**Research Opportunities at the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center**
The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program and Travel to Collections Award Program support projects that present creative approaches to the study of invention and innovation in American society. These include, but are not limited to, historical research and documentation projects resulting in publications, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and multimedia products.
The programs provide access to the expertise of the Institution's research staff and the vast invention and technology collections of the National Museum of American History (NMAH). The NMAH Archives Center documents both individuals and firms across a range of time periods and subject areas including railroads, musical instruments, television, radio, plastics, and sports equipment. Representative collections include the Western Union Telegraph Company Records, ca. 1840-1994; the Earl S. Tupper Papers, documenting Tupper, and his invention, Tupperware; and the Howard Head Papers, documenting the inventor of Head-brand fiberglass skis and Prince tennis rackets.
The Lemelson Center invites applications covering a broad spectrum of research topics that resonate with its mission to foster a greater understanding of invention and innovation, broadly defined. However, the Center especially encourages project proposals that will illuminate the role of women inventors; inventors with disabilities; inventors from diverse backgrounds; or any inventions and technologies associated with groups that are traditionally under-represented in the historical record. Pertinent NMAH collections include the papers of Victor L. Ochoa, a Mexican-American aeronautical inventor; the papers of Dr. Patricia Bath, an African-American inventor of a patented cataracts treatment; and the HIV/AIDS and LGBT Reference Collections, which document innovative public health programs and associated technologies. For a comprehensive list of Archives Center collections, see http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives/d-10.htm.
The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program annually awards 2 to 3 fellowships to pre-doctoral graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and other professionals who have completed advanced training. Fellows are expected to reside in the Washington, D.C. area, to participate in the Center's activities, and to make a presentation of their work to colleagues at the museum. Fellowship tenure is based upon the applicants’ stated needs (and available funding) up to a maximum of ten weeks. Stipends for 2012-2013 will be $575/week for pre-doctoral fellows and $870/week for post-doctoral and professional fellows. Applications are due 15 January 2012; notifications will be made by 15 April 2012. For application procedures and additional information, please see http://invention.smithsonian.org/ resources/research_fellowships.aspx. Researchers should consult with the fellowship coordinator prior to submitting a proposal – please contact historian Eric S. Hintz, Ph.D. at +1 202-633-3734 or [log in to unmask].
The Lemelson Center Travel to Collections Award Program annually awards 4 to 5 short-term travel grants to encourage the use of its invention-related collections. Awards are $150 per day for a maximum of 10 business days and may be used to cover transportation, living, and reproduction expenses. Only applicants who reside or attend school beyond commuting distance of the National Museum of American History are eligible for this program. Applications are due 30 November 2011, with notifications by mid-December 2011. For application procedures and additional information, see http://invention.smithsonian.org/resources/research_travel.aspx. Researchers should consult with the travel award coordinator prior to submitting a proposal – please contact archivist Alison Oswald at +1 202-633-3726 or [log in to unmask].
**Application Deadlines**
Travel to Collections Awards: November 30, 2011
Fellowships: January 15, 2012