The Dibner Library Resident Scholar Program

The Dibner Library Resident Scholar Program awards stipends of $3,500.00 per month for up to six months for individuals working on a topic relating to the history of science and technology who can make substantial use of the Dibner Library's Special Collections. Doctoral students and post-doctoral scholars are welcome to apply. The core of the holdings of the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology consists of approximately 10,000 rare books and manuscripts that were generously donated to the nation by the Burndy Library (founded by Bern Dibner) on the occasion of the nation's Bicentennial (1976). The collection has since grown to 35,000 rare books and 2,000 manuscript groups. The strengths of the Dibner Library's holdings are in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, classical natural philosophy, theoretical physics (up to the early twentieth century), experimental physics (especially electricity and magnetism), engineering technology (from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century), and scientific apparatus and instruments. Scholars are expected to be in residence at the Smithsonian full-time during their award tenures, to devote full-time effort to the research proposed, and to be regular users of the Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology. The scholar will have access to the Smithsonian Libraries' other collections and patron privileges such as interlibrary loan services. Scholars will be invited to address an informal colloquium of Smithsonian Institution staff and fellows on the topic of his or her research. This award is supported by the family of Frances K. Dibner and is managed by the Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Internships (OFI).