Research Fellowships

To apply for a fellowship or grant:

1. Review the fellowship descriptions below.
2. Unless otherwise stated, you must submit your application online. Please note that only currently open fellowships will be listed.
3. Recommenders must submit an online recommendation form.

• Charles E. Peterson Fellowship of the Buildings of the United States and the Athenaeum of Philadelphia
• Gill Family Foundation Dissertation Research Fellowship
• Edilia and François-Auguste de Montêquin Fellowship
• HABS-SAH Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship
• Study Program Fellowships

Gill Family Foundation Dissertation Research Fellowship

Purpose

The Gill Family Foundation Dissertation Research Fellowship supports dissertation research in the field of architectural history and related areas including, but not limited to, the history of interiors, landscapes, urbanism, architectural theory, and architectural criticism by graduate students whose work has potential to impact discourse in the field.

The Award

The Award consists of a $5,000 stipend paid to the recipient to be used for dissertation research needs and expenses including travel, accommodations, fees, etc. Like other SAH awards, the recipient will be announced at the SAH Annual International Conference and in the SAH Newsletter and documented in the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians (JSAH).

Criteria for Application

• Applicant must be admitted to candidacy for a doctoral degree in architectural history or a related field including, but not limited to, the history of interiors, landscapes, urbanism, architectural theory, and architectural criticism.
• Applicant must be a current member of the Society of Architectural Historians.
• Application and dissertation must be written in English.
• Application is open to citizens of any country who are studying at a university in the United States.
• Applicant has been nominated by their department and invited to apply by SAH. SAH will reach out to department chairs or graduate program directors in architectural history, architecture, and related fields to invite them to nominate a doctoral candidate they believe would meet the criteria to apply for the Gill Family Dissertation Fellowship. Department chairs – submit a candidate by completing the nomination form below and emailing to fellowships@sah.org by June 30, 2020.
• SAH will reach out to their nominee to invite them to apply for the Fellowship.
• A department may only nominate one applicant per year. Multiple departments at a university with qualified PhD programs may each nominate a candidate.

Reporting Requirements

Upon announcing the fellowship recipient, SAH will release the first payment of the fellowship, $2,000. At a mid-point to be determined by recipient and SAH, recipient will submit a blog post (500 words) about their research or the challenges/process of researching their dissertation; after review and approval of the blog post, SAH will release the 2^nd payment of $2,000. At the conclusion of the recipient’s stated research timeline, the recipient will submit the following materials: a written narrative and financial report summarizing the research funded by the award and how funds were spent. The recipient will also submit a minimum of 25 images to SAH’s digital image archive SAHARA. After review and approval of the report and submission to SAHARA, SAH will release the final payment of $1,000.

Application Details

• The application submission window is June 1–July 31 each year.
• Applicant must be nominated by their department and invited to apply by SAH (by June 30, 2020).
• Applicant must submit their completed application packets to the SAH office via the online portal. (Opens June 1, 2020.)

All submissions must include the following and be assembled into a single PDF document in this order:

1. A cover letter with full contact details and identification of author and the main academic advisor(s), along with advisor contact details
2. A dissertation abstract (150 words)
3. A project statement that describes the project goals, the significance of the work, and its contribution to the field (1,000 words)
4. A literature review that explains how the project fits into the existing literature or research on the topic (500 words)
5. A work plan for research (250 words)
6. A writing sample (10-15 pages)
7. A curriculum vitae

Eligibility will be focused on projects that are original and have the potential to impact the field of architecture through:

• Demonstrating an innovative, challenging idea; critical, independent thinking; advanced scholarship; a new approach or methodology.
• Potential to make a meaningful contribution to discourse and/or to the field; expands knowledge; is a catalyst for future inquiry.
• Sound methodology and clear, realistic goals; a reasonable timeframe for research or writing; available and accessible sources.

Applicants will possess strong qualifications and/or knowledge and demonstrate an ability to complete the dissertation successfully.

Nominations by department chairs or graduate program directors for eligible applicants will be accepted until June 30, 2020. Applications will open on June 1, 2020. The deadline to submit an application is July 31, 2020.

EDILIA AND FRANÇOIS-AUGUSTE DE MONTÊQUIN FELLOWSHIP

Purpose
This award provides support for travel related to research on Spanish, Portuguese, or Ibero-American architecture. 

The Awards
The awards consist of a $2,000 fellowship for an advanced graduate student and a $6,000 fellowship for a senior or emerging scholar. The awardees will be notified in December and will be recognized at the SAH 74th Annual International Conference in Montréal (April 14–18, 2021). The awards also will be announced in the May 2021 issue of the SAH Newsletter.

Criteria for Application

These annual fellowships are intended to support the research of graduate students who have completed their coursework and are engaged in doctoral dissertation research, and senior or emerging scholars who have completed their PhD or equivalent terminal degree.  The research to be supported must focus on Spanish, Portuguese, or Ibero-American architecture, including colonial architecture produced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and what is today the United States. The applicant must be a current member of SAH. 

Reporting Requirements
Following completion of travel and research supported by the fellowship, each de Montêquin Fellowship awardee must submit a written report summarizing their research and explaining what travel was undertaken and how funds were spent. The report will be submitted to the SAH office no later than three months following the completion of work related to the fellowship. Awardees are required to upload images to SAHARA (a minimum of 50  for junior scholars and a minimum of 150 for senior scholars). 

Application Details
You will need two recommendations to apply for this fellowship (must be submitted using the online recommendation form), a description of the research project on Iberian or Ibero-American architecture to be funded (500 words maximum), a current curriculum vitae (5 pages max), and a statement of purpose.

