Research Fellowships Return as Montana Archives Prepare to Reopen

The shelves are ready again.

After years of construction dust settling over the Montana Heritage Center, the Montana Historical Society's research fellowship programs are coming back to life. Starting in 2026, scholars will once again have the chance to dig through millions of photographs, letters, and documents that tell Montana's story—this time in a newly renovated space that's been quietly reorganized behind closed doors.

The fellowships aren't new. Since 1983, 91 researchers have used them to fund deep dives into the state's past. That work has translated into more than 30 articles in Montana The Magazine of Western History and over 10 books—the kind of scholarship that turns archival fragments into narratives people actually read.

"We've been working hard behind the scenes to make more collections accessible for their research," explains Roberta Gebhardt, who manages the Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson Library and Archives. The new building, set to open to the public this spring, represents more than just fresh paint and better lighting. It's a chance to reconnect researchers with materials that have been largely out of reach.

Three fellowships will be available, each with different audiences and deadlines. The James H. Bradley Fellowship offers $4,000 to graduate students, faculty, and independent scholars working on Montana history. Up to two awards go out each year, with applications due February 15, 2026. The newer Montana History Network Fellowship—launched just this year—gives $2,000 to students at Montana universities who want to work across multiple archives, including those at MSU and UM. Those applications are due February 28. The Dave Walter Fellowship, running since 2009, supports public history projects focused on local Montana stories with $1,250 stipends and an April 1 deadline.

Emily Arendt, a 2022 fellow, describes the experience as more than just access to good materials. "Spending three weeks in residence at the archives offered an unparalleled opportunity to conduct research in a top-notch facility," she notes. What stood out was the ongoing support—people who stayed engaged from initial research through final publication. "It's rare to find a fellowship that is generous enough to cover expenses for the duration, let alone at a place as welcome and engaging as the Montana Historical Society."

The fellowships provide more than money. Fellows get research assistance and editorial guidance throughout their projects, working with staff who know the collections intimately. For scholars piecing together Montana's past—whether that's Indigenous history, mining towns, or political movements—that institutional knowledge can mean the difference between finding a needle in a haystack and understanding which haystack to search.

Full application criteria and requirements are available at mths.mt.gov/research/fellowships. Questions can be sent to [email protected].