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Request for Proposals (RFP): Research Scholar
Project Title: Indigenous Peoples and the Revolutionary War – Chesapeake/Tidewater Region Case Study
Issuing Organization: Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park
Date of Issuance: January 23, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: February 20, 2026
Contract Period: March 2026 – April 30, 2027
Project Completion Date: March 1, 2027
1. Introduction and Background
Schoodic Institute is seeking a qualified Research Scholar (Consultant) to produce an original, chapter-length case study examining Indigenous experiences in the Chesapeake/Tidewater region during the American Revolutionary era.
Funded through a federal grant, this initiative supports the National Park Service (NPS) in expanding the historical narrative of the American Revolution to include tribal perspectives, agency, and the conflict’s long-term significance for Indigenous Nations.
Key Objectives:
- Tribal Engagement & Consultation: In collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Project Manager, the Scholar will engage Tribal Nations within the Chesapeake/Tidewater region (part of NPS Interior Region 1 [Maine to West Virginia]). This involves convening focus groups to identify significant themes, consequential figures, and pivotal events from the perspectives of the Nations themselves.
- Methodological Framework: The resulting 60–80 page (15,000–20,000 word) case study must be grounded in the theories, methods, and sources of Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS).
Institutional Integration: The Scholar will coordinate with the PI to ensure the regional case study integrates seamlessly into the broader Historical Context Study, scheduled for finalization in early 2027. - Support & Logistics: The National Park Service (NPS) will facilitate introductions to Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) and Cultural Heritage offices. Where appropriate, NPS will provide site access for gatherings and dialogues between Tribal Citizens and historians.
- Ethical Standards: All work must adhere to strict protocols regarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty, respecting the specific guidance and privacy requirements of individual sovereign Nations.
2. Scope of Work
The selected Consultant will conduct original research and produce a case study examining the experiences, contributions, and impacts of Indigenous peoples in the Chesapeake/Tidewater region during the era of the American Revolution.
3. Please see the full RFP description at: https://schoodicinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Chesapeake-Researcher-RFP.pdf
4. Submission Instructions
Please submit your proposal in PDF format to search@SchoodicInstitute.org by 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Friday, February 20, 2026.
Contact Information: Dolora Conley, Human Resources and Office Manager, Schoodic Institute, dconley@SchoodicInstitute.org, 207-288-1324.
To apply for this job email your details to search@schoodicinstitute.org