The AHRC International Placement Scheme (IPS) provides fellowships for doctoral students and early career researchers to conduct research at internationally renowned institutions. The IPS started in 2005 and has placed over 270 fellows across 6 host institutions, including the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institute, National Institutes for the Humanities in Japan, Huntington Library, Harry Ransom Center, and Yale Center for British Art. In 2015, Shanghai Theatre Academy was added as a new host. The IPS aims to provide dedicated access to host collections and resources, enhance scholars' research, and create networking opportunities. Applicants must be in receipt of AHRC or ESRC funding and conduct research relevant to their funding within an AHRC/ESRC subject area

1. AHRC International
Placement Scheme
(IPS)
Sam Lambshead & Allie Brown, AHRC
November 2014

2. History of the IPS
• Started in 2005 with Library of Congress (LoC). Launched jointly with ESRC. Open to doctoral
students, post-doc fellows and RAs
• 2008 National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU), Japan, joined as a separate but analogous AHRC-only
scheme; same applicant eligibility as LoC
• 2005 to 2011: 153 LoC & NIHU awards – average 22 p/year
As AHRC international activities evolved, it became possible to provide more opportunities based on
LoC/NIHU model:
• 2012 Huntington joined; scheme re-launched as IPS; Early career researchers admitted
• 2014: 3 new hosts – Harry Ransom Center at University of Texas at Austin, Smithsonian Institute
and Yale Center for British Art. 55 IPS fellowships across 6 hosts.
• 2015: New China host TBC (Shanghai Theatre Academy)
• Approx 270 IPS awards made to date. Approx 60 available in 2015/16
• Annual feedback from fellows so scheme is constantly improving: pre-placement networking;
stipend and travel increases

3. Aims of the Scheme
Three main aims:
1. Provide dedicated access to the internationally renowned
research collections/ programmes/ expertise held at the
scheme institutions
2. Through such access, to enhance the depth, range and
quality of research activities conducted by scholars
3. Create opportunities for networking with other
international scholars at those institutions

4. Library of Congress, (LoC)
Washington, D.C.
• Largest library in the world
– More than 158 million items on 838 miles of bookshelves
– 36+ million books and print materials
– 3.5m recordings, 13.7m photographs, 5.5m maps, 6.7m pieces of sheet music and 69m
manuscripts
• An IPS host since 2005. 225 IPS fellowships to date
• Based in the Kluge (Kloogey) Centre
• Scholars given their own study ‘cubicle’ for the duration of their stay – includes PC, printing
etc
• Scholars assigned an @LoC email address – can be very helpful
• Networking & collaboration opportunities are actively encouraged – Scholars are asked to
present a ‘work in progress’ talk and ‘brown bag’ lunch together.
• Overwhelmingly positive feedback for both the facilities and the staff - Mary Lou Reker

6. Smithsonian Institute ,
Washington D.C. & NYC
• World's largest research and museum complex
• SI consists of 19 museums and galleries, and nine research
centers
• Over 137 million artefacts, works of art and Specimens.
• The scope of the collections is huge - from Egyptian Canopic Jars
to live panda cubs!
• Not just collections - The Smithsonian is a world leader in the
field of protecting and preserving artefacts
• Joined IPS from 2014 – 5 IPS fellows appointed for 2014/15
• Fellows to identify an ‘advisor’ before applying

7. Smithsonian Institutes
Museums (and Zoo!)
• African American History and Culture Museum
• African Art Museum
• Air and Space Museum
• Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center
• American Art Museum
• American History Museum
• American Indian Museum
• Anacostia Community Museum
• Arts and Industries Building
• Freer Gallery of Art
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• National Zoo
• Natural History Museum
• Portrait Gallery
• Postal Museum
• Renwick Gallery
• Sackler Gallery
• Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (NY)
Research Centres
• Archives of American Art
• Museum Conservation Institute (MCI)
• Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
(SCBI)
• Smithsonian Environmental Research
Center (SERC)
• Smithsonian Institution Archives
• Smithsonian Institution Libraries (SIL)
• Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
• Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
(STRI)

