Marlne and Paolo Fresco Fellowship for African Studies at I Tatti 2024

The Marlène and Paolo Fresco Fellowship seeks to stimulate and support increased scholarship on cultural exchanges between the African continent and the Mediterranean world during the period c. 1250-1750. It is a six-month residential fellowship for the spring term of 2025 (January-June).

The fellowship is designed for post-doctoral scholars in fields related to the study of African history, including art history, archeology, the history of expressive cultures, musicology, economic history, intellectual, political, and religious history, as well as literature and languages. Preference will be given to advanced research projects that address the relationship between the African continent and Italy during the early modern period, broadly understood historically to include the period from the 14th?through the 17th?centuries.

About I Tatti (The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies)

Villa I Tatti, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies is a center for the study of early modern culture with a focus on Italy, defined historically as the period ranging from the 14th to the 17th centuries and geographically to include transnational dialogues between Italy and other cultures (e.g. Latin American, Mediterranean, African, Asian, etc.). The historic villa contains a unique collection of Renaissance and Asian art, and also houses the Biblioteca Berenson, one of the over seventy libraries that make up the Harvard Library system. In addition to its holdings of... read more

Marlène and Paolo Fresco Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Marlène and Paolo Fresco Fellowship

• The grant is USD 5,200 per month, made possible by a generous grant from Paolo Fresco, plus a one-time supplement (maximum USD 1,500) towards relocation expenses.
•  In light of the residential nature of the fellowship, Fellows must live in the Florence area and spend at least three days a week at the Center. 
• When possible, an apartment will be set aside for the fellow’s use, rent free, but with charges for utilities. If an apartment is not available, a housing subsidy will be offered to help offset rental costs.

Requirements for Marlène and Paolo Fresco Fellowship Qualification

• At the time of application, scholars must have a PhD in hand and will be asked to upload a scan of the certificate.
• They must not be working on a second PhD.
• Applicants must be fluent in either English, Italian, or French.
• Successful applicants will have a solid background in African history and its global exchanges in the early modern world.
• Candidates offered the fellowship will spend a six-month term in Florence at I Tatti with access to local and regional resources (libraries, photographic collections, archives, museums, collections).
• The fellow will be expected to carry out original research on the topic for which they have been awarded their fellowship.

Documents Required for Application

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Applicants must have two scholars who know their work well submit recommendations online by March 4, 2024. These recommendations must be written in English, French, or Italian. In order to give your referees adequate time to submit letters of recommendation, click the reference tab and register them as early as possible. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applications must be written in English or Italian and must be submitted electronically by midnight (Cambridge, MA time) on February 29, 2024. Scholars can apply to only one type of fellowship at I Tatti per academic year.

For more details, visit I Tatti website.