The Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) Undergraduate Summer Internship offered by the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum in Philadelphia provides an opportunity for three talented undergraduates to conduct research, to explore career possibilities in archives and special collections, and to learn about advanced training in Native American and Indigenous Studies and related fields.

The internship will take place in the summer of 2020, and interns will receive a stipend of between $3,000-$3,500 depending on housing costs. The deadline for applications is Friday, February 14, 2020. Further information about the internship and application process can be found below:

The APS Library & Museum has rich and varied collections related to over 650 different Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas. Working with mentors, interns will develop their own archives-based projects or pursue research projects identified by the Indigenous communities with which the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR) interacts and collaborates.

The 2020 NASI Summer Internship will take place from June 7 to August 1, 2020. During this time students will work at the APS Library & Museum and will also have the opportunity to share their work. NASI Summer Interns will join a vibrant intellectual community at the APS that includes other scholars working with Native American and Indigenous materials as well as undergraduate summer interns and Library & Museum fellows from different scholarly fields.

Interns will receive a stipend ranging between $3000 and $3500 (depending on housing costs). Several college campuses in Philadelphia offer summer housing for interns; the APS will work with NASI interns to identify housing and will help facilitate payment. Additionally, the internship includes a travel allowance.

The Native American Scholars Initiative (NASI) is funded by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. NASI supports research in the field of Native American and Indigenous Studies and related fields by undergraduates, Native American scholars, Tribal College faculty members, and researchers who work closely with archives and Native communities.

The Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at the American Philosophical Society Library focuses on helping Indigenous communities and scholars to discover and utilize the APS collections in innovative ways. For more information, please visit https://www.amphilsoc.org/library/CNAIR

To apply:

Undergraduates currently enrolled at institutions of higher education should submit the following materials via Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/69444) by Friday February 14, 2020:

  • a resume or curriculum vitae
  • two letters of reference
  • a single document containing three short essays addressing each of the following (250 words each): summary of academic background; a statement of interest in the internship; a statement of involvement with a Native American community or Native American and Indigenous issues

Decisions will be announced by April 2020. Questions about the NASI internship program should be directed to libfellows@amphilsoc.org or 215-440-3400.