Consortium Fellows have used the summer program to:

• access primary documents for research projects at the Archives, the Library of Congress, or dozens of museums and libraries throughout the city.

• work on manuscripts or articles in spaces like the Atrium at the National Portrait Gallery, the reading room at the Library of Congress, or outside at tables in the National Sculpture Garden

• redesign courses or develop lesson plans sitting next to the Potomac River, on the National Mall, or hundreds of other inspiring spaces.

• get new ideas and inspiration by taking advantage of the cultural and political assets in DC, including performances at the Kennedy Center, walking through Smithsonian Museums, and touring the U.S. Capitol or observing a session of Congress.

• engage with experts by attending lectures hosted by think tanks, local restaurants (e.g. Politics and Prose, Busboys and Poets), government agencies, and universities.

There are two, five-week sessions with two fellowships available each session.

Session 1: May 24 - June 29 Session 2: July 3 - August 9

We welcome applications for the whole summer for those whose projects would benefit from the extended time. Our ability to grant these requests depends on the number of applications submitted.

Housing The primary benefit of the consortium fellowship is access to free housing in the River Place apartment complex, located in Rosslyn, VA, two blocks from the Rosslyn metro stop. Fellows share a two-bed, two-bath apartment with another fellow, each assigned to their own bedroom and bathroom. The kitchen and living/dining room are shared space. Apartments are fully furnished, except LCWS does not provide linen, pillows, or blankets. The unit has a washer and dryer along with a fully stocked kitchen. The complex has a pool and a workout facility. More information can be found in housing. Parking is available on-site for an additional fee.

While the fellowship does not provide a stipend, applicants may be able to seek supplemental funding from their home institution or professional organizations.

Additional Benefits The affiliation with the Eisenhower Institute allows consortium fellows to set up a workspace at the Institute, located two blocks from the White House. Fellows are also invited to weekly expert roundtable discussions and activities with EI summer student fellows, and may present on a topic of their choosing if it fits into the general theme of the program. In addition, LCWS and EI host a joint networking reception over the summer that fellows are invited to attend.

Application To apply, provide a cover letter that provides background on your affiliation with your college or university, your goals for the summer, how living in Washington, D.C. will help you accomplish those goals, and your desired session. If your project would benefit from staying for the whole summer, that is also an option, depending on demand. Applications are currently being accepted for the summer 2025 and summer 2026 sessions. The application should be submitted through your campus representative who will send the application to us. Acceptance For summer 2025, applications are due February 28. Applicants will be notified by March 5 if they have been selected as fellows. For summer 2026, applications are welcome through September 30. Notifications will go out by October 10. A second round will open for summer 2026 if there is still availability.