Montana Historical Society

Big Sky ~ Big History

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James H. Bradley Fellowship

The Montana Historical Society’s James H. Bradley Fellowship is on hiatus in 2023 and 2024 due to construction of the Montana Heritage Center and renovation of the MTHS Library and Archives. MTHS expects to offer the next James H. Bradley Fellowship in 2025. Please send questions to mthslibrary@mt.gov.

The Research Center offers up to two James H. Bradley Fellowships every year to graduate students, faculty, and/or independent scholars pursuing research on Montana history.* Each fellowship includes a stipend of $3,000.

Each recipient is expected to be in residence conducting research for the equivalent of three weeks between June 1 and October 31. Fellows are expected to make use of the Montana Historical Society collections and to submit a written report upon completion of the research. Bradley Fellows are also required to submit an article based on the research for possible publication in the Society's quarterly journal, Montana The Magazine of Western History, within one year of their residency.

Award criteria:

  • applicant's education and research abilities (applicants must be currently enrolled in or have completed a master's program in history or a related field)
  • suitability of the research topic to the Society's archival, library, photograph or museum collections
  • potential of the project to make a significant contribution to historical scholarship on Montana
  • potential of the project to produce an article-length publication

Application requirements:

  • project proposal, not to exceed 3 double-spaced pages, including specific materials the applicant intends to consult
  • cover letter
  • 2-3 page resume
  • letter of recommendation

Applications must be sent electronically as one PDF document to mthslibrary@mt.gov. Announcement of the awards will be made in early spring. Questions about the fellowship should be directed to mthslibrary@mt.gov.

* Montana Historical Society employees and previous Bradley Fellows are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be a United States resident.

James H. Bradley 941-317

James H. Bradley, an amateur historian, served as a first lieutenant in the 7th Infantry and was killed at the Battle of the Big Hole in 1877.