November 20, 1997

Contact:
Yvonne French (202) 707-9191

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1998 Round of Mellon Foreign Area Fellowship Competition Opens November 20

The Library of Congress is again accepting applications for its Mellon Foreign Area Fellowship Research Awards. The post-doctoral fellowships, made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, were designed to support research that uses the Library's unrivaled foreign-language and area-studies collections.

The deadline for submission of applications is Jan. 15, 1998. In addition to the requirements of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and possession of a doctoral degree, the awards are for scholars who are proposing or working on a second major research project with a focus on foreign- language materials. Fellowships may last from five to 11 months and can begin no sooner than Aug. 1, 1998. Stipends of $3,000 per month, up to a maximum of $33,000 for 11 months, will be awarded; they may be used to extend the research period supported by other funds.

"These fellowships are for newer scholars who at a critical moment in their careers are undertaking a major study that will sustain our understanding of other cultures," said the Director of Scholarly Programs, Prosser Gifford. "The fellows will join with other scholars and the Library's expert staff, enhancing the dynamic intellectual community that is always growing within the Library," Mr. Gifford said. He noted that fellows will be presenting their research and sharing their insights and experiences during occasional gatherings.

The Mellon Fellowships are administered by the Office of Scholarly Programs. They were first announced in January 1997, and five awards resulted from the first competition. The Mellon Foundation grant finances three years of fellowship competitions. This will be the second year that the fellowships are offered. Application forms and further information may be obtained from the Office of Scholarly Programs, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20540-4860; telephone (202) 707- 3302; fax (202) 707-3595. Applications may be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail. Additional information is also available at the Library's home page at http://www.loc.gov.

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PR 97-202
11/20/97
ISSN 0731-3527