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James W. Carson Student Research Award 

This award offers up to $500* to junior and senior history majors to support original research in history.  The award can be used for travel, access to archives, books, copying, software, equipment, and other necessities directly related to completing a research project undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member in the History Department, either as part of an honors thesis or as a non-honors History 500 (independent study) or History 550 (independent research).   

*Note:  the monetary award (up to $500 total) will be disbursed for documented expenses related to one research project, either by (a) direct payment of expenses up front (e.g., the history department purchases books, train tickets, etc. on behalf of the award recipient); (b) reimbursement to the recipient after the expense is incurred (e.g. a check issued to cover car mileage used for travel related to the research project); or (c) a combination of a and b. 

Application Process

1. Determine your eligibility

To receive the Award you must be:  

• A junior or senior history major*
• Have a GPA of at least 3.4 in the major
• Have identified and contacted a history faculty advisor about your project

*Seniors are eligible to apply in either of the two annual funding cycles, fall or spring.  Juniors are eligible to apply in the spring funding cycle only.  

2. Prepare and submit your proposal.

Proposals should consist of three paragraphs answering the questions below—emailed to Professor Karl Qualls at quallsk@dickinson.edu

1. What is your research topic or question, and why are you interested in it?
2. What preparation have you already done for this project?  (May include preliminary reading or research, other relevant coursework you have taken, and the like.  Include the name of your faculty advisor for your project.)  
3. What would you use the money for?  Include a short, estimated budget, as well as an estimated timeframe for when the expense(s) would most likely be incurred.  (Note:  expenses incurred during summers and/or winter breaks are eligible for coverage under the grant if they are related to the approved research project.)  

3.  Receive notification of your result.

Awarding of grants is competitive, and based on the following criteria as determined by history faculty:  

• Achievement in the major as a whole
• Strength of question/topic
• Level of initial preparation
• Feasibility of the plan

There are three possible outcomes of your application:  (1) Full funding; (2) Partial funding; or (3) No funding.  Partial funding is usually the result when the department has received a number of strong proposals in a given funding cycle and cannot fully fund all of them, but would like to partially support as many of the strong projects as possible.  Students who receive a "No Funding" result may wish to consult with their faculty advisor about how to strengthen their proposal, and then apply again in a future funding cycle, if still eligible.   

Funding Cycles and Application Deadlines

Beginning in AY 2025-26, we will have two annual funding cycles.  The first funding cycle has a September application deadline and is open to senior history majors only.  The second funding cycle has a February deadline and is open to both junior and senior history majors.  

Review of Applications For the Fall 2025 Funding Cycle Begins Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 -  All applications received by 12 noon on Sept. 5 will receive full consideration.  (Open to senior history majors only)

The History Department strongly encourages senior history majors who already know they will pursue honors and/or take HIST 500 and/or HIST 550 in AY 2025-26, who expect to incur travel or other expenses related to their research, and who are able to provide a short, estimated budget for their research costs, to apply for funding during this first award cycle of the academic year.  If funding is granted, the research can be undertaken any time during the Fall 2025 semester, winter break 2025-26, or Spring 2026 semester, as long as it is related to the same project discussed in the proposal.  

Review of Applications for the Spring 2026 Funding Cycle Begins Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 - All applications received by 12 noon on Feb. 6 will receive full consideration.  (Open to junior AND senior history majors)

Seniors pursuing honors projects or taking a HIST 500 or HIST 550 in Spring 2026, who have not previously received Carson Award funding for the same project, are eligible to apply.  If funding is granted, the expenses must be incurred before the end of the Spring 2026 semester in order to be covered by the grant. 

Juniors are eligible to apply in this funding cycle if they are taking a HIST 500 or HIST 550 in Spring 2026, OR they have a definite intention to pursue an honors project in their senior year (and have already identified a possible faculty advisor for the honors project).  Expenses to be covered by the grant may be incurred during the spring 2026 semester, or, if related to an honors project to be completed during the senior year, during summer 2026, fall 2026, or winter break 2026-27.