The Theodore Sorensen Research Fellowship is administered by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation from funds provided from funds provided by Mr. Sorensen, who was speechwriter and Special Counsel to John F. Kennedy throughout Kennedy’s Senate and Presidential years.
Stipend Amount: up to $3,600.
Research Focus: Domestic policy, political journalism, polling, press relations, or a related topic. At least a portion of the project should utilize materials from the JFK Library archives.
Application Deadline: September 30
Award Announcement: December 1; fellowship funds must be used within 24 months of the award date
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact an archivist at the JFK Library (Kennedy.Library@nara.gov) for information about relevant archival holdings before applying.
To apply, please submit only the following documentation:
- A complete application form.
- A brief proposal (no more than four pages) including the following information: the planned project and its significance; collections you will consult at the JFK Library and other institutions; the intended audience and expected outcome of your work.
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or other appropriate references.
- A sample of your writing (no more than ten pages);
- A project budget, including the following information: a description of how the awarded funds would be applied (the estimated per diem cost of accommodations and meals for Boston, MA is $250); a list of other fellowships or grants that will support the project; and a statement on whether matching funds are available to you through your home institution or elsewhere.
- A CV or resume.
Additional documentation will not be considered as part of your application.
Email your completed application to the Fellowship Coordinator at Kennedy.Fellowships@nara.gov.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants should be aware that the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation disburses Fellowship funds in the form of bank checks drawn from the Bank of America and given to awardees upon arrival at the Kennedy Library. Applicants from countries other than the United States will need to make personal arrangements to cash their Fellowship checks and to confirm in advance whether their banks will accept international checks. There may be the option that Bank of America will cash checks (for a fee) while awardees are in the United States; however, awardees will need to contact Bank of America directly to determine if that option is available to them.