Travel Grants

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 the past year’s recipients and their research topics). 

There are two types of grants available:  the J. Walter Thompson Research Fellowships and the more general Travel Grants. 

The JWT Research Fellowships provide $1000 in funds for up to three individuals planning research trips for a minimum of two weeks primarily use 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 general 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 Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, costs of copying pertinent archival resources, and living expenses while pursuing research here.

The Application Process
Application forms are available from the Special Collections web site.  Applicants are required to estimate their travel expenses on the form. Travel must originate from at least 60 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 John Hope Franklin Collection of African and African-American Documentation.  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 March 2009 and August 2010. Request application information at any time. Applications (including letters of recommendation for students) must be received or postmarked by January 30, 2009. Awards will be announced on or before March 15, 2009.

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

2007 Recipient List

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