Balliol-Bodley Scholarship

Balliol and the Bodleian Library jointly established this scholarship to enable a suitable Balliol graduate student to work as an intern at the Bodleian. The Scholar is required to volunteer 48 hours (averaging six hours per week during term) of supervised work among the extraordinarily rich archives of the Bodleian. The primary aim in making the award will be closely to match the Bodleian’s own resources to the Scholar’s academic interests. The project normally takes place in Hilary Term.

Benefits to the Balliol-Bodley Scholar:

  • gaining valuable work experience in original research and in the use of Special Collections
  • participating in the behind-the-scenes activity of one of the world’s top libraries
  • potentially publishing a paper and/or incorporating findings into personal research
  • attending (free of charge) events organised by the Bodleian Library (for example, symposia organised by the Centre for the Study of the book)
  • receiving copies of the Bodleian’s monthly Special Collections Bulletin
  • representing Balliol in Bodley!

Roles of the Balliol-Bodley Scholar:

1) For approximately six hours a week during Hilary Term (or an equivalent period), the Balliol-Bodley Scholar will be responsible for helping to sort, identify and arrange documents in the Bodleian Library, under the supervision of a permanent member of library staff. An introduction to the library and to the archival processes required will be given by one of the manuscript librarians. 

2) On completing work, the Scholar will usually write a short account of the collection in question which would be circulated as part of the Bodleian’s internal Special Collections Bulletin, and might also be submitted for possible publication in the Bodleian Library Record and the Balliol alumni magazine, Floreat Domus.

3) The Balliol-Bodley Scholar may organise a visit to the Bodleian Library for interested members of Balliol to view what has been achieved, as well as to see a selection of library treasures, usually on a Tuesday of Trinity Term, to be followed by a Tuesday Hall.

Type of award
Academic or academic-related
Eligibility or selection criteria

Any Balliol graduate student. Applicants will be asked to explain how the scholarship fits in with their research activities and plans.

Amount awarded

£250, with an additional sum of £100 being available for activities related to the work undertaken.

How and when to apply

The Scholarship is usually advertised by email to Balliol graduate students towards the end of Michaelmas Term. Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter, explaining how the scholarship fits in with their research activities and plans.

Further information

See also the page about the projects of previous Balliol-Bodley Scholars

If you have any queries about the Balliol-Bodley Scholarship, please contact the Senior Tutor.

Funding source(s)

The funding for the Balliol-Bodley Scholarship comes from private benefaction as well as from Balliol and the Bodleian, and was initiated by Gillian Einhorn (Balliol 2007).