Opportunities

26/27 Research Fellowship

Boulanger Initiative is seeking Research Fellows for the 2026–2027 academic year. The Boulanger Initiative Research Fellowship is designed to provide hands-on experience for individuals interested in careers related to musicology, arts administration, research, and social justice. Fellows work closely with BI's Research and Education teams while developing archival research, writing, and digital humanities skills in service of promoting and preserving the work of women and gender-marginalized composers.

The Fellowship will run from October 15, 2026 – June 24, 2027, with scheduled breaks throughout the year that align with BI office closures. The Fellowship is fully remote, with meetings taking place via Zoom or Google Meet. Fellows are expected to contribute an average of eight (8) hours per week.

APPLY HERE

Description

Research Fellows will:

  • Receive onboarding and training in BI's research methodologies, database standards, and project workflows.

  • Conduct archival and historical research on women and gender-marginalized composers and their works using scholarly publications, library collections, archival materials, and primary sources.

  • Participate in professional development sessions led by BI staff on topics such as grant writing, fundraising, marketing, communications, nonprofit leadership, and career development.

  • Receive mentorship through bi-weekly virtual meetings, research discussions with affiliated scholars and industry professionals, and collaborative co-working sessions with BI staff and fellow cohort members.

Projects may include:

  • Researching, documenting, and entering composer and repertoire records into the Boulanger Initiative Database (BID).

  • Contributing written content for blogs, educational materials, social media, or other organizational projects.

  • Pursuing specialized research projects aligned with each Fellow's individual interests and expertise, as appropriate.

Qualifications

  • Current graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career professionals are preferred; upper-level undergraduate students are also encouraged to apply.

  • Strong academic research background; coursework or degrees in musicology or related fields preferred.

  • Familiarity with music archives, research databases, libraries, publishers, or similar research resources.

  • Experience with metadata or database management (such as Airtable or similar platforms) is preferred.

  • Reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages in a musical context is helpful, but not required.

  • Proficiency with Google Workspace.

  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Required Application Materials

  • Cover Letter

  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

  • Writing Sample

    • An academic paper (or excerpt), journal article, or blog post no longer than eight (8) pages (PDF format). The sample should relate to music, music history, musicology, music education, gender equity, DEIA, or another topic connected to BI's mission. Please include a bibliography or works cited page.

  • Research Statement

    • A 1–2 page statement describing your research background, current and past research projects, and future research interests.

Honorarium & Eligibility

Research Fellows are eligible to receive a $1,500 honorarium, distributed in equal installments throughout the Fellowship, upon successful completion of an average commitment of eight (8) hours per week.

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.

  • Be legally authorized to work as an independent contractor (1099) with a valid TIN and Form W-9.

Please note that the Research Fellowship is a 1099 independent contractor position and is not eligible for employee benefits.

Application Timeline

  • Applications Open: September 9, 2026

  • Application Deadline: September 18, 2026

  • Interviews: September 29 - October 5, 2026

  • Decisions Released: By October 9, 2026

  • Fellowship Begins: October 15, 2026

APPLY HERE

 

Boulanger Initiative’s employment decisions are made based on the needs of the organization and the qualifications of the applicants and employees. Boulanger Initiative subscribes to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, or political affiliation.