Graduate Research and Conference Funding Awards
The application deadline for 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. Carefully read and follow the instructions below.
Funding application instructions:
Graduate students in History are invited to submit funding requests for research projects and conference participation planned between October 15th and May 1st of every academic year.
Conference funding is limited to $750 for domestic conferences and $1,500 for conferences abroad. There is no designated limit for research project proposals. Applicants are also expected to seek funding from other sources and this information should be included in your application.
Graduate students are restricted to one funded conference per academic year (each new academic year begins with the 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 following the prospectus.
Preference will be given to graduate students who have never received funding from the Graduate Awards Committee. Past funding recipients who failed to submit their follow-up report to Dr. Dennis Laumann by the required deadline will not be considered.
Applicants are required to submit the following:
1. Application letter (4-5 pages for research projects; 1-2 page(s) for conference participation);*
2. One-page detailed budget,** plus supporting documentation;***
3. Curriculum vitae;
4. Unofficial transcript;
5. Letter of recommendation from primary advisor or other committee member (one letter; History Department faculty only);
6. Written confirmation of proposal submission or acceptance (for conference funding only).
*In addition to explaining the nature and purpose of the request, applicants must indicate how they will attempt to secure funding from other possible sources. Applicants also are required to disclose all obtained funding, including after submission of the application, to the Graduate Awards Committee. Applicants should state how the research project or conference participation directly relates to completion of their graduate degree.
**Applicants are allowed to request funds to cover travel expenses, lodging, registration and entry fees, and 1/2 the per diem rate to cover food, local transportation, and incidentals. If traveling by car, applicants should use the standard mileage reimbursement rate of 47 cents per mile to calculate travel expenses; the Graduate Awards Committee will reimburse up to half the total amount requested. For per diem rates, please visit the university’s travel page: http://www.memphis.edu/accounting/travelmenu.php.
Receipts—for all expenses—are required for reimbursement. Students are encouraged to economize when making travel plans. The proposed budgets should be detailed, justifiable, and reasonable.
***Applicants are required to provide documentation to verify costs for travel, lodging, and fees (e.g., a sample itinerary including airfare, an announcement listing conference fee, etc.).
All of the above must be submitted electronically to Dr. Erika Feleg, Graduate Secretary in the History Department, at refeleg@memphis.edu no later than September 30th of every Fall semester. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Please ask your referee to submit their letter directly to Dr. Erika Feleg.
Funding decisions will be announced in early October of every Fall semester. Successful applicants will be required to submit a of 1-2 page follow-up report by July 1st of every academic year.
Please direct all inquiries to Dr. Dennis Laumann, Chair of the Graduate Awards Committee, at dlaumann@memphis.edu.