9. National Institutes for the
Humanities (NIHU), Japan
Six Inter-University Research Institutes supporting academic research on culture and humanities:
1. Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (2 IPS places currently available)
2. International Research Centre for Japanese Studies (2 IPS places available)
3. National Museum of Ethnology (2 IPS places available)
4. National Museum of Japanese History (2 IPS places available)
5. National Institute of Japanese Literature (1 IPS place available)
6. National Institute of Japanese Language and Linguistics (2 IPS places available)
National repositories of cultural materials. NIHU compiles and presents the research results through exhibitions, printed and
online publications, databases, and other media  make them widely available in and outside Japan, to contribute to the
broader advancement of scholarship.
• IPS fellows based at one of the six NIHU Institutes - mainly in/around Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto
• Scholars given their own study area
• Scholars assigned a supervisor/mentor
• Networking & collaboration opportunities actively encouraged
Japanese language skills compulsory for National Institute for Japanese Literature (NIJL) and to the National Museum of
Japanese History (NMJH). Conversational Japanese advantageous but not compulsory for other institutes.
NIHU applications generally low (small subject area; language (although now relaxed) = high application V success rate
Candidates must contact NIHU before applying to check collections, language etc – details in NIHU guidance
Research likely to be Japanese/Asian based, exception of NME- excellent for museum studies (and no language required)

11. Huntington Library, Art Collections
and Botanical Gardens, CA
World-leading cultural, research and educational centre. A private, non-profit
institution, founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptionally successful
businessman with a special interest in books, art, and gardens.
Library
• One of the world’s great independent research libraries, specializing in British and
American history and literature, and the history of science, medicine and
technology.
• Also, medieval manuscripts, books printed before 1501, maps, travel literature and
the American Southwest.
• Works span 11th century to the present, with the greatest concentration in the
English Renaissance.
• 7 million manuscripts, 410,000 rare books, 270,000 general collection books, 1.3
million photos, prints, ephemera.
• Collections large and diverse and some remain uncatalogued - undiscovered
treasures.
• IPS host since 2012

13. Harry Ransom Center,
University of Texas at Austin
• Joined IPS from 2014 – 8 IPS fellows appointed for 2014/15
• Candidates MUST contact HRC before applying to check proposed research – details in application
guidance
• World-leading research institution and museum, dedicated to advancing the study of the arts and
humanities by acquiring, preserving, and making accessible original cultural materials.
• Specialises in literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts
• Collections include: 42 million manuscripts; nearly one million rare books; 5 million photographs;
100,000 works of art and design; as well as major collections in film and the performing arts.
• Some highlights include: Magnum photo archive
The Watergate papers
Three Shakespeare First Folios
Paintings by Kahlo and Picasso
The archives of Robert De Nero, Tom
Stoppard, Norman Mailer, David
Selznick and…
Manuscripts of David Foster Wallace,
Lewis Carol and Doris Lessing
…Aleister Crowley

15. Yale Centre For British Art, New
Haven, Connecticut
A Public Art Museum and research institute
Home to the largest collection of British art outside the UK
Houses Four Collections Departments:
• Paintings and Sculpture
• Prints and Drawings
• Rare books and Manuscripts
• Reference Library and Archive
Collections from 1700-1850 are particularly strong. Highlights include:
• Works by Stubbs, Turner, Hogarth and Gainsborough
• The sole extant colour plates of Blake’s Jerusalem.
• The only surviving map of Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe
Collections will be of interest to social historians as well as art historians – Amanda Vickery has made
extensive use of them
In addition to these collections, the Center houses two modern facilities for the conservation and
restoration of works of art and manuscripts
Joined IPS from 2014 – 4 IPS fellows appointed for 2014

17. Shanghai Theatre Academy
• Up to 4 fellowships available, to start from Sept 2015
• Established almost 70 years, a world-leading performing arts university - focus on theatre training and studies.
• 2500 students over three campuses: four departments (Department of Acting, Department of Stage Design,
Department of Directing, and Department of Dramatic Literature), and four colleges (College of Chinese Opera,
College of Dance, College of Film & Television, and College of Creativity Studies).
• Two professional theatres on campus; extensive studios; also two key national professional pre-college schools
affiliated to STA: the Chinese Opera School and the Dance School
• Used to hosting international scholars - established exchange programme & summer school
• Practice-led rather than collections-based
• Chinese language skills advantageous but not compulsory – much performance is non-spoken. Fully paid language
course an innovative part of the STA IPS fellowship. AHRC arranges and pays for 2 week course before fellowship
starts and for its duration.
• STA happy to receive all applications in its remit - especially welcomes those in Chinese Opera & Chinese Theatre
• Shared accommodation can be provided by STA or RCUK China office can help to find accommodation.
• Candidates to contact STA before applying to discuss their proposed research, language requirements & appropriate
dates – will all be in application guidance

