Best History Grants in Pennsylvania

Doctoral candidates at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities conducting Smithsonian-based research in fields like history of science, American history, art history, or anthropology can receive up to US $50,000, including a research allowance. The Smithsonian Institution provides Pennsylvania history scholars and peers across member campuses with 3–12 month fellowships to advance dissertation research.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) public charities seeking up to US $10,000 for tangible items to support history-related programs may be eligible, including museums, historical preservation, and humanities projects. Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation prioritizes organizations in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania, with additional consideration for groups across the Commonwealth and select nearby counties.

Doctoral students at U.S. universities researching 19th–early 21st century Russian or Soviet history can receive up to US $28,000 for dissertation research or completion, including projects based in Pennsylvania. With a mission to advance Slavic, East European, and Eurasian studies, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies supports historical and gender-focused scholarship through its Cohen-Tucker Dissertation Fellowships.

Advanced Ph.D. students in history and related fields needing intensive use of the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum collections in Pennsylvania can apply for this nine-month residential predoctoral fellowship. Awards total US $30,000, including stipend and travel/research funds, for dissertation work connected to American history, history of science, or Native American culture and heritage.

American history and history of science scholars in Pennsylvania can receive $3,000 to $9,000 for 1–3 month residential research fellowships using the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum collections in Philadelphia. Eligible applicants include Ph.D. holders, advanced Ph.D. candidates, and degreed independent scholars, with some preference for those living 75+ miles from the city.

Doctoral candidates (ABD) and postdoctoral scholars in history and related fields can seek short-term research fellowships to work with North American primary sources. Focus areas include German and European history, German-American relations, and international relations. Pennsylvania-based researchers may benefit from German Historical Institute funding if their projects meet these criteria.

Graduate students and scholars researching American history, ethnic and immigrant experiences, or related social and cultural topics can receive US $3,000 for a one-month residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grants from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania help history researchers access extensive archival collections, including Balch Institute materials, to support advanced historical projects in the post-17th century United States and Atlantic world.

Authors and publishers with scholarly books on the history of American law and society can seek recognition and US $1,000 through the Littleton-Griswold Prize, open nationwide including Pennsylvania. Focused on historical scholarship, the American Historical Association honors the best 2025 copyright book, with winners announced online and at its annual meeting.

Authors or publishers with 2025 English-language history books on the United States, Latin America, or Canada can apply for the Beveridge Family Prize, awarding US $1,000 for outstanding historical writing. Based nationally, the American Historical Association honors distinguished biographies, monographs, and interpretive works, so Pennsylvania history scholars and presses may be eligible.

Pennsylvania scholars and researchers in history and related fields can receive monthly stipends to conduct on-site research at the Lloyd Library and Museum in Cincinnati. History and history of science applicants may be eligible for this Curtis Gates Lloyd Research Fellowship, which supports one- to three-month projects using the Library’s specialized collections.

College-bound or current undergraduate and graduate students studying history or related fields such as museum studies, archival management, library science, historic preservation, or American Studies may be eligible for this scholarship. Focused on history disciplines, the Community Foundation of Carroll County offers US $1,000 awards that can support Pennsylvania students pursuing these academic or traditional arts pathways.

Advanced Ph.D. candidates researching the American Revolution and Founding Era can receive a nine‑month residential predoctoral fellowship in Pennsylvania to complete their dissertations using local archival collections. With a mission to support historical scholarship, American Philosophical Society provides historians with a US $30,000 package, including stipend and travel/research funds, for work in the Philadelphia area.

Advanced Ph.D. students researching the history of science, technology, or medicine can access funding through the American Philosophical Society for a nine‑month residential predoctoral fellowship in Pennsylvania. Awards of US $30,000 support dissertation completion, including a $25,000 stipend and $5,000 for travel and research at the APS Library & Museum and nearby institutions.

Graduate students completing Ph.D. dissertations on the American Revolution and Founding Era (1750–1800) can access funding for a nine-month residential fellowship in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania history scholars may be eligible to use the American Philosophical Society’s David Center collections; awards are US $30,000 to support advanced dissertation research.

