Opportunities in Research: Travel Grant Program

The Hartman Center provides yearly Travel to Collection Grants for faculty, students, and independent scholars interested in the holdings found at the Center.  The program supports research of  sales, advertising and marketing history.  (see a list of past recipients and their research topics). 

There are three types of grants available from the Hartman Center:

The FOARE Fellowships for Outdoor Advertising Research provide $1000 in funding for up to three researchers per year.  Recipients must plan research trips lasting a minimum of10 days primarily focusing on the use of collections found in the Outdoor Advertising Archives. The Outdoor Advertising Archives document many diverse topics, including the creative, technological, financial and legislative aspects of the outdoor advertising industry; billboard architecture; public service campaigns; highway beautification efforts; retail selling; and market research. These collections include materials from outdoor companies, trade organizations, the personal collections of various executives and creative people who worked in the industry, and related books and periodicals.  See this collection guide for more information on these collections.

The John Furr Fellowships for JWT Research provide $1000 in funding for up to three individuals per year.  Recipients must plan research trips lasting a minimum of two weeks primarily using collections found in the J. Walter Thompson Archives.  The JWT archives hold over 5,000 linear feet dating as far back as the 19th century and as recent as the 21st century. The collections document the pioneering role of JWT in the advertising industry and illustrates the changes in the broader industry over the past 100 years through its own growth and diversification.

The Hartman Center Travel Grants provide up to $750 to support those individuals whose research focus includes the use of any Hartman Center collections and whose research trips may last any length of time.

We strongly encourage applicants to speak with the Reference Archivist at the Hartman Center  before applying for a grant. Past applications have demonstrated that those who spoke with the archivist about their projects produced stronger applications.  We are happy to help identify potential collections and books of which you may not otherwise be aware.

Uses of Grant Money
Grant money may be used for travel to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, costs of copying pertinent archival resources, and living expenses while pursuing research here.

The Application Process
Application forms are available from the Rubenstein Library web site.  Applicants are required to estimate their travel expenses on the form. Travel must originate from at least 100 miles away from Duke University. All applicants must submit a 250-500 word essay summarizing their project and detailing why the Hartman Center collections are essential to their research. Including a list of specific collections or resources to be consulted is helpful. Submit the completed form and required attachments to "Grants Program" at the address below, c/o Lynn Eaton or via e-mail.

Grants are also available from the Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture  the The John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.  If you wish to apply to more than one center for the same project, simply check the appropriate boxes at the top of the application form to indicate that you have chosen this option. Grants will not exceed $1,000 even if awarded jointly.  Joint pplicants are also encouraged to contact the appropriate reference archivist for each of the other centers prior to applying.

Deadlines
The next cycle of awards will be for use between April 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Request application information at any time. Applications (including letters of recommendation for students) must be received or postmarked by March 29, 2013. Awards will be announced on or before April 30, 2013. 

The Rubenstein Library is undergoing renovation!  Reference services will be limited from January 7-February 15, 2013 as we move over the collections to our new space. Read more about this transition. Please plan your travel accordingly. Other holiday closings and regular hours are posted online.

Previous Recipients of Awards
Please see the following page for a list of recipients from previous years, including institutional affiliation and  research interest.

List of Previous Hartman Center Travel Grants Recipients

Mailing Address
The mailing address for all three centers is:
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Box 90185
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708-0185 U.S.A.

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