Mellon Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Undergraduate Internship at APS

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Internship

The Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Undergraduate Summer Internship provides an opportunity for three talented undergraduates to conduct research, to explore career possibilities in archives and special collections, and to learn about advanced training in Native American and Indigenous Studies and related fields. This eight-week paid internship program at the American Philosophical Society Library in Philadelphia will offer a hands-on research experience and will include mentorship and networking opportunities. The APS Library has rich and varied collections related to over 440 different Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas. Working with mentors, interns will develop their own archives-based projects or pursue research projects identified by the Indigenous communities with which the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research(CNAIR) interacts and collaborates.

The 2018 NASI Summer Internship will take place from June 17 to August 11, 2018. During this time students will work at the APS Library and will also have the opportunity to travel to Native communities to share their work. NASI Summer Interns will join a vibrant intellectual community at the APS that includes other scholars working with Native American and Indigenous materials as well as undergraduate summer interns and library fellows from different scholarly fields. 

Interns will receive a stipend ranging between $3000 and $3500 (depending on housing costs). Several college campuses in Philadelphia offer summer housing for interns; the APS will work with NASI interns to identify housing and will help facilitate payment. Additionally, the internship includes a travel allowance.

The Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) is funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. NASI supports research in the field of Native American and Indigenous Studies and related fields by undergraduates, Native American scholars, Tribal College faculty members, and researchers who work closely with archives and Native communities.

The Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at the American Philosophical Society Library focuses on helping Indigenous communities and scholars to discover and utilize the APS collections in innovative ways. For more information, please visithttps://www.amphilsoc.org/library/CNAIR

To apply:

Undergraduates currently enrolled at institutions of higher education should submit the following materials via Interfolio (http://apply.interfolio.com/48129) by Friday March 2, 2018:

·         a resume or curriculum vitae

·         two letters of reference

·         a single document containing three short essays addressing each of the following (25o words each):

1.       summary of academic background

2.      a statement of interest in the internship

3.      a statement of involvement with a Native American community or Native American and Indigenous issues

Decisions will be announced by March 30, 2018. Questions about the NASI internship program should be directed to libfellows@amphilsoc.org or 215-440-3400.