The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), with the generous support of the Foundation for the National Archives, announces the 2013 Regional Residency Fellowship Program’s Request for Proposals. The Residency Fellowship Program gives researchers the opportunity to conduct original research using records held at National Archives locations in Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Riverside, CA; San Francisco, CA; and St. Louis, MO. It offers an opportunity for researchers to explore often overlooked records held by NARA and to experience what many researchers have discovered - that it is not necessary to go to Washington, D.C. to do research at the National Archives.
For 2013, one fellow will be assigned to each of the participating National Archives facilities, for a total of six fellowships. Each fellow will receive a $3,000.00 stipend to assist with travel and research expenses.
The Fellowship recipients will be expected to complete a research project that results in a publishable work product. In addition, within one year of receiving the Fellowship, each recipient will be asked to prepare a short report for publication by NARA that describes the research experience – the discovery, method, and use of the records at that facility.
The use of social media tools to spread information about the experience is encouraged. Fellows also will be asked to conduct a staff briefing at the end of their research visit to share information regarding what was found during the research process.
Academic and independent historians, public and local historians, and writers are encouraged to apply. Current NARA employees and contractors or their immediate family members are not eligible.
Records that can be researched in St. Louis, MO include:
NARA at St. Louis maintains the records of former military members and federal civilian employees. Records that are available to the public include:
· Military Records
o Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) for individuals with a separation date of 62 years ago from “today’s date.”
Personnel files are specific to individuals and contain information about military actions as well as family history and former educational and professional pursuits.
§ U.S. Army (including Army Air Corps and Army Air Force) with a separation date beginning in 1912
§ U.S. Navy with a separation date beginning in 1880
§ U.S. Marine Corps with a separation date beginning in 1895
§ U.S. Coast Guard (military) with a separation date beginning in 1898
§ U.S. Air Force with a separation date beginning in 1947
o Auxiliary Records (some examples include):
§ Army General Courts-Martial and Army Special Courts-Martial records (1918-1976)
§ World War I Burial Files
§ Selective Service Records for those born prior to 1960
§ Morning Reports for the U.S. Army (1912-1973) and U.S. Air Force (1947-1963)
§ Army Chaplain Files (1917-1950)
§ Deceased and War Casualty Seaman’s Records (1937-1950)
· Civilian Records
o Official Personnel Folders (OPF) and service record cards for individuals who separated from government service prior to April 1951.
Personnel folders are specific to individuals and contain information about employees’ careers with the federal government as well as family history and former educational and professional pursuits.
o Individual Records of those who served as enrollees with the Civilian Conservation Corps
o Assignment, employment, and termination slips for those who served with the Works Progress Administration
· For more information on the holdings at NARA at St. Louis, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/st-
o For additional information about military records that are available for public research, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/st-
o For additional information about civilian records that are available for public research, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/st-
o For additional information about the records of Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/st-
Submit proposals by e-mail or mail. Either must be received by March 15, 2013. Awards will be announced May 1, 2013.
What to Send:
* A description and justification for the project, not to exceed six pages. This proposal should include:
* a description of the records to be used for research (There should be enough records in the targeted location to warrant a research visit of at least one week.);
* a listing of the records that will be used at the location;
* the proposed final product; and
* the significance of the project to historical scholarship.
* Please also include the following with your proposal:
* Vita (no more than three pages) including current contact information; and
* Two letters of recommendation.
Proposals should be sent by mail or electronic to:
National Archives at St. Louis
2013 Fellowship Program
Attn: Ashley Mattingly (RL-SL)
P.O. Box 38757
St. Louis, MO 63138
