or future research
• Current CV
• Letter of recommendation from a local scholar in a relevant academic department of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Estimate of anticipated travel expenses

Questions about the Research Travel Grant should be directed to hpnl@library.illinois.edu