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Scholars Research Program

The Scholars Research Program, funded by the Ulysses S. Grant Association, provides up to 5 grants of $500 each to qualified scholars for on-campus research in the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Papers Collection, located at Mississippi State University. The collection is housed in the Congressional and Political Research Center of the University's Mitchell Memorial Library. Mainly consisting of photocopies and typescripts of Grant correspondence, it was accumulated by the Ulysses S. Grant Association for the preparation of the 31 volumes, Papers of Ulysses S. Grant. The collection is the largest concentration of Grant items anywhere, and only a percentage of the collection appears in the published volumes.

Graduate students and post-doctoral scholars are especially encouraged to apply, although applications from all scholars in nineteenth century American history will be considered. All applications will be subject to anonymous peer-review; final decisions will be made by USGA's three-judge panel. Applications will be reviewed in the order received; applicants will be notified of the judges' decision no later than two months after receipt of application. Awardees must make research visits with a year after date of award notification.

The grant funds must be used for travel, lodging, meals, photocopying and other expenses directly connected to the recipient's research-related expenses in the Grant Collection. Recipients must supply expense receipts before receiving reimbursement from the Association. Researchers are limited to one grant award every three years. Priorities will be given to those applicants who have not previously received awards.

Application Guidelines

The following must be included in the research proposal:

  1. Description of the proposal, not to exceed 500 words
  2. Personal vita
  3. How the applicant thinks the Grant papers will contribute to the proposed subject
  4. Budget proposal
  5. For graduate students, one letter of reference from an established scholar in the specific area of the proposed topic which endorses the significance of the research

Applicants who have questions about the program may contact staff members.

The three-judge panel includes:

  • John F. Marszalek, Executive Director and Managing Editor
  • Michael B. Ballard, Associate Editor
  • James A. Bultema, officer and member of Board of Directors

Travel Grants Awarded

  • Dr. Ron White, Scholar in resident, Huntington Library, working on a Grant biography
  • Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, St. Olaf's College, Minnesota, working on Reconstruction in Alabama
  • Dr. Charles Calhoun, East Carolina University, working on the Grant volume in the University of Kansas Press presidential series

Ulysses S. Grant Association