History Department Graduate Scholarships and Awards

Note: Graduate students may apply for more than one of these special awards. The committee will select one recipient for each award; the award amounts vary depending on funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered by the committee.

Awards that require application through the History Department.

Research and Conference Funding Awards

Requirements: Awarded to history graduate students carrying out research or delivering a conference presentation. Graduate students are restricted to one funded conference per academic year (the new academic year begins every Fall semester and concludes at the end of the following Summer term). Additionally, graduate students are restricted to one funded research project abroad during their MA program; one funded research project abroad during their doctoral program preceding the prospectus; and one funded research project abroad during their doctoral program following the prospectus.

Fall and Spring research and conference funding from the Graduate Awards Committee is September 30th of every academic year. Please note that this will be the only time applications will be accepted for Spring travel.
Summer applications for research and conference funding as well as for special awards will be due February 15th of every academic year.

Indeterminate number awarded for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, depending on the number and quality of applications.
Amount awarded depends on funding.
Application is required with detailed instructions available here.

One Semester Dissertation Writing Fellowship

Requirements: Applicants must have presented their prospectus by the end of the Spring semester. The fellowship relieves recipient of any teaching or grading responsibilities for one semester, with the expectation that they will devote themselves full time to the dissertation and complete at least one polished chapter by the end of that semester.
Up to three awarded each Spring, for the following academic year
The fellowship pays the same assistantship salary plus tuition and fees as if teaching

Application required. The following must be submitted:
1. A two-to-three page statement nominating yourself, explaining your research, the current status of your dissertation, and what you would expect to accomplish during the fellowship semester;
2. A detailed letter of recommendation from your dissertation advisor supporting your application; and
3. An unofficial transcript.

All of the above must be submitted via email to Dr. R. Erika Feleg, Graduate Secretary in the History Department, at refeleg@memphis.edu, by February 20, 2024.
Please direct all inquiries to Dr. Dennis Laumann, Chair of the Graduate Awards Committee, at dlaumann@memphis.edu.

Dr. Dalvan M. Coger and Dr. Greta M. Coger Fellowship in History

Requirements: Must be a deserving and qualified history graduate student at The University of Memphis; preference given to high-ability student with demonstrated financial need studying African history; previous awardees may re-apply; award may be used for travel and/or research.
One awarded each Spring. Amount awarded depends on funding
Application required.

To apply, submit:
1. A resume
2. A two-to-three page personal statement confirming your eligibility as per the aforementioned requirements; explaining your current stage in the graduate program and the focus of your studies and research; and discussing your scholarly plans for the coming academic year.

All of the above must be submitted via email to Dr. R. Erika Feleg, Graduate Secretary in the History Department, at refeleg@memphis.edu, by February 20, 2024.

For a list of past recipients of the Dr. Dalvan M. Coger and Dr. Greta M. Coger Fellowship in History please click here.

Dr. William and Helen Lucile Gillaspie Scholarship

Requirements: Must be a deserved and qualified history graduate student at The University of Memphis; preference given to students with a concentration in Latin American studies.
One awarded each Spring. Amount awarded depends on funding
Application required.

All of the above must be submitted via email to Dr. R. Erika Feleg, Graduate Secretary in the History Department, at refeleg@memphis.edu, by February 20, 2024.

For a list of past recipients of the Dr. William and Helen Lucile Gillaspie Scholarship please click here.

Awards that require applications via the Tiger Scholarship Manager.

Dr. Peggy Jemison Bodine Dissertation Award

This is a Fellowship award for the Department of History . Shall be given to an outstanding full-time doctoral student in the Department of History, who has completed all coursework, passed their comprehensive exams and have received approval of the dissertation topic. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in scholarship and professional accomplishment.
Requirements: Must be a full-time doctoral student; completed all coursework; passed comprehensive examinations; and dissertation topic approved.

To apply, upload:
1. A resume.
2. Provide a personal statement as to why you are applying for this scholarship. Include any pertinent information about financial need, your family situation, and any other special information we should consider. Additionally, provide a list of all applicable extracurricular activities you feel should be considered. Ensure you include involvement with on and off campus organizations which have helped your personal and professional growth.

One awarded each Spring. Amount awarded depends on funding.

Deadline: February 1st, 2023.

Application required via the Tiger Scholarship Manager at https://memphis.academicworks.com/opportunities/23543

For a list of past recipients of the Dr. Peggy Jemison Bodine Dissertation Award please click here.

Ruth and Harry Woodbury Graduate Fellowship in Southern History

Requirements:
- Fully enrolled in the Graduate School at the University of Memphis.
- Pursuing a degree in History.
- The recipient(s) shall have a demonstrated major interest in Southern History, and shall have an interest in research, writing and teaching.
- A min cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required to receive and retain the fellowship.

One awarded each Spring. Amount awarded depends on funding.

Deadline: February 1st, 2023.

Application required via the Tiger Scholarship Manager at https://memphis.academicworks.com/opportunities/2759

For a list of past recipients of the Ruth and Harry Woodbury Graduate Fellowship in Southern History please click here.

Paul R. Coppock Scholarship

Note: This scholarship alternates with the Journalism Department and is awarded every other year as funds are available.

Requirements:
- Enrolled at the University of Memphis in the College of Arts & Sciences.
- May be undergraduate or graduate
- Majoring in History
- Recipients shall be selected on the basis of demonstrated dedication to and talent in the field of History

To apply, upload
1. A resume.
2. Provide a personal statement as to why you are applying for this scholarship. Include any pertinent information about financial need, your family situation, and any other special information we should consider. Additionally, provide a list of all applicable extracurricular activities you feel should be considered. Ensure you include involvement with on and off campus organizations which have helped your personal and professional growth.

Deadline: February 1st, 2023.

Application required via the Tiger Scholarship Manager at https://memphis.academicworks.com/opportunities/22441

For a list of past recipients of the Paul R. Coppock Scholarship in the History Department please click here.

Awards with recipients nominated / selected by the Graduate Awards Committee. No applications required.

Best Prospectus Award

Requirements: Awarded to a history graduate student who has presented a well-argued and well-organized prospectus presentation.
One awarded each Fall and/or Spring, depending on the number and quality of presentations.
Award amount is $500.
No application required (Recipients are selected by the Graduate Awards Committee).

For a list of past recipients of the Best Prospectus Award please click here.

Major L. Wilson Graduate Paper Prize

Requirements: Awarded to the best paper written in a department graduate course.
One awarded each Spring.
This honor includes a monetary award, amount depends on funding (currently $500).
No application required (Recipients are nominated by faculty and selected by the Graduate Studies Committee).

For a list of past recipients of the Major L. Wilson Graduate Paper Prize please click here.