Scholarships, Fellowships, and Research Opportunities at Davidson College

Scholarships/Fellowships
Graduating seniors are eligible for a range of well-funded post-graduate programs, including Rhodes Scholarships and Watson Fellowships.  Requirements and deadlines vary considerably.  A detailed list of these programs is listed here:  http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x10041.xml

Students who will be returning to Davidson (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) are also eligible to apply for funds to support their own research projects.  Among other opportunities, special attention should be given to Abernethy Research Grants and the Davidson Research Initiative.

The stated purpose of the George Lawrence Abernethy Endowment is to strengthen the intellectual life of Davidson College by funding programs and projects related to the areas of George Abernethy's principal interests and life-long work, including philosophy, ethics, politics, economics, public health, world affairs, and comparative religion.  It awards travel and research up to $3,200.  Applications are generally due in early November.  Additional awards may be available in the spring.

Students may also apply for the Davidson Research Initiative: Summer Research Program.  The goals of  this program are to:
          1.  foster collaborative student-faculty research in all of the liberal arts disciplines; and
          2.  establish a vibrant campus-wide community of undergraduate research during the summer months by offering activities such as topical group discussions, lectures, and social functions.

Any Davidson student may apply to the program when they are first-years, sophomores or juniors.  The student should first identify a member of the Davidson faculty who will be available to serve as a mentor for his or her summer research project.  The student, in consultation with his or her faculty mentor, will submit a research proposal and other application materials to the Program Director by late January.  Maximum stipend is $3,500.

The proposal must be written by the student and should include the following sections:
          1.  Research Plan - A detailed description of the proposed project and a proposed timetable for the   completion of the project;
          2.  Justification for the Research - A discussion of the unique and original nature of the research;
          3. Definition of the Mentoring Relationship - A description of the nature and duration of the interactions between the mentor and student throughout out the research experience (i.e., how often will interactions occur, how much supervision will be involved);
          4.  Budget - A list of items and their estimated costs (where applicable); and
          5.  Dissemination Plan - A list of possible avenue where the results of the research will be shared, i.e., poster presentations and/or publication plans.

Students who are interested in either of these opportunities should seek out additional information (sooner rather than later) from a member of the History Department.

Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Summer Fellowships in New York City

This five-week summer program invites current sophomores and juniors who are interested in American history to apply for one of fifteen scholarships.  This year the program runs from June 29 to August 1, 2008.  Each student receives a fellowship worth $10,000 that includes tuition, books, field trips, travel to and from New York City, room and board, and a $2,200 stipend.  Students conduct primary research on the summer's project that uses the strengths of the Gilder Lehrman Collection.  Past topics have included American abolitionist writings, Alexander Hamilton, Frederick Douglass, and Civil War soldiers' letters.  Students also participate in seminars with prominent American historians and visit various libraries and archives in the City.
Also, up to 50 finalists are invited to a one-week program in New York City from June 14 to June 21 and receive a fellowship worth $1,500 that includes tuition, field trips, travel to and from New York City, and room and board.
Applications must be postmarked March 3, 2008 and include a cover letter (one to two pages) describing yourself and your interest in the program, an official college transcript and resume, a sample of your historical writing (approximately five pages taken from something you have produced for an American history class),  and two letters of recommendation from faculty members, at least one of whom teaches American history.  Send you application to History Scholar Program, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 601 West 110th Street, Suite 4M, New York, NY  10025.  For additional information, see poster on the History bulletin board or visit: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/students2.html

SHEAR/Mellon Foundation Undergraduate Seminar in American History

This is a unique research opportunity for "intellectually gifted" History majors from private liberal arts colleges, held for three weeks during the summer before students enter their senior year.  The focus is American history, 1776-1861.  Two nationally recognized scholars co-direct the program.  Students conduct original research using the outstanding archives in Philadelphia, including the American Philosophical Society, the Library Company of Philadelphia, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.  In addition to conducting research, students meet in groups to discuss their research and consult with professors.  In the final five days, a group of faculty honor advisors lend their talent and expertise to student research projects.
Ten students receive up to $2,000 stipends for travel and living expenses at the University of Pennsylvania's McNeil Center for the Study of Early America.  Only one student from any one institution will be accepted.
Deadline:  February 1, 2008.
For additional information, contact stewart@macalester.edu and Professor Sally McMillen

Non-fiction writing prizes

The English Department of Davidson College annually awards the Charles E. Loyd Award for the best piece of non-fiction writing by a sophomore, junior , or senior.  This year, the due date for those submissions has not yet been established.

Publishing

History Matters, an undergraduate journal of historical research published by the History Department at Appalachian State University, seeks articles from undergraduates.  All articles accepted undergo a thorough editorial process by professors from a number of History departments.
In 2008, the deadline for submissions is January 25.  For information on submitting, see www.historymatters.appstate.edu.  Questions to the editors as well as paper submissions should be addressed to hismatt@appstate.edu.

Also consider sending a paper to some local and regional History journals.  Consult Davidson professors in your particular area of expertise.

Paper Presentations at History Conferences

UNCC holds an annual History Conference for graduates and undergraduates and awards prizes for the best graduate and undergraduate papers.  This year the Conference will be held March 14 and 15 on the UNCC campus.  You should send a one-page prospectus to gha@uncc.edu by January 15 and your completed paper by February 1, 2008.

Prizes for Non-Fiction

The Hugh T. Lefler Undergraduate Award presented annually by the Historical Society of North Carolina.  This prize is awarded to the best research paper on North Carolina history by an undergraduate at a North Carolina college or university.  Each paper should be submitted in triplicate.  It should be accompanied by a letter from the student's major professor attending to his or her undergraduate status and the originality of the paper, along with the student's permanent mailing address, e-mail, and telephone number.  Each paper should be no less than 16 pages (approximately 4,000 words).  It will be judged on the basis of originality of topic, quality of research and writing, and overall excellence.  The award is $200 in cash and a paid student membership in the Historical Society of North Carolina for one year.  The deadline for 2008 is August 1.  Please send submissions to Maury York, Secretary, Historical Society of North Carolina, J.Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858.