Fellowship Program

Developing a language archive is a long-term commitment requiring extensive resources and years of meticulous effort. A well-functioning archive is essential for supporting language revitalization, but the true impact comes from its application in research and education.

The National Breath of Life Fellowship Program is dedicated to empowering communities to bring their archival materials to life, integrating them into community education and revitalization initiatives.

The process of archive development and implementation follows three major phases, as outlined in the National BoL philology model. Recognizing the complexity of this work, National BoL has designed a Fellowship Program to assist communities in successfully navigating the final phase—weaving language archival resources into revitalization efforts.

The National Breath of Life Fellowship Program

As communities incorporate archival materials into their revitalization strategies, they require training that is flexible, iterative, and responsive to their unique needs. There is no universal approach—each community must adapt these practices to fit its specific context. The National BoL Fellowship Program is designed to support this process by equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to develop and implement archival content into projects that enhance language use within their communities.

Through the Fellowship, participants will collaborate with community partners and mentors to design initiatives that align with their community’s language goals. The National BoL team will provide ongoing training and support to ensure the success of these projects.

Fellowship Details

  • Duration: Spring 2025 – June 2027 (1-2 years)
  • Funding: Each Fellow will receive $57,600, paid at a rate of $30/hour for a total of 1,920 hours.
  • Focus: Supporting communities in transforming archival language materials into educational resources.

By fostering expertise and collaboration, the National BoL Fellowship Program empowers communities to bring their languages back into daily life, ensuring that archival resources serve a meaningful and lasting purpose.