History Scholarships

National civics competition for grades 6–8 combining a short-answer community-improvement essay application, live regional quiz bees, state finals, and a National Championship in Washington, D.C. The national champion receives a $100,000 contribution to a 529 education savings plan; second and third place receive $25,000 and $15,000 cash. Regional and state rounds also award smaller cash prizes. Students apply free through the online portal in participating states.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute History Scholarship at Gettysburg College recognizes high-achieving incoming students with a strong interest in studying history through coursework, independent research, or personal experience. Named for the college's partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the award supports students who view history as a tool for understanding and shaping the present. Recipients join a vibrant intellectual community with access to the Civil War Institute, Eisenhower Institute, and faculty in public history. Applicants submit the Common Application plus a supplemental GLI scholarship essay by their admission deadline. A limited number of awards of fifty thousand dollars per year are granted for four years of full-time enrollment.

Underrepresented and underserved Ph.D. or Th.D. students in religion, theological studies, or biblical studies who have completed coursework and are at the dissertation stage may apply for FTE doctoral dissertation fellowships from the Forum for Theological Exploration. One-year fellowships provide up to $35,000. Fellows must be enrolled full time at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution and pursuing a teaching and scholarship vocation in North America. Applications open in January and are due February 16. Submit the FTE application with CV, research abstract, transcripts, and faculty recommendations.

The Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Sciences recognizes high school juniors committed to understanding and addressing difficult social issues through study, action, and dialogue. Counselors, teachers, or administrators nominate one qualified junior per school each year through Rochester's High School Awards Program. Nominees receive an application fee waiver and, if admitted to the College of Arts, Sciences and Engineering, may be selected for a merit scholarship of $10,000 to $35,000 per year. Selection weighs leadership, community action, and strong grades in humanities and social science coursework.

Late-stage Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social sciences at accredited U.S. graduate schools whose dissertation addresses religious, ethical, or moral questions may apply for Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships. Twenty fellows each receive a $31,000 stipend for 12 months of full-time dissertation writing. Applicants must have completed coursework, passed preliminary exams, received dissertation proposal approval, and be actively writing their dissertation by the application deadline. Professional degrees such as D.Min., law, Psy.D., and Ed.D. are not eligible.

Ph.D. and post-doctoral candidates worldwide pursuing newly uncovered archival research on the Holocaust may apply, including work in history, sociology, Jewish studies, political science, philosophy, theology, women's studies, and related fields. Fellowships of $30,000 are awarded to up to seven outstanding candidates each year who demonstrate academic excellence, personal commitment to Holocaust research, and potential for professional leadership in the field. Supported topics include the historical context of the Holocaust, political, economic, legal, religious, or socio-cultural aspects, ethical implications, and related subjects. The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) administers the program.

Postdoctoral researchers with a Ph.D. in Classics or a related field may apply for CHS Fellowships in Hellenic Studies at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C. The program supports research on topics related to ancient Greek civilization, including traditional classics projects and interdisciplinary approaches from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Applicants may not apply to both the Washington, D.C. Fellowships in Hellenic Studies and the Early Career Fellowships in Hellenic Studies in Greece and Cyprus in the same cycle. Awards support individual or collaborative proposals with flexible residency and financial support up to $25,000. Fellows are asked to submit a profile for the CHS website, document project progress, and complete a survey at the end of their appointment. The program aims to foster interaction among researchers from diverse academic backgrounds and regions.

The Humanities Scholars Program at UMBC provides four-year scholarships to first-year students majoring in humanities fields such as Africana Studies, Anthropology, English, Gender Women's and Sexuality Studies, Global Studies, History, and Media and Communication Studies. In-state students may receive $5,000 to $15,000 per year and out-of-state students $10,000 to $22,000 per year. Scholars take interdisciplinary seminar courses, may study abroad, and live in a scholars community. A separate application is due January 15, and students must also apply for UMBC admission by the early action deadline.

U.S. citizens who are Intercollegiate Studies Institute members enrolled full time in a graduate humanities or social sciences program and intend to teach at the college level may apply for the Richard M. Weaver Graduate Fellowship. Pre-professional programs in business, divinity, medicine, or law are ineligible. Fellowships range from $5,000 to $15,000. ISI awards up to 15 fellowships annually for tuition and living expenses. Apply by the March deadline through ISI. The fellowship honors Richard M. Weaver and supports graduate students who will use advanced degrees to teach and uphold academic excellence.

Civilian U.S. citizens who are not in federal military or civilian service and who have completed all PhD requirements except the dissertation may apply for CMH Dissertation Fellowships supporting warfare-history research, especially U.S. Army topics. Two fellowships carry a $15,000 stipend plus access to Center of Military History facilities. Applications are due January 15 annually under Army Regulation 870-5.