NEH Seminars and Institutes provide opportunities for college and university faculty to enrich and revitalize their understanding, scholarship, and teaching of humanities topics that bear upon undergraduate education. These specific study opportunities are not intended to duplicate graduate- level courses.
Each institute allows twenty-five to thirty-six participants (NEH Summer Scholars) to pursue an intensive program of study under a team of scholarly experts, who present a range of perspectives on a humanities topic. Participants and scholars mutually explore connections between scholarship and teaching of the topic.
In any given year, an individual may apply to two Seminars or Institutes, but may attend only one.
Depending on public-health guidelines related to COVID-19, plans for a residential offering are subject to change.
Selection Criteria
A selection committee comprised of the project director and two or more colleagues evaluates all complete applications to select a group of NEH Summer Scholars and identify alternates.
Past NEH summer programs in cartographic studies for higher education scholars organized by the Newberry Library have been well represented by scholars from a wide variety of institutional contexts, including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and universities, all with an interest in the history and theory of maps and mapping that is not easily accommodated by their home or local institutions. This seminar is designed to be accessible, relevant, and of interest to scholars and teachers across humanities fields who have not had the opportunity to study the history and theory of mapping in depth, or who may have little opportunity to work in collections rich in historic maps, but who would like to become conversant with the history of cartography as it relates to their respective areas of research and teaching.
Application essays should explain how this program will benefit the participant professionally. They should, therefore, address the following:
- your quality and commitment as a teacher, scholar, and interpreter of the humanities;
- your intellectual interests as they relate to the topic of the seminar or institute;
- your special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the program;
- evidence that participation will enhance your long-term teaching and scholarship; and
- if appropriate, an independent project and its potential contribution to the seminar or
Five institute spaces must be reserved for non-tenured/non-tenure-track faculty members. Three institute spaces may be reserved for advanced graduate students. First consideration is given to those who have not previously attended an NEH Seminar or Institute. When choices must be made between equally qualified candidates, preference is given to those who would enhance the diversity of the program.
Eligibility Criteria
Participants must be United States citizens, residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. U.S. citizens teaching abroad at U.S. chartered institutions are also eligible to participate. Foreign nationals teaching abroad are not eligible to participate.
Individuals may not apply to participate in a Summer Seminar or Institute whose director is a family member, who is affiliated with the same institution, who has served as an academic advisor to the applicant, or who has led a previous NEH summer program attended by the applicant.
Participants may not be delinquent in the repayment of federal debt (e.g., taxes, student loans, child support payments, and delinquent payroll taxes for household or other employees). Individuals may not apply to participate in a Summer Seminar or Institute if they have been debarred or suspended by any federal department or agency.
To be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete application as indicated on the individual seminar or institute’s website. Please review the NEH’s Eligibility Criteria.
Application Instructions
1. Personal and Institutional Information
Please complete application questions about yourself and your institution.
2. A Résumé and References
Please include a résumé or curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages). Include the name, title, phone number, and e-mail address of two professional references.
3. The Application Essay
The application essay should be no more than four double-spaced pages. It should address your interest in the subject to be studied; qualifications and experiences that equip you to do the work of the seminar or institute and to make a contribution to the learning community; a statement of what you want to accomplish by participating; and, if appropriate, description of an independent project and its relation to your professional responsibilities.
Submission of Applications
Create a log-in and password for Newberry’s SlideRoom account, where you will upload all of your information and application materials:
Applications must be submitted to SlideRoom, not the NEH. The deadline for submission is March 1, 2022. Applicants will be notified of their status on March 25, 2022 and accepted applicants must confirm they will be attending by April 8, 2022.
Note: Once you have accepted an offer to attend any NEH Summer Program (NEH Summer Seminar or Institute), you may not accept an additional offer or withdraw in order to accept a different offer.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Endowment programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age. For further information, write to the Equal Opportunity Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. TDD: 202/606-8282 (this is a special telephone device for the Deaf).
Mapping the Early Modern World 