The Joseph Z. and Ruth N. Stasneck History Fellowship provides financial support for travel and other expenses to facilitate oral history or archival research. The fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the late Joseph Z. Stasneck and his wife, Ruth N. Stasneck.
- Research projects must be related to the development of a senior thesis or another formal, substantive project in history.
- Applicants must have taken at least one history course prior to applying.
- We prioritize applications from CMC history majors, although other CMC students may also be awarded.
- The recipient is required to conduct the project under the supervision of, or in collaboration with, a CMC history faculty member.
- The recipient is required to present about how they used the funding at an annual history department event.
- Students may apply for only one fellowship per funding cycle with a maximum amount of $5000. Students may apply for and be awarded multiple fellowships in different funding cycles, with a lifetime maximum amount of $7500.
- Maria Mosqueda (maria.mosqueda@claremontmckenna.edu) handles disbursements of the award. Awardees do not need to provide receipts.
Application Deadlines:
- Winter and Spring Fellowships: November 20th
- Summer and Fall Fellowships: April 20th
Off-cycle applications will be received and awarded on a rolling basis depending on availability of funds.
Application
Please email complete applications in PDF format to maria.mosqueda@claremontmckenna.edu. The application package must include:
- An application cover sheet
- A two-page research project proposal
- A research budget
- A copy of the applicant’s unofficial transcript
Research Project Proposal
The project proposal should include the following:
- A title and general description or abstract of the research project.
- A statement of why the research project is important to the applicant’s development of historical research and writing skills.
- A statement of the applicant’s qualifications for the research proposed (language ability, previous or projected training or experience)
- Timeline of proposed research.
- Detailed explanation of research plans. Use this worksheet as a guide. Submit your responses to these questions or rewrite your answers in a narrative form.
Budget
Applicants must submit a budget for their estimated research costs, citing or explaining how they arrive at the amount of funding requested.
- The fellowship can cover costs related to travel, per diem, research equipment, photocopying, and/or transcription services.
- Funding does not cover payment or stipends for assistants, collaborators or interviewees.
- For airfare and other travel costs, refer to travel consolidator websites such as Expedia.com or Kayak.com.
- Applicants should use the GSA or State Department websites for information about per diem rates.
Only applications for virtual oral history, digital archival research, or research that does not require a travel or per diem line item may include hourly compensation of up to $1000.
For questions about the application process, contact faculty on the Stasneck Committee: Prof. Ahona Panda (Ahona.Panda@ClaremontMcKenna.edu) or Sarah Sarzynski (sarah.sarzynski@ClaremontMcKenna.edu).
What types of projects are eligible?
Student projects tied to a senior thesis or another formal, substantive project in history are eligible. To qualify the student must work under the supervision of a member of the history faculty. Dual and double majors writing a senior thesis in another department may qualify so long as they have a member of the history department serving as the second reader and the thesis has a historical component.
The funds may not be used to fulfill the requirements of a course the student is currently taking.
We encourage projects that will be undertaken during summer and winter breaks, although smaller projects are possible during the spring and fall breaks.
Do I have to be a CMC student to apply?
Yes.
Do I have to be a history major to apply?
No. Non-majors are eligible as long as they have taken history courses, their faculty sponsor is a member of the history department, and their research topic falls within the field of history. However, preference will be given to history majors and potential history majors.
What is required to apply?
The application package must include:
- An application cover sheet
- A two-page research project proposal
- A research budget
- A copy of the applicant’s unofficial transcript
What are the responsibilities of the faculty sponsor?
The role of the faculty sponsor is to guide you in putting together your proposal and to provide ongoing support and guidance of your research should your fellowship be granted.
Can I apply for more than one fellowship in a given semester?
No, a student may apply for only one fellowship in a given semester.
Am I eligible for a fellowship as a freshman?
Yes, but we will give preference to those who have completed a history course by the beginning of the project.
Can I apply for a fellowship while studying abroad?
Yes, as long as your proposal is supported by CMC history faculty member.
Can I apply if I have received a Stasneck Fellowship in the past?
You may apply but only for the type of fellowship you have not yet received.
Is it possible to view previous Stasneck Fellowship projects?
Yes, past Stasneck Fellowship projects are available here.
Is it possible to view examples of budget proposals?
Applicants can find example budget proposals here.
What happens to the projects?
The projects will be read by the Stasneck Fellowship Committee in the History Department. The reports will be kept in the History Department for use by students and faculty. In addition, you may be asked to present your work.
What should I do if I have other questions?
Consult a member of the Stasneck Fellowship Committee.
Talk to the CMC History faculty member you would like to be your sponsor.