Scholars Lab Fellowship

We expect you to spend on average 4-5 hours per week participating in program activities which include:

• Attending monthly Fellows meetings
• Attending at least 2 workshops per term from the following series: Digital Humanities Workshops, Data and Donuts, or Digital Scholars in Practice lectures
• Attending regular meetings with your Project Advisor
• Individual time working on the project



Additionally, we expect that fellows will:

• Provide a 75-word bio and image plus a 150-word project statement for posting on the Scholars Lab page.
• Complete an original research project that utilizes data, digital collections, digital media, or digital methods/platforms during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• Notify your Project Advisor if you plan to be absent for more than four consecutive weeks.
• Present your project in a public forum.

Graduate students currently enrolled at UT may apply.

We are looking for original projects that use data, digitization, or digital collections to analyze, educate, or answer a research question. We want to see a realistic project that can be completed within six months. This fellowship incorporates elements of digital information, project management and scholarship. An outstanding application addresses all three elements. If you are able to pre-submit your proposal before September 2, we will review it and give you feedback before you officially submit it.

See examples of accepted projects on the 2025 Scholars Lab Fellows page.

You can expect consulting support from professional librarians, the other Fellows in your cohort, and staff experts in aspects of digital projects. We anticipate adding your projects and your photo to the Scholars Lab website.

This fellowship will be an accomplishment to add to your CV. It is intended to help you develop new research skills and grow as a researcher. You can view previous fellows and their projects on this page.

No. For accessibility reasons, for people who might be traveling, etc., we are open to fellows working remotely.

Departments may handle financial aid differently. Please see the Financial Aid Office's page about fellowships for more information.

You will receive two checks for $1500 each, one per semester.

University fellowship stipends are subject to federal income tax. Since the university does not withhold federal income tax from fellowship stipends, fellows must make estimated tax payments. The tax rate on a cash award is 30%.

Fellowship payments for nonresidents are subject to a withholding tax that is dependent upon the recipient’s visa status.

If you are a foreign fellow and hold an F-1 or J-1, visa, the award will be subject to 14% withholding. Recipients with any other type of visa are subject to 30%withholding.

People who are U.S. citizens, but residents of another state may have to pay federal and state income tax on the Fellowship, depending on their state of residence.

Fellows with no visa (such as those working remotely) are subject to the 30% withholding as well.

No, this fellowship was developed as a six month program. From late October through early December, Fellows focus on training and planning. During the spring, Fellows utilize the entire semester to complete their project. While the fall portion is shorter and less intensive, both phases are essential to the full fellowship experience.

Email the Scholars Lab: scholarslab@austin.utexas.edu