Fellowships and Awards

We support a variety of scholar activities through the grants, fellowships, and awards we offer and encourage applications from researchers with diverse backgrounds and disciplines. The AHC is committed to fostering an inclusive research environment and promoting innovative inquiry that provides new perspectives on a wide range of historical and contemporary topics.

Unless otherwise indicated, send all applications and inquiries to Rare Book Curator Mary Beth Brown at Mary.Brown@uwyo.edu. All application materials should be submitted electronically.

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Travel Grants

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These awards support travel assistance for researchers looking to utilize the AHC's extensive collections.

 

Grant amount:

  • $750 per grant to cover transportation, lodging, and food expenses.

Number of grants:

  • Ten grants awarded annually (five each in fall and spring cycles).

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadlines:

  • Fall cycle: October 31, 2026. Research visit to AHC must be completed by August 31, 2028.
  • Spring cycle: March 31, 2027. Research visit to AHC must be completed by August 31, 2028.

 Application requirements:

  • Completed application form.
  • Project description (max. 2 pages).
  • Current C.V.

Travel Grant Application

Research Fellowships

A woman stands behind a lectern and gives a talk to a crowd of people

Award:

  • $3,000 stipend for a 20-day residency at the AHC. Stipend can be prorated for shorter visits.

Payment:

  • Issued upon completion of research visit and submission of a project summary. No advance payment allowed.

Focus:

  • Western political history. AHC archives offer insights into the careers of a diverse array of politicians, activists, and influencers within the political landscape, including significant holdings that represent a wide range of political beliefs.

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadline:

  • March 31, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • August 31, 2028.

 

Alan K. Simpson Fellowship Page

Award:

  • $3,000 stipend for a 20-day residency at the AHC. Stipend can be prorated for shorter visits.

Payment:

  • Issued upon completion of research visit and submission of a project summary. No advance payment allowed.

Focus:

  • History of economic geology, including exploration and development. Also supports inquiry into related fields such as environmental and natural resources history. Projects combining AHC materials with data from other sources, such as archaeology or earth sciences, are also encouraged.

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadline:

  • March 31, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • August 31, 2028.

 

Bernard L. Majewski Fellowship Page

Award:

  • $3,000 stipend for a 20-day residency at the AHC. Stipend can be prorated for shorter visits.

Payment:

  • Issued upon completion of research visit and submission of a project summary. No advance payment allowed.

Focus:

  • Influence of popular culture on American society. AHC's collections offer extensive materials on the entertainment industry, including papers from producers, directors, actors, and musicians. Notable holdings cover the cartoon and comic book industry, as well as representations of the "Western image" across various media.

Eligibility:

  • Open to late postdoctoral investigators and new faculty (Assistant Professor or below).

Application deadline:

  • March 31, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • August 31, 2028.

 

Call for Popular Culture Fellowship Proposals (PDF)

Award:

  • $3,000 stipend for a 20-day residency at the AHC. Stipend can be prorated for shorter visits.

Payment:

  • Issued upon completion of research visit and submission of a project summary. No advance payment allowed.

Focus:

  • Insightful scholarship exploring the complex narratives, cultural dynamics, and historical developments of the American West.

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadline:

  • March 31, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • August 31, 2028.

 

George A. Rentschler Fellowship Page

Award:

Focus:

  • Original research advancing knowledge and understanding about the history and myths of the American West.

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadline:

  • March 30, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • Research visits to AHC and BBCW must be completed within 15 months of award notification.

 

Peter K. Simpson Fellowship Page

Award:

  • $3,000 stipend for a 20-day residency at the AHC. Stipend can be prorated for shorter visits.

Payment:

  • Issued upon completion of research visit and submission of a project summary. No advance payment allowed.

Focus:

  • Women in public life across various fields. AHC's collections offer extensive resources on women's issues, prominent figures, and everyday experiences from the past 150 years. Materials cover politics, activism, professional achievements, and social history, supporting multifaceted research in women's roles in American culture.

Eligibility:

  • Open to scholars at all levels, from graduate students to tenured faculty.

Application deadline:

  • March 31, 2027.

Visit deadline:

  • August 31, 2028.

 

Women in Public Life Fellowship Page

UW-Specific Opportunities

UW's cowboy mascot, Pistol Pete, stands confidently with hands on hips at a lively event, surrounded by people and tables displaying materials.

These grants support innovative projects, course development, and symposia that substantially incorporate AHC resources. These grants are open to University of Wyoming students, faculty, academic professionals, and staff.

 

Grant amounts:

  • Student research projects: $200-$500.
  • Digital humanities projects: $500-$1,000.
  • Curriculum development (module): $500-$1,500.
  • Curriculum development (full course): $1,500-$3,000.
  • Research symposium planning: $1,000-$1,500.

Application deadline:

  • February 28, 2027.

Project completion:

  • All funded activities must be completed by December 31, 2027.

Reporting:

  • Recipients must submit a one-page summary of their project upon completion.

 

Teaching and Research Grant Application (PDF)

Award:

  • $500 cash prize with no restrictions on use.

Eligibility:

  • UW undergraduates in any discipline.

Purpose:

  • Recognizes excellent use of AHC primary sources in academic research.

Project types:

  • Research papers, creative writing, exhibits, websites, podcasts, art projects, etc.

Requirement:

  • Research must be for academic credit.

Application deadline:

  • May 17, 2027.

Submission:

  • Faculty may submit on behalf of students, or students may apply with faculty support.

Project completion:

  • Research must be completed during the current academic year.

 

Undergraduate Research Awards Page

Award:

  • $500 cash prize with no restrictions on use.

Eligibility:

  • UW graduate students in any discipline.

Purpose:

  • Highlights exemplary graduate research utilizing AHC collections.

Project types:

  • Research papers, creative writing, exhibits, websites, podcasts, art projects, etc.

Requirement:

  • Research must be for academic credit.

Application deadline:

  • May 17, 2027.

Submission:

  • Faculty may submit on behalf of students, or students may apply with faculty support.

Project completion:

  • Research must be completed during the current academic year.

 

Graduate Research Award Nomination (PDF)