AGSL Research Fellowships

The AGSL fellowship program was created to give scholars from around the world an opportunity to pursue their work in proximity to a distinguished collection of primary sources. Approximately 4-8 fellowships are awarded each year for periods of time usually ranging from two to four weeks. Fellowships are available for any qualified researcher, the main criteria for appointment being the merit and significance of the candidate’s proposal, the qualifications of the candidate, and the relevance of the project to the holdings of the Library and the potential shown by the candidate for creative utilization of the Library’s resources.

As the former research library and map collection of the
American Geographical Society of New York, the Library has strengths in geography, cartography and related historical topics. The Library maintains a wide variety of hard to find primary and secondary resources including:

  • books
  • archives
  • photos
  • maps
  • atlases
  • globes
  • data
  • an extensive serial collection

In addition, researchers benefit from access to the UWM Libraries print and online collections during their residency. Not all AGSL materials are listed in the online catalog, but finding aids and professional staff are available to assist applicants and researchers.


AGSL K-12 Teacher Fellowship

Teacher Fellowships are closed until the spring of 2025.

The AGSL Teacher Fellowship provides current Wisconsin K–12 teachers with the opportunity to utilize the American Geographical Society Library’s vast resources to develop new, or to enhance existing, curriculum.   The proposed curriculum should have a global emphasis related to any discipline(s).  Exemplary educators will be awarded for their commitment to promoting excellence in geographic education. At the completion of the fellowship, the curriculum will be shared via the AGSL’s website and in any other manner the Fellows find valuable.

Additionally, we can work with you to ensure that work completed for the fellowship can be applied to obtaining relevant micro-credentials from the National Education Association. Three fellowships will be awarded, and preference will be given to teachers from Milwaukee Public Schools, though all Wisconsin teachers are encouraged to apply. The fellowship period will be negotiated after selection.  

Fellows will be paid $3,000 during a 4-6 week period. Fellowships can be completed between mid-June and mid-August. Half of the payment will be awarded mid-fellowship and the other half will be awarded when the curricular resources and required close-out survey have been submitted. Selected Fellows will receive a Form 1099 documenting the fellowship payment and will be responsible for reporting the income accordingly.  

This fellowship will be completed in a hybrid format, with at least one day per week in-person at the AGSL. The weekly in-person day creates an opportunity to collaborate with other fellows, engage in a weekly meeting with the AGSL’s Public Services Librarian, and view collection items in person. Staff support will be available to digitize resources for fellowship projects and to answer questions.

If you are interested in learning more about the program and collections at the AGSL, please email Georgia Brown at browngl@uwm.edu with any questions.