Blogs

By Kayla Harris

The Marian Library and the International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) are pleased to announce that applications are being accepted through Jan. 10 for summer 2025 Marian fellowships. These three short-term fellowships support research and artistic creation using the Marian Library’s collections and the expertise of the International Marian Research Institute. The fellowships, made possible through a gift from the Marianist Province of the United States and additional support from the Marian Library and the International Marian Research Institute, illustrate the continued partnership between the Marian Library and IMRI to promote scholarship in Marian theology and related topics.

VISITING SCHOLAR FELLOWSHIP

Open to postdoctoral scholars, academics, independent scholars, artists, curators and professionals in libraries, archives and museum fields, this fellowship comes with an award of $3,000 plus $1,000 toward travel, living and/or research expenses for those traveling more than 100 miles. The award must be used between May 12 and July 18, 2025, and the fellow must reside in the Dayton area during their fellowship for two to four weeks. The fellow will also be asked to document their experience working with the collection for the Marian Library blog.

GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIP

The graduate student fellowship is open to master’s and doctoral students from the University of Dayton or other academic institutions. It comes with an award of $3,000 plus $1,000 toward travel, living and/or research expenses for those traveling more than 100 miles to use for two to four weeks between May 12 and July 18, 2025.

Inaugural graduate scholar Giovanna Sarto, a doctoral candidate in religious studies at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in Brazil, used Marian Library collections to research Black Madonnas. Specifically, she focused on the patron saint of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida, whose iconography and devotion offer a backdrop for exploring themes related to social justice and liberation. She said the fellowship “was transformative, not only because of the direct impact on my research, but also because of my personal and linguistic development. My experience in the program highlighted the need for greater international circulation of Brazilian academic production and inspired me to continue building international networks.” 

RESIDENT SCHOLAR FELLOWSHIP

Open to any University of Dayton faculty, this four- to eight-week residency carries a stipend of $3,000 and supports research or artistic creation with the Marian Library’s collections between May 12 and July 18, 2025. The Marian Library collections can be of value for many disciplines and, in addition to supporting research and artistic creation, may also inspire pedagogical design.

ABOUT THE MARIAN LIBRARY AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Founded in 1943 by the Society of Mary, the Marian Library is an internationally recognized collection of materials connected to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Serving the research needs of students and faculty at the University of Dayton and scholars around the world, the collections include books, periodicals, archival material, artworks and religious artifacts. 

The International Marian Research Institute was launched in 1974 to promote Marian scholarship and utilize the resources of the Marian Library. IMRI is part of the College of Arts and Sciences and honors the commitment of the University and the Marianists to advancing Marian studies. 

HOW TO APPLY

Application materials and more information about Marian Library resources can be found on the Marian Fellowships website. Applicants are encouraged to email marianfellowships@udayton.edu to discuss collections and resources that may support their proposed projects.

— Kayla Harris is an associate professor and the director of the Marian Library.