Research Fellowships

About the Fellowships

Since 2014, The Image Centre has provided various fellowships for photography research. Research fellows can study The Image Centre’s photography collections firsthand. These collections include the Black Star Collection, a historic and fine art photography collection, and several archives of diverse photographers like Werner Wolff, Jo Spence, Wendy Snyder MacNeil, and Berenice Abbott. In 2025, The Image Centre will offer four competitive photography research fellowships.

Terms of Application

Applicants should read the guidelines carefully and apply to the relevant fellowship based on their study subject and eligibility. Artists and scholars aiming for artistic research should apply for the Tanenbaum Fellowship. Past IMC Fellowship winners cannot reapply for five years. Incomplete or multiple fellowship applications will not be considered. Fellowships are open to Canadian and international applicants.

Fellowship Details

The Nadir Mohamed Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Stipend: $10,000 CAD
• Eligibility: PhD holders
• Research Duration: 1 to 3 months between February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026
• Research Location: The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections

The Penny Rubinoff Fellowship

• Stipend: $5,000 CAD
• Eligibility: Master’s degree holders, including PhD students or candidates (excluding PhD holders or postdoctoral researchers)
• Research Duration: 2 to 6 weeks between February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026
• Research Location: The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections

The Elaine Ling Fellowship

• Stipend: $4,000 CAD
• Eligibility: Recent master’s degree graduates or current master’s degree students (excluding PhD students or postdoctoral researchers)
• Research Duration: 1 to 4 weeks between February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026
• Research Location: The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections

The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship for Artistic Research

• Stipend: $4,000 CAD
• Eligibility: Candidates with any level of education or independent artists with relevant experience
• Research Duration: 1 to 4 weeks between February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026
• Research Location: The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections

Application Submissions

Applications, including reference letters, must be emailed to imagecentre.research@torontomu.ca by September 30, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST. The application should include:

1. A project proposal (approx. 1,000 words) indicating the subject, originality, foundation in the collections, and applicant’s scholarly abilities.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. One sample of written work (max 20 pages). Artists applying to the Tanenbaum Fellowship may submit a film/video work (max 10 minutes) or a portfolio of images (max 10) instead.
4. One letter of recommendation emailed directly by the referee.

The first three components should be in one PDF document named FirstnameLastname2025-Application.pdf. If submitting a film/video work, include a link in the email and name the PDF FirstnameLastname2025-Application.pdf. Indicate the fellowship name in the subject line: Application for IMC 2025 Fellowship.

Selection Process

A committee will evaluate applications based on quality, originality, and foundation in the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections. The selection committee includes IMC staff and external scholars.

Fellowship Conditions

Research must occur in Toronto, Canada, between February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Fellows must cover travel and accommodation costs. The stipend is meant to offset these costs. Non-Canadian fellows must obtain necessary travel visas.

Fellows will have access to the IMC’s Peter Higdon Research Centre and TMU Archives and Special Collections. Some items may not be available for consultation; inquire in advance.

Fellowship Report

Each fellow must submit a two-page report summarizing their research within one month of completing their fellowship. The report should include:

1. Initial research objectives.
2. Description of photographs analyzed.
3. Resources accessed.
4. Main research findings.

Stipend Disbursement

• The Nadir Mohamed Postdoctoral Fellowship: $10,000 CAD (paid in three installments)
• The Penny Rubinoff Fellowship: $5,000 CAD (paid in two installments)
• The Elaine Ling Fellowship: $4,000 CAD (paid in two installments)
• The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship: $4,000 CAD (paid in two installments)

Successful applicants must comply with tax regulations under Canadian law and their country of residence laws.

About The Image Centre

The Image Centre, part of Toronto Metropolitan University, engages with the academic and photography communities through exhibitions, research programs, and its photography collection. The IMC offers a museum-standard facility with exhibition space, a research centre, and a lecture hall.