19. IPS Alumni Feedback
I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND ANYONE CONSIDERING APPLYING TO GO FOR IT!
The IPS was a welcome break from teaching and administration.
The library is remarkably accommodating with unique material.
I would highly recommend the IPS... A truly unique research experience.
The IPS added significant elements to my project that could not have been provided elsewhere.
It's a great opportunity and provides a real taste of what a career in academia can lead to.
There is a real atmosphere of an academic community; the atmosphere is friendly and collegiate… staff went out of their way to help.
I am keen to recommend the scheme and take further opportunities in the future.
The collections are so vast that they’re incomparable to my University library.
The library is exceptional and awe-inspiring !
The librarians are a resource in themselves: highly knowledgeable of their subject and the collections, and always helpful.
The ‘brown bag’ lunches were a great way to talk to scholars from a wide range of disciplines and get suggestions from new perspectives.
The IPS award was crucial to my studies.
I had my own work cubicle and was given staff borrowing rights and unlimited printing credit.
My institute was very helpful in helping me settle in and remained conscientious about my welfare throughout.
Spending four months abroad was an amazing experience!
There are scholars from all over the world, working on a vast range of things, all of whom are friendly and who you can chat to over lunch
or during coffee breaks.
I have established close friendships and contacts.
It's a great opportunity to bolster your research or develop a deeper background knowledge of your subject in a wonderful setting.
I WISH I HAD APPLIED TO STAY FOR LONGER!

20. Benefits of IPS to Applicants
• Fellowships between 2 and 6 months depending on the host
• £1200 monthly living allowance, plus £600-£800 for travel (location dependent); AHRC/ESRC stipend continues
• Visa costs paid; IPS host will sponsor your visa application paperwork
• Some hosts can help fellows find accommodation
• Access to host institute’s collections, resources, facilities and scholars/curators – many not available in UK/ROW
• An office or working space - LoC private cubicle, PC , free printing etc
• Networking & collaboration encouraged e.g. presentation of work & ‘Brown bag lunches’; Huntington reading
room closes at lunch
• Potential to forge international contacts and collaborations
• Opportunities for participation in conferences, seminars, classes etc
• Adds value to current and future research - can be career/life changing
• Introduction to non-UK research environment – increasingly identified by applicants as part of career plan
• AHRC have created relationships with institutions - saves you having to
• Association with the institution ‘opens doors’ not available to independent researcher – LoC email address, books
delivered to your desk, take books home etc
• Membership of a cohort of international scholars
• Support from hosts with a history of hosting international fellows
• Prestigious awards - IPS ‘Club’ – IPS friendships and networks; AHRC monitor, case studies, invite to events etc
• Looks great on your CV. Make you stand out from other candidates – alumni report ‘impact’ years on
• Fellows arrange travel, visas & accommodation, although accommodation sometimes provided

21. Benefits of IPS to Host Institutions
1. Institutions’ own remit to further research. They want collections to
be used and publicised – both within academy and external – public
events & engagement
2. IPS fellows can advise on gaps in collections and enhance
institutions’ staff knowledge
3. Some collections are uncatalogued – IPS fellows can unearth buried
treasures
4. Active research collaboration on some awards – e.g. if studentship
is attached to Research Grant
Bear in mind when making application – esp 1

22. 2015/16 Places Available & Dates
Harry
Ransom
Center
Huntington LOC NIHU Smithsonian
*Yale Center for British Art is closed for refurbishment before 1st Feb 2016
Institute
Yale Center
for British
Art
Shanghai
Theatre
Academy
Who Can
Apply
AHRC AHRC AHRC &
ESRC
AHRC AHRC AHRC AHRC
Number Of IPS
Fellowships
5 10 40 11 5 2 - 4 4
IPS Duration 2 – 3 months 3 – 6 months 3 – 6 months 3 – 6
months
3 – 6 months 3 – 5
months
3 – 4 months
2015/16 IPS
Fellowship
Dates Must
Start And End
Between
1st Sept 2015 –
31st May 2016
1st July 2015 –
30th June 2016
1st Oct 2015 -
30th Sept 2016
(start date
must be 1st
working
Monday)
1st July 2015 –
30th June 2016
1st Oct 2015 -
30th Sept 2016
2nd Feb 2016 –
30th June
2016*
1st Sept 2015 -
31st Dec 2015
& 1st March
2016 - 30th
June 2016

