The named fellowships that constitute the program provide a modest amount of support to facilitate travel to the library and to underwrite research related expenses. The Bentley Historical Library houses the Michigan Historical Collections and the University of Michigan Archives. The Michigan Historical Collections is a broadly conceived archival collection that documents the history of the state of Michigan. A researcher's topic need not be specific to the history of Michigan, but in all cases it must require significant use of the holdings of the Bentley Library. Scholars resident in Ann Arbor are eligible to apply provided that their work is considerably underway and based primarily on the holdings of the Bentley Library.
Applications require a statement of the project, submission of a budget, and two letters of support.
Application deadlines for each year fall on October 15 and March 15. Applicants will be notified of the review results within a month of the deadlines. List of fellowships awarded since the inception of the program in 1990.