The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship, established in 2006 by the Francis Goelet Charitable Trust, is now accepting applications for its 2025 cycle. The fellowship invites scholars from all disciplines to apply, particularly those engaged in research related to the history of the life sciences.
The fellowship supports innovative and advanced projects, especially those that demonstrate relevance to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Archives, a world-renowned center for the study of molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience.
Fellowship Benefits
Each selected fellow will receive up to $5,000 USD to cover direct costs associated with their research project, which must include a residency period at CSHL.
During the residency, fellows will:
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Be provided with a workspace at the Carnegie Library
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Receive full access to CSHL’s archival collections
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Benefit from support by archivists, librarians, and historians at the lab
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to:
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Researchers at any career stage
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Journalists, writers, filmmakers, and creative artists conducting substantial research on the history of the life sciences
Selection Criteria
The selection committee is looking for proposals that are:
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Refined, detailed, and original
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Relevant to the CSHL collections (though relevance is not the sole criterion)
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High in overall scholarly quality and significance
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
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A completed application form
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Two letters of recommendation
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A detailed research proposal
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A curriculum vitae that includes academic and professional history, publications, and details of past or current grants, fellowships, and awards
How to Apply
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Email your application to sydneyBrennerScholarship@cshl.edu
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Attach all documents in .pdf, .doc, or .docx formats
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Include a brief cover letter in the body of the email
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Use this subject line format: “Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship Application 2025 – [Your Full Name]”
Interested applicants can download the application form here. For further information, visit the official website.
Application Deadline: August 1, 2025
The Sydney Brenner Research Fellowship, established in 2006, is accepting applications for its 2025 cycle from scholars across all disciplines, with a particular emphasis on research related to the history of life sciences. Supported by the Francis Goelet Charitable Trust, the fellowship promotes innovative projects relevant to the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Archives. This world-renowned center specializes in molecular biology, genetics, and neuroscience.
Fellowship recipients will receive up to $5,000 USD to cover project costs, including a residency at CSHL. During this period, fellows are provided a workspace in the Carnegie Library, full access to archival collections, and support from archivists, librarians, and historians. Eligible applicants include researchers at any career stage and journalists, writers, filmmakers, and creative artists engaged in substantial life sciences history research.
Applicants are evaluated based on proposals that are refined, detailed, original, and relevant to CSHL collections, though relevance is not the only criterion. Strong scholarly quality and significance are also essential. Applications require a completed form, two recommendation letters, a detailed research proposal, and a thorough CV. Applications should be emailed with the subject line reflecting the fellowship and applicant's name. Further details and the application form are available online, with the deadline set for August 1, 2025.
