Funding for Research and Travel
Funding and Travel Grants for Graduate Students in History
There is a wide range of funding available to graduate students through the History Department and other offices on and off campus.
Doctoral Program
All doctoral students who apply for funding are awarded four, five or six-year stipend packages of $18,000 plus full tuition and fees, depending on whether they enter with an MA in hand. Of that $18,000, $4,000 is awarded as a summer fellowship and is contingent upon a commitment to devote at least ten weeks of the summer to degree-related activities, such as completing the Master's thesis, studying for comprehensive exams, or working on the dissertation. While on stipend, students normally serve as apprentices (see the apprenticeship program) in their MA year, then as teaching assistants for three semesters, and then have a semester free of duties while they study for their comprehensive exams. In their fourth year on stipend, students normally teach their own class (usually the U.S. survey), and then they have a year to devote entirely to their dissertation research before working for one final year, usually as consultant in the History Writing Resources Center, as a teaching assistant for Global History, or as an instructor of an undergraduate course. This final year of funding is generously supported by the George Washington Fellowship of the General Society for Colonial Wars, the Glucksman Endowment, the Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Ruffin Tyler Endowment Fund, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
MA Program
Applicants to the full-time Master's Programs may also apply for funding, though is is unlikely that there will be sufficient funds for all students admitted. MA stipends are $4,000. Out of state students who receive as much as $4,000 in funding are also allowed to pay tuition at the in-state rate. Awards are assigned on a merit basis. Students who receive a stipend are assigned as apprentices or, occasionally, as graduate or research assistants. In past years, students have received generous support from the First Families of Virginia, the Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Ruffin Tyler Endowment Fund, the National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, the Jamestown Fellowship, the Donald B. Irwin Memorial Scholarship, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and the Jack E. Morpungo Fellowship.
Research and Conference Travel Funds
There are several sources of travel funds on campus. The Graduate Student Association awards conference travel funds once a year. The Grants Office administers the competition for Minor Research Grants (up to $500). Graduate students can apply to the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies for travel funds as well.
Graduate students who have passed their comprehensive exams may receive Provost Summer Grants of up to $1,500 which fund dissertation research. For international travel, graduate students can apply to the Reves Center whether they are presenting a paper or merely want to attend a conference in their field. The Charles Center oversees students' applications for various national fellowships, some of which are open to graduate students, such as the Fulbright Fellowship, Luce, and Mellon fellowships programs.
Tips for Locating Affordable Housing
Housing is one of the largest expenses that graduate students will incur while conducting archival and other forms of historical research outside of Williamsburg and the surrounding area. Locating affordable housing can als be time consuming and difficult but the resources listed below will help you get your search started.
There are a number of websites that specialize in short term rentals and sublets that you can consult. While this is not an exhaustive list, these are some fo the more reputable sites.
The online classified sections of local newspapers are another online source for housing leads.
Colleges and universities can be a great source for housing options as well. Many schools rent on campus dorm rooms during the summer months and maintain off campus housing websites where you can find individuals looking for short term renters or subletters. You can find information about on and off campus housing under the Housing and Dinning section of most school websites.
If you are conducting research at an archive or other institution, don't hesitate to inquire with the staff concerning affordable housing opportunities in the area.