The Specter Center is pleased to announce
the opening of two $5,000 competitive
research fellowships to be awarded for
2020. Graduate students or post-graduate
scholars in relevant areas, like political
science, international studies, history,
public policy, public administration, or
public health are invited to apply.
Fellows will have access to the
Arlen Specter Archives Collection at the
University of Pittsburgh and Jefferson
University (East Falls Campus), which
contains Specter’s extensive papers,
audiovisuals, photographs and memorabilia
documenting his 30-year Senatorial career.

Potential research areas within the
Arlen Specter Collection include:
• Supreme court nominee confirmations
• LGBTQ rights- See materials from
Specter’s time as Philadelphia’s
District Attorney
• Middle East diplomacy
• Cuban-American relations
• Scientific/medical research fundingincluding
stem-cell research
• Criminal justice/hate crimes
• Clinton impeachment
• Philadelphia regional developments
and initiatives (Constitution Center
opening; Naval Base closure)

Eligible Applicants
The intent of the award is to increase awareness of the late Senator’s work and legacy. Fellowship recipients need to be either graduate students currently enrolled in an academic program or a post-graduate scholars who will conduct research on a topic consistent with the legacy of the late Senator. Scholars or graduate students studying history, political science, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Each Fellow will receive a $5,000* taxable award to cover all travel and research expenses.
Jefferson University faculty and/or graduate students are eligible to apply, if their research is directly tied to the fellowship priority areas. Course releases do not accompany this fellowship.
To be considered, applicants must have a research plan that makes some use of the extensive Arlen Specter Senatorial Papers. The final deliverable must be a scholarly publication such as a white paper, article, book chapter, book, doctoral dissertation, or master’s thesis based on this research plan.