Our collections offer UF undergraduate and graduate students the chance to gain valuable, hands-on experience as researchers and professionals in cultural heritage institutions. We work with a number of centers and programs on campus to provide semester- and yearlong opportunities for students to undertake individual research, work on exhibits and other public projects, and develop skills as teachers and stewards. Each of the fellowships below
For Undergraduate Students
Discovery Fellowships in Special Collections (Applications for Spring 2025 due November 4th by 5pm)
These paid, semester-long fellowships offer students with no prior research experience the opportunity to develop projects based on their own interests under the mentorship of a member of Special & Area Studies Collections. Fellowships run in the spring semester, and Discovery Fellows present their projects to the public at the end of the semester. To learn more about the program and to see current application deadlines, please click the button below.
Alexander Grass Scholars in the Humanities (Yearly, Summer/Fall)
This program allows students with no prior research experience to gain fundamental research skills in the humanities, and to begin working with collections in the libraries with a group of their peers. Each year, the program admits a cohort of roughly twenty students. Fellows must complete an introductory course over Summer A where they will assist on an existing humanities research project. They may continue to work on that project in the Fall, and will present their work to the public during the Fall semester. More information about this program can be found on the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere’s website.
University Scholarships in Special Collections (Yearly, Fall/Spring)
In partnership with the Center for Undergraduate Research, students can apply to undertake yearlong research or creative projects which will focus on special collections. University scholars will work with a department mentor to complete their project over the course of an academic year, and they will also present their research as part of the university-wide Undergraduate Research symposium in early April. To learn more about the program and to see current application deadlines, please click the button below.
Smathers Undergraduate Internship Program (Occasional, Summer, Fall or Spring)
This semester-long internship is offered intermittently on topics proposed by a faculty mentor. Interns work with a mentor on an individual research project during the Fall, Spring, or Summer of their award year. Internships are open to any current undergraduate student, but different projects may carry additional language or technical requirements. More information, including guidance for mentors proposing projects, can be found by clicking the button below.
Fellowship
Discovery Fellowships In Special Collections
Learn research skills as you develop your own project with a mentor.
Fellowship
Smathers Undergraduate Internship Program
Provides support for projects in many areas across our library branches.
Fellowship
Alexander Grass Scholars in the Humanities
Cohorts of new humanities researchers take a summer course and contribute towards group projects in Library collections.
Fellowship
University Scholarships in Special Collections
A yearlong fellowship for upper-level students working on independent research projects.
For Graduate Students
Smathers Graduate Internship Program (Occasional, single or dual semester)
Interns work with a mentor on an individual research project during the Fall, Spring, or Summer of their award year. Internships are advertised on the Libraries’ HR website, but different projects may carry additional language or technical requirements. More information, including guidance for mentors proposing projects, can be found by clicking the button below.
If you are interested in learning about internship opportunities in a particular collection, please contact that collection’s curator to ask about current or potential future opportunities.
Fellowship
Smathers Graduate Internship Program
Provides funding and training for graduate students to assist with a wide range of special collections projects, from exhibits to development and outreach.
Travel Grant
Chase Family Grant
Provides support for graduate students at other institutions to conduct research in the PK Yonge Library of Florida History.
Volunteer Opportunities
Very occasionally we have opportunities for volunteer assistance processing collections and working on specific curator-led projects. Please contact the department chair to ask if there are any opportunities available. Please note that not all collections and areas can support volunteers, and that there is often a considerable lead time to determine available projects.