James Laughton Ken Kesey Fellowship

The James Laughton Kesey Fellowship enables research into the 1960s counterculture, including work in the Ken Kesey Papers.

Fellowship Description

Awards of $3,000 support travel for the purpose of research at SCUA and are open to any non-UO individual, regardless of institutional affiliation. The fellowship selection committee includes representatives from SCUA and selected academic faculty. Fellows should be aware that, depending on their status and country of origin, the US government may consider their award taxable income. It is recommended that fellows familiarize themselves with their tax status and take necessary steps to plan for and pay any potential fees.

Fellows Will

  • Complete their research at the University of Oregon within a year of award notification
  • Present a 45-55 minute, recorded lecture at a virtual speaker series hosted by SCUA, followed by a moderated Q&A
  • Submit a copy of their final project or publication to SCUA
  • Acknowledge the Laughton Kesey Fellowship and its sponsor, SCUA, in all publications resulting from the research fellowship
  • A 1,000-word (maximum) proposal that describes the project for which these collections will be consulted, as well as the role that the applicant expects these collections will play in the project
  • A curriculum vitae or résumé
  • Full contact information
  • Full name of applicant must appear on each page of the application
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be submitted separately to Emily Moore at mlemoore@uoregon.edu)

Applications for 2025 are currently closed. Applications for 2026 will be accepted until January 2nd, 2026. 

Fellows awarded funding will be notified by late March of the application year. 

Access application here.

Laughton Kesey Fellows

  • 2021 (multiple awards): Daria Smirnova, Erika Dyck and Patrick Farrell
  • 2023: Susan McWilliams Barndt