The Paul Evan Peters Scholarship, formerly known as the Fellowship, was established by the CNI in honor of Paul Evan Peters (1947–1996), its founding executive director. It recognizes and supports graduate students, both master’s and doctoral, who exemplify Peters’ vision: to use digital information and technology to advance scholarly research, civic engagement, and democratic values.
Awarded biennially, it provides:
- $5,000/year (up to 2 years) for a doctoral student
- $2,500/year (up to 2 years) for a master’s student
These funds assist in advancing studies in information science, library science, or closely related fields at accredited U.S. universities (or equivalent iSchool/American Library Association programs).
👥 Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
- Be enrolled in a graduate program in information science, librarianship, or a related field at an accredited U.S. institution
- Not be staff, officers, or family of CNI, ARL, or EDUCAUSE
Selection emphasizes:
- Use of digital technologies to enhance scholarship and public life
- Civic responsibility and democratic values
- Creative problem-solving amid technical or bureaucratic challenges
- Attributes like humor, vision, and humanity
📅 Timeline & Application Process
The scholarship is offered every two years. The deadline for the 2024 scholarship was April 19, 2024. The next application period will open in 2026; full details will be published on the CNI website.
Applicants submit:
- Academic transcripts
- A resume or CV
- A statement outlining how their work aligns with Peters’s values
- Letters of recommendation
A selection committee of leaders from CNI, ARL, and EDUCAUSE reviews the submissions.
🏆 Recent Recipients & Their Work
2024 Scholars
- Doctoral: Adam E. Berkowitz (University of Alabama) – Focused on digital humanities, information access in public libraries, and emerging technology in librarianship.
- Master’s: Sofía Isabel Crespo Maldonado (Carnegie Mellon University) – Focused on inclusive cybersecurity tools and digital forensics for vulnerable populations.
Previous Scholars include:
- Hugh Paterson III (2022) – Preserving minority-language archives
- Jamie Flood (2022) – Linked data and environmental justice
- Olivia Dorsey (2014) – Digital Black History projects
🧭 Why the Scholarship Matters
- Honors Peters’s legacy: Peters was a foundational vision‐setter who bridged librarianship and tech to spur digital scholarship.
- Amplifies civic-minded innovation: The award spotlights scholars tackling public‐interest challenges via technology.
- Invests in future leaders: Financial support helps launch careers centered on digital access, equity, and scholarly communication.
🔍 Comparison to the Paul Evan Peters Award
It’s important to distinguish the Scholarship from the similarly named Paul Evan Peters Award:
- Scholarship: For graduate students, financial aid for studies
- Award: For experienced professionals; honors significant, career-long contributions to networked information
Notable recipients include Tony Hey (2024), Herbert Van de Sompel (2017), Vinton Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee, and Brewster Kahle.
✅ Summary: Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Eligibility | U.S. citizen/permanent resident, master’s or Ph.D. student in information science or related field |
| Award Amount | $5,000/year for Ph.D., $2,500/year for master’s — up to 2 years |
| Cycle Frequency | Biennial (next in 2026) |
| Selection Criteria | Align with digital, civic-minded innovation; embody Peters’s values |
| Recent Winners | Adam Berkowitz & Sofía Crespo Maldonado (2024) |
📌 Final Thoughts
The Paul Evan Peters Scholarship offers more than financial assistance: it provides recognition and support to graduate students who are leading the way in civic-minded digital information and technology. If you’re pursuing a graduate degree in information science and value innovation, democracy, and public service, this fellowship could be a perfect fit for your goals.
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