BMI-Kluge

The Black Mountain Institute-Kluge Fellowship consists of a three-month term for a writer whose book would directly benefit from access to the Library of Congress’ extensive collections and time in which to conduct research and write. Although this fellowship has some in-person requirements it is primarily virtual, wherein the recipient can continue most of their scholarship and creative activity where they live while receiving prestigious support from Black Mountain Institute and the Library of Congress. During the three-month term, the fellow will spend two weeks at the Library of Congress conducting research. After the conclusion of their fellowship, the scholar/writer will visit BMI and UNLV in Las Vegas to offer a public program during the academic year.

  • The fellowship includes
  • A salary of $15,000 to be paid over a three-month period
  • Flights to/from Washington, D.C. for research at The Kluge Center
  • Flights to/from Las Vegas for a public program
  • 3 nights of lodging in Las Vegas
  • Recognition as a BMI-Kluge Fellow

Applicants must have a master’s degree or doctorate directly related to the area/subjects the applicant proposes to study (although, major creative or scholarly publications in the area of the proposed research may replace the graduate degree requirement); or, a bachelor’s degree plus five (5) years professional work experience.

Application details

You will need to submit:

  1. A proposal regarding the project the fellowship would serve, 1 – 3 pages in length
  2. Identification of specific Library collections materials that the applicant deems necessary for their research (please see FAQs below for more detailed instructions)
  3. A CV
  4. A writing sample of no more than 10 pages, double-spaced in 12-point font
  5. Three references’ names and contact information
  6. *Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.
  7. Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.

BMI-Kluge FAQs

BMI-Kluge Fellows receive a total salary of $15,000 and are employed through a part-time “letter of appointment” contract with UNLV. Depending on the fellow’s chosen start date, this compensation is split over 3-5 paychecks. Fellows are paid on the first of the month and partial months of work result in a prorated paycheck. Please note: all UNLV employees, including BMI fellows, are subject to mandatory retirement withholdings (Learn more about UNLV’s FICA Alternative Plan here).

This is a hybrid fellowship, intended to allow fellows to work from where they live – with the exception of up to two weeks spent in Washington, D.C. and a visit to Las Vegas for the fellow to present their work to BMI’s community.

Travel to Las Vegas and the details of the fellow’s public program will be determined by the fellow in collaboration with BMI, and will take place after the conclusion of the three-month fellowship, but prior to June 30, 2027.

No, the fellow is responsible for booking accommodations and covering those costs in D.C.

The fellow is required to spend 1-2 weeks in D.C., which can be arranged with the help of BMI and the Library. This visit can happen anytime within the chosen three-month period of the fellowship, pending availability at the Library.

The start and end dates of the three-month term (and later, the visit to Las Vegas) will be finalized with input from the fellow and BMI, but must take place between August 2026 – June 2027.

BMI-Kluge Fellows will be selected no later than May 31.

Yes. Publication of a book is not required for the BMI-Kluge Fellowship.

Please think about how the research you are doing requires collections unique to the Library of Congress (i.e. Why does this research need to happen at the Library of Congress, and not at another library or archive? Why is this research essential to your project?) Please use the LOC Catalogue as well as collection-specific “finding aids” to identify materials you are interested in viewing. Please include the link to the LC Catalog record and/or Box & Folder number.  For each individual item or collection you identify, you should include a short rationale.  

e.g.

Charles Mingus Collection (ML31.M56), Music Division, Library of Congress, https://lccn.loc.gov/2004598900

    • Box 66 & 67 - Beneath the Underdog typescripts.

    • I am interested in viewing the drafts Mingus created while completing his autobiography. I will also look at the correspondence and other materials.

    Aim to include about 10 entries in your upload. It's okay to go over that number, but quality matters over quantity.   For more information, see: https://www.loc.gov/discover/ How to use finding aids: https://www.loc.gov/research-centers/manuscript/researcher-resources/finding-aids/using-finding-aids/

No.

Applications close at 11:59 PT on March 16, 2026.

Previous Fellows

Thumbnail image for Saretta Morgan.

Saretta Morgan

Fall 2025