Would you like to work on a compelling research or educational project that advances the library’s goals, such as investigating the way books in the Woodson Research Center have been used by previous readers/owners, creating brief video tutorials on generative AI tools, or developing a tool to transform historical sources into precisely mapped spatial data? If so, apply to become a Fondren Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Fellows will earn $18 per hour (for up to 200 hours of work), hone their skills in research and communication, and be mentored by a faculty member or Fondren staff member.
Projects for the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Rice undergraduate and graduate students may apply to work on the projects below, which will run from August 2026 through early May of 2027.
- Red Book of Houston
- Demystifying Generative AI: Facilitating artificial intelligence literacy through video microtutorials
- Readers’ Marks: tracing the past in Fondren’s rare book collections
- Directories to geoData: Developing a Sanborn-Based Address Locator for Historical GIS
- Preserving Plants Past: Digitally Uncovering Rice’s Hidden Herbarium
- AI-Enhanced Teaching of Text Analysis with Python: Connecting Library Instruction to Industry Documents Archives
- The White House Scientists Archive
- The Ethics Evolution: Assessing and Advancing Research Integrity Training
- Exploring Documents, Institutions, and Texts (EDIT)
Applying for the Program
Applicants must be current Rice full-time graduate or undergraduate students in good academic standing at the time of the program.
To apply, please use the 12twenty application form (link coming soon) to submit the following documents:
- a resume or CV that includes your name, email address, telephone number and expected graduation date
- a cover letter. The cover letter should describe which project(s) you would like to apply for, what qualifications you would bring to the project(s), and what you would like to get out of the program. 12twenty permits only one cover letter to be uploaded, so use a single letter to briefly discuss which projects you’re interested in. We will instruct the mentors to disregard whether someone has applied to multiple projects in selecting students to work on their projects.
If your application is chosen to move to the next stage, you will be contacted to interview with your prospective mentor.
APPLY BY THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026 AT NOON
Only applications submitted on 12twenty will be considered!
Direct any questions to fondrenfellows@rice.edu
Zoom Info Session
Mar 12, 2026
12:00-12:30 PM
Register here:
https://riceuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/register/15Kr3oJTSJ2pkLwf_6_Utw
Find out more about the Fellows program and get your questions answered.
Benefits for Fellows
The Fondren Fellows program offers the following benefits to students:
- Competitive wage of $18/ hour for up to 200 hours of work.
- Create a meaningful research or educational project in collaboration with experts.
- Hone research and communication skills.
- Work flexible hours.
Expectations
Once selected, Fondren Fellows are expected to:
- Participate in regular meetings with their mentor(s)
- Participate in monthly cohort meetings on campus
- Develop and submit a research plan in cooperation with mentor
- Work between 5 and 10 hours per week on the project (no more than 20 hours per week), with a cap of 200 hours total
- Provide reports on their progress in meeting the project goals
- Present their project at a public forum
- Acknowledge the Fondren Fellows program in any publications or presentations resulting from the project
- Provide feedback on the Fellows program, including by completing a brief survey at the middle and end of the project