It’s not just me–there’s actually a selection committee involved. And there are definitely strings attached. But if you are a professor or graduate student who wants to do some research in the collections at UNLV, you might be interested in this:
The Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas http://gaming.unlv.edu invites graduate students and academic faculty to apply for month-long residency fellowships. Fellows will spend one month doing research at UNLV Special Collections. Although primarily in English, the holdings include many texts in French, German, and Italian. This, the largest gambling library in the world, spans the 17th to 21st centuries and includes manuscript collections, casino corporate archives, promotional and publicity files, and government publications.
What you get
•A $4,000 stipend to cover housing and expenses
•Desk space in the UNLV Special Collections Reading Room
What you give
•One month’s residency in Las Vegas
•A public lecture relating to your research near the end of your residency
•Ultimately, a publication article, chapter or book that showcases your research
Who’s eligible
Both faculty and ABD graduate students are encouraged to apply. Applicants primarily represent the fields of history, economics, English, history, sociology, and anthropology, though those from all disciplines with relevant research interests are encouraged to apply. Suggested fields of research include Las Vegas history, the history of gambling, and comparative studies of gambling in literature, history, and society.
Before applying please learn as much as you can about the scope of the collections—priority will be given to applicants who specify collections they plan to use. Visit the Center website for more information about the program, past fellows, and the collections.
If you’re eligible, I strongly encourage you to apply. Even if you’re not, you’ll be able to hear the talks of the fellows in the UNLV Gaming podcast series.