Applications for the 2021 Edilia and François-Auguste de Montêquin Fellowships open August 3, 2020. The applications deadline is September 30, 2020.

HABS-SAH SALLY KRESS TOMPKINS FELLOWSHIP

Purpose
The Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship, a joint program of the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) and the National Park Service’s Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), permits a graduate student in architectural history or a related field the opportunity to work on a 12-week HABS history project during the summer of 2021. The Fellow will prepare a written history that focuses on a significant U.S. building or site for the permanent HABS collection at the Library of Congress. The Fellow’s research interests and goals will inform the building or site selected for documentation by HABS staff. The Fellow is usually stationed in the HABS Washington, D.C., office. The Fellow will be selected by a jury of two SAH members and one HABS representative.

The Award
The award consists of a $12,000 stipend and SAH conference registration and travel expenses up to $1,000. The successful applicant will be notified in late February and will be recognized at the SAH 74th Annual International Conference in Montréal (April 14–18, 2021). The award includes travel, hotel accommodation, and registration for the SAH Montréal conference up to $1,000. The award will be announced in the May 2020 issue of the SAH Newsletter.

Reporting Requirements
In addition to the final project/written history, recipients are required to upload a minimum of 50 images documenting their summer HABS project to the SAHARA image archive prior to completion of the fellowship.

Criteria for Application
Applicants should be pursuing graduate studies in architectural history or other related fields. You do not have to be a member of SAH to apply for this fellowship, but membership is strongly encouraged. 

Application Details
Applications for the 2020 HABS-SAH Sally Kress Tompkins Fellowship open on September 1, 2020, and must be emailed to Lisa Davidson by December 31, 2020.

For application instructions, visit: nps.gov/hdp/jobs/tompkins.htm or contact Lisa Davidson at 202-354-2179 or lisa_davidson@nps.gov.

CHARLES E. PETERSON FELLOWSHIP OF THE BUILDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ATHENAEUM OF PHILADELPHIA

Purpose
In a joint program with the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Society of Architectural Historians is pleased to offer an annual fellowship that will support the participation of a graduate student in the research and writing for a volume in the Buildings of the United States (BUS) series and/or SAH Archipedia, the Society’s online architectural resource. This fellowship was established in 2008 in honor of Charles E. Peterson, FAIA, founder of the Historic American Buildings Survey. The recipient will research some aspect of American architecture prior to 1860, which they may choose from a list of topics provided by authors of forthcoming BUS books. The prize will be presented at the Society's annual conference in April and will be announced in the SAH Newsletter following the conference.

The Award
The committee will award the fellowship by February 28, 2021, at which time the recipient will choose from the pre-defined list of available topics. The fellowship grant of $2,500 will be contingent upon the recipient's completion of the project, which is expected to require 150 hours of work. A portion of the award ($500) will be paid in early June to cover the recipient's immediate expenses. The balance of the award ($2,000) will be payable upon completion of the project. The completed project must be submitted to SAH by August 31, 2021. 

Criteria for Application
The fellowship is intended for students currently enrolled in graduate programs in art or architectural history, architectural design, urban planning, historic preservation, landscape architecture, American studies, or related disciplines. Preference will be given to SAH members. The successful applicant does not need to reside in Philadelphia, although the Athenaeum will be glad to have the fellowship recipient use its collections. Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of BUS/SAH Archipedia editors and authors. You do not have to be a member of SAH to apply for this fellowship, but membership is encouraged. 

Application Details
Applicants must submit the following through the online portal:
• Cover letter discussing their research interests and professional goals
• CV or resumé
• Brief writing sample (5–10 pages)
• Recommendation from an advisor or principal professor submitted using the online recommendation form

Applications for the 2021 award will open October 1, 2020. The application deadline is December 31, 2020. 

 

STUDY PROGRAM FELLOWSHIPS

 
Purpose
Study Program Fellowships are offered in conjunction with each SAH Study Day or SAH Field Seminar to allow for a graduate student or emerging professional to participate in the program. These fellowships are funded by the Society of Architectural Historians' Scott Opler Endowment for New Scholars.
 
The Award
The fellowship covers the single occupancy price of the tour package. Also included is a travel stipend of up to $200 intended to provide underwriting for travel to and from the Study Day/Field Seminar destination. The travel stipend portion of the award is granted on a reimbursable basis, paid after the study tour with travel receipts and a completed Travel Reimbursement Form. SAH suggests that if additional financial support is needed to cover other related expenses (airfare, meals not covered, etc.) that the applicants contact their respective university/college, academic advisor, department head or employer to investigate the financial opportunities afforded them.

Criteria for Application
Study Program Fellowships are open to current full-time MA and PhD students and emerging professionals who have received a MA or PhD between 2017 and August 2021. Current membership in SAH is not required to apply, however, fellowship recipients will be required to join SAH before attending the tour and receiving the award. 

Reporting Requirements
Study Program Fellowship recipients are asked to complete a report for each day of the tour, which includes a paragraph explaining how the tour contributed to the recipient's research. Within one week of the conclusion of the tour, fellowship recipients are required to upload images to SAHARA (25 for a Study Day, 50 for a domestic Field Seminar, 100 for an international Field Seminar).

Application Details
Applicants must submit the following through the online portal:

• A statement (in English, 300 words) that explains how this fellowship will advance your studies or interests
• A curriculum vitae (5 pages max)
• One letter of recommendation (must be submitted using the online recommendation form)