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Law Library of Congress Applications for the 2026 Guggenheim Scholars Program Deadline Extended 

The Law Library of Congress is inviting applications for the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Legal Scholars Program. The deadline for accepting applications has been extended to February 1, 2026.

The purpose of this program is to fund a scholar whose research will draw upon the Law Library’s world-class collections, target new acquisitions, and leverage the Law Library's staff expertise. The focus of the program is to create new research at the intersection of demography, technology, and criminal justice. This research will generate benchmarks, metrics, best practices, and possible solutions to some of the emerging legal issues that fall at the intersection of these fields. The program will encourage a multidisciplinary and multinational approach for the greatest impact.

Eligibility

• Scholars who have received a graduate degree or have equivalent experience within the past seven years in criminal justice, law, demography, data science, or data analytics are eligible to apply.
• This fellowship is open to U.S. nationals, non-U.S. residents, foreign nationals, and non-resident aliens. While non-U.S. residents, foreign nationals, or non-resident aliens may apply for the Guggenheim Scholars program, receipt of an award will be contingent on an individual's eligibility for and the ability to secure any necessary visas prior to starting the program and receiving payment.

Program Expectations

• The scholar must spend a minimum of five days on-site at the Law Library to conduct their research in June, July, or August of 2026.
• At the conclusion of their research over the course of June, July, and August of 2026, we ask that the scholar produce a presentation, publication, or article that summarizes their findings.
• The scholar will receive a stipend of $5,000 for their research that may be used to fund their travel to the Library of Congress.
• The scholar may receive assistance from Law Library staff and also have the opportunity to participate in a Law Library of Congress event panel discussion, such as Human Rights Day.

How to Apply

To apply, please send the following application materials to lawresearch@loc.gov:

• A current CV/Resume
• A list of publications
• A list of references
• A one-page project proposal that includes details on how the Law Library of Congress's collections can support your research

Deadline

Application materials must be received by February 1, 2026 to be considered for the program in the summer of 2026.

Visas

Foreign nationals (not United States Citizens or Permanent Residents) awarded Library of Congress fellowships for research in the U.S. may be eligible for a Library-sponsored exchange visitor visa (category J-1). Even if it would otherwise be possible for a foreign visitor to enter the U.S. without this type of visa, it is the most appropriate category for Library-provided fellowship opportunities.

The Library's Contracts and Grants Directorate will provide documents necessary to apply for the J-1 visa. If you are selected for a Library of Congress fellowship, please email visas@loc.gov to request the documents. In the email, include the information provided in the Library’s offer letter.

Foreign nationals already in the U.S. on visas obtained through or sponsored by other institutions should send an email to visas@loc.gov to obtain guidance on eligibility under existing visas. Do not email any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) to visas@loc.gov. The Library will send you information on how to provide information after we receive your email. Please note that individuals with H-1B visas are not eligible for Library opportunities, and all other visa types will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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