23. Application Eligibility
• Doctoral students applying to all IPS hosts must be in receipt of current AHRC or ESRC funding. That funding must must be in place at the
time of application until at least the end of the IPS fellowship; this disqualifies PhD students in their unfunded writing up year. ESRC
students may only apply to The Library of Congress.
• Early Career Researchers applying to NIHU & STA must meet AHRC ECR eligibility criteria, as outlined in AHRC Funding Guide
• Early Career Researchers applying to all other hosts must meet AHRC ECR eligibility criteria, as outlined in AHRC Funding Guide
AND MUST EITHER:
- hold, or have previously held AHRC funding, including postgraduate funding
OR
- have formally worked, or be currently working as a researcher on an AHRC-funded research project
• IPS research must be in an AHRC/ESRC subject area/s and be relevant to applicant’s current AHRC/ESRC research. If doing PhD, IPS
research should be part of it not additional.
• No extra time awarded to existing awards for current award holders
• Applicants must be going to do primary research; fellowships may not be used for writing up
• Full and part-time (IPS must be full time); full and fees-only
• IPS alumni may reapply- to different host & once as PhD & ECR
• Resubmission of a previously unsuccessful application is permitted – take note of feedback
• Multiple applications are permitted, but must be distinct, specific to institution, and non-concurrent
Please check the IPS webpages for full eligibility requirements.

24. How to Apply
• Open for applications 10th November 2014
• Launch announced on website, twitter, email etc
• Online applications via J-eS – jointly submitted by RO & student (see guidance)
• The AHRC does not accept applications directly from students: the application may not be in the
student’s name and the student’s RO must submit the application on their student’s behalf.
Student applicants must contact their RO to check their internal J-eS submission process.
• Applicant form consists of applicant statement, supervisor statement & academic CV. Huntington
also needs secondary academic reference (see guidance)
• Mock application form on IPS webpage
• MUST follow the host-specific application guidance on IPS webpages; also helptext on J-eS
• Application deadline 15th January 2015
• Outcomes April/May/June 2015 depending on the institution (see application guidance)

25. Assessment
‘Light touch’ – applicants already receive AHRC/ESRC funding
- Applications peer reviewed by host institutions
- AHRC moderate applications and reviews and make funding decision – outcomes April/May/June
TBC  July/Sept/Oct earliest possible start dates depending on host
• Proposed research must be demonstrably relevant to institutions collections/ programmes/
expertise
• Must ‘add value’ to the existing work of the applicant
• Personal development opportunities through networking with the institute’s other research
scholars
• Effective use of the candidate’s time and at appropriate point in research/career
• Application must demonstrate appropriate skills

26. Application Advice
• Quality of applications received is high, so competition will be tough
• Refer to the application guidance and grading scale; ensure your application demonstrates how you
meet all the criteria
• Relevance of collections is key: research and SPECIFICALLY identify the collections/ programmes/
expertise you wish to access and why - especially if unique or rare
• Contact institutions’ curators/librarians prior to applying – compulsory for some hosts (see guidance)
• Show that the proposed work relates directly to and enhances your existing project
• Time spent at the institution must be of appropriate length and at appropriate time in career/research
• Address potential networking or personal development opportunities; additional skills
• Can you can be ‘of value’ to the host institution as well as the placement being of ‘value’ to your
research?
• Highlight skills such as language expertise where appropriate (e.g. for some NIHU institutions, or if
you are going to research collections written in a language other than English)

27. THE IPS HAS THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE
OF ANY AHRC SCHEME, EVER.
Averages over 60% success rate,
with 42% in 2013!
-Application quality increases annually

28. IPS Contacts
www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/InternationalPlacementScheme.aspx
• Laura Bones: NIHU & Harry Ransom Center
• Nathan Tuffin: Smithsonian & Huntington
• Gill Gray: STA & Yale Center for British Art
• Allie Brown: Library of Congress
ips@ahrc.ac.uk