The Award for Graduate Study in American History, offered by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Illinois (NSCDA-IL), provides $3,000 annually to a graduate student. This award supports research that enhances understanding of America's development from colonial times to the present, with a preference for those intending to teach. NSCDA-IL fosters appreciation for our national heritage through educational initiatives and historic preservation.

Historians and scholars studying the American Revolution and Founding Era can receive US $3,000 for one month of resident research in Pennsylvania. The American Philosophical Society supports Ph.D. holders, advanced Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars needing access to its David Center and Early American history collections in Philadelphia, with preference for those living 75+ miles away.

Historians, Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars researching Revolutionary-era American history in Pennsylvania can apply for the American Philosophical Society’s short-term residential fellowship, awarding US $3,000 for one month of research. Projects must use collections in the Greater Philadelphia region; applicants living 75 or more miles from Philadelphia receive some preference.

Scholars based outside the U.S. researching American Revolution and Founding Era history can apply for American Philosophical Society’s David Center fellowships, which provide US $5,000 to support archival work in Pennsylvania and other U.S. locations. Eligible applicants include Ph.D. holders, advanced Ph.D. candidates, and degreed independent scholars needing APS Library & Museum collections.

Authors of history, literature, or cultural studies books on British topics from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century who are U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents can receive recognition and US $500 for their work. The North American Conference on British Studies awards the John Ben Snow Prize annually, and Pennsylvania scholars may be eligible.

The Judith R. Walkowitz Article Prize, awarded annually by the North American Conference on British Studies, recognizes the best published article addressing gender and sexuality in British culture. This prize honors Professor Walkowitz’s significant contributions to the fields of gender and cultural studies. Open to scholars in North America, it encourages diverse perspectives across disciplines and time periods, with a cash award of $250 to support ongoing research and scholarship in British Studies.

The M.A. Essay Prize, awarded by the North American Conference on British Studies (NACBS), recognizes exceptional original research by students in stand-alone M.A. programs in the U.S. and Canada. With a prize of $500, it encourages scholarly excellence and invites winners to submit their work for publication. Faculty nominations are required, ensuring deserving candidates receive recognition for their academic contributions, thereby fostering a vibrant academic community within British studies.

The NACBS Undergraduate Essay Prize, awarded by The North American Conference on British Studies, recognizes outstanding essays on British topics from undergraduates at U.S. and Canadian universities. Each year, up to eight prizes of $100 are given, encouraging submissions from diverse fields including History, English, and Cultural Studies. This initiative aims to promote scholarly engagement with British Studies, fostering a deeper understanding of its historical and cultural contexts during the 2023-24 academic year.

The Beckman Center Fellowships at the Science History Institute offer unique two-year curatorial fellowships for scholars interested in the history of science. These positions provide career training, mentorship, and a platform for independent research. Applicants with advanced degrees are encouraged to apply, benefiting from a supportive community and a competitive salary of $55,000, along with a $1,500 annual stipend for professional development. A cover letter and CV are required for application.

The Beckman Center Fellowships at the Science History Institute offer 12-month postdoctoral opportunities for scholars engaged in research on science, medicine, and technology. These fellowships support full-time research and participation in a vibrant scholarly community. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or defend their dissertation by July 2026, and they receive a stipend of $50,000, along with additional funding for travel and health insurance. Ideal for researchers seeking collaborative engagement.

The Beckman Center Fellowships offer 12-month postdoctoral research opportunities at the Science History Institute, aimed at scholars who have completed their doctoral studies. With a stipend of $50,000, fellows engage in research, contribute to scholarly programs, and benefit from a vibrant academic community. Applicants must reside within 20 miles of Philadelphia, ensuring active participation in institute activities. This unique fellowship promotes the historical study of science, medicine, and technology, fostering global collaboration among researchers.

The Beckman Center Fellowships support graduate students conducting research for their doctoral dissertations for nine months. Offered by the Science History Institute, these fellowships include a stipend of $27,500 and up to $2,500 for health insurance. Recipients must engage in the fellowship community by participating in writing groups and lectures. Applicants must have their dissertation proposals accepted and reside within 20 miles of Philadelphia, fostering a collaborative scholarly environment.