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Apply for the American Studies Undergraduate Student Grant!

Accepting Proposals on a Rolling Basis

The Department of American Studies invites applications for the American Studies Undergraduate Student Grant for students who are majoring in American Studies or minoring in Public Humanities or Asian American Studies to apply for a research grant and/or professional development grant in the amount of $500.

Eligibility:
Undergraduate students enrolled at UMBC who are majoring in American Studies or minoring in Public Humanities or Asian American Studies programs. 

Grants may be used for the following purposes. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and we are open to hearing your ideas for how this fund can support your work and development:

  • Funding to support an Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) submission or presentation
  •  Funding to support materials for an independent research project or independent study
  • Funding to support a capstone project in American Studies 490
  • Funding to support original research in public humanities or Asian American studies
  • Funding to support an unpaid internship
  • Funding to support regular coursework
  • Professional Development (including but not limited to LSAT or GRE prep courses and other professional degree preparation coursework)
Application process:
To apply, send an email to the department chair, Professor Tamara Bhalla (tbhalla@umcb.edu), and the program management specialist, Morgan Dowty (morgando@umbc.edu) and cc your faculty mentor with the subject line: AMST Undergraduate Student Grant Application.

In the email:
  • Describe in 100-150 words what you propose to use the funding to support.
  • Be as specific as you can: please explain what the funds will be used for and what they will be supporting.
  • Tell us what time frame you will need to expend the funds.
  • Identify a faculty mentor in the department who will support you in your use of the funds.
Be sure to ask them prior to submitting your application. Do not presume your professor or advisor will support you without asking.

Funding Cycle and Deadlines:
  • For the 2023-2024  academic year, we will accept proposals on a rolling basis.
This grant was made possible through generous donations from Sheldon and Jamie Caplis and Dr. Patrice McDermott. Mr Caplis served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement from 1993 to 2008 and Dr. McDermott is the former Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (and previously served as chair and associate professor in American Studies).

Posted: March 1, 2024, 1:32 PM