Global Early Modern Studies Travel and Research Grant

The Global Early Modern Studies (GEMS) Certificate Program offers a grant to help students at the CUNY Graduate Center travel to collections (libraries, archives, museums, etc.) for research projects in early modern studies. 
 
To be eligible, students must 1) be matriculated in a doctoral or master’s program at the CUNY Graduate Center at the time of application; 2) be working on a research project related to the early modern period (roughly 1350-1700); and 3) be registered in the Global Early Modern Studies Certificate Program. Previous grant recipients are not eligible to apply. 
 
Applications will be judged on 1) the project’s originality and its potential scholarly contribution; and 2) the significance of the collection in relation to the research project and on the effective use of the materials to be consulted.  
 
Students interested in applying must submit an online application, which can be found here (https://www.gc.cuny.edu/global-early-modern-studies/awards-and-grants/renaissance-and-early-modern-travel-and-research-grants), with 1) a description of the research project (no more than 1000 words), including the current stage of the project; 2) a description of the collection to which the applicant is traveling, and how it will further the proposed project; 3) an itemized budget (including cost of transportation, lodging, and registration); 4) a curriculum vitae. 
 
Applicants must also ask a GC faculty member who is working with them to upload a letter of recommendation.  Instructions for this are on the application and will also be sent to the faculty member. 
 
The deadline to submit an application for the 2024-2025 Global Early Modern Studies Travel and Research Grant is January 17, 2025.   
 
Applications will be judged by a panel of three GC faculty members. 
 

The grant recipient will be offered an award of up to $1,500 to be used towards expenses related to their travel/research.  They will have to present original receipts for expenditures within thirty (30) days of being incurred, after which grant amounts will be finalized and paid. 

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Graduate Student Essay Prize in Global Early Modern Studies  

The