Finding and securing funding for humanities-related studies and research can be difficult! We're here to help!
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of co-hosting a workshop for graduate students dedicated to finding humanities funding opportunities with my colleague Megan Bruening (Director, Office of Fellowships), and I thought I'd write a quick post to share a few of the resources we discussed with a wider audience. (We did also record the event- email chr@gmu.edu to request it!)
I also wanted to provide some tips and a few words of encouragement for anyone searching for humanities funding. And to plug a second workshop that Megan and I will be co-hosting, on October 1- attend if you can! (Register HERE!) The first workshop was dedicated to finding opportunities; this second workshop will focus on crafting a strong application.
First, some general resources developed by other universities that might be helpful in your search:
- UF's Main Humanities Funders Guide (this list will serve you well in your fellowship search and throughout your entire career, for both solo and collaborative projects/positions!) It's a long list! I'd suggest looking at these three first:
- American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)
- The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR)
- Fulbright Research Grants (keep in mind that applications to particular countries vary dramatically in terms of success rate)
- KU's Hall Center Funding Guide
- Scroll down and download the Word doc dedicated to graduate student funding opportunities.
- This document is one year old but an excellent and comprehensive list, all the way from early PhD stage to postdocs.
- IGNORE the instructions about PIVOT- instead, with your George Mason credentials, you can try using SPIN to widen your search
- UC Berkeley Guide to Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities
- UCLA's Search Tool for Scholarships, Grants, Fellowships, and Postdocs
Another way to become familiar with the opportunities and institutions that are going to be right for you is to flip the search upside down- start with past awardees:
- instead of searching for opportunities/fellowships/funding...
- look at what advanced PhD candidates and/or junior faculty in your field/speciality have won.
- Ask yourself- how did Person X (whose project or field may be similar to yours) fund their travels/studies/work?
- Look at student bios/profiles on doctoral program websites (in the US and abroad),
- and download CVs of junior faculty to hunt for recent and relevant awards and affiliations you might also seek out;
- Don't be afraid to ask for introductions and/or even cold contact people if you feel they might be interested in your work and/or helpful as you search and apply for funding!
- Be gracious and mindful of people's time, but know that most people are flattered and want to help!
A few tips on how to be more competitive in your search:
- build a conservative timeline- start EARLY in your search and on your applications- you're often going to be applying for funding a full 12+ months in advance, applications need to be specifically tailored to the opportunity, and you might go through many rounds of drafts, especially if you're able to get feedback from peers, professors, or other mentors;
- Targeting opportunities to apply for 2-3 years out is NOT too early.
- When you're ready to write- you'll want to have those draft materials ready to send to your letter writers several weeks in advance of their letter deadlines- the further along you are in those drafts, the more helpful your recommenders can be in mentioning specific and compelling reasons you deserve the funding through a particular award/institution!
- fellowship applications will often require you to demonstrate intended use of their materials/archives or affiliated scholars and/or professional networks, so again- plan in advance- do as much up front as you can with what's available online, plan a summer or winter break research trip to make connections and scope things out on site, if necessary;
- again- don't be afraid to ask for introductions (perhaps via your advisor or committee members) and meetings with academics and/or other staff at various institutions who can facilitate your research or serve as mentors, well before applying!
- Make use of networking opportunities at conferences/other events to make connections that will facilitate your search and chance of winning funding.
I'll wrap by offering a bit of encouragement- the odds can be daunting, and fellowship and job market seasons are often difficult as you might receive a whole series of rejections, and come to dread checking your email...but remember, it only takes ONE yes, ONE opportunity to get you to your next step! And you can build your career one step at a time (no need to have the whole "staircase" in place).
Most importantly, do not self-select OUT of an opportunity because you don't think you can get it or because no one at Mason has received the award in the past. You never know what a funding body or committee might see in you or your project! If you're a good fit, it's always worth applying.
Good luck!
Make sure to use our wonderful Office of Fellowships- you can learn more and set advising appointments here.
*Thank you to Leslie Frieden (Associate Director for Research Development) for passing on some of the resources linked above!
September 11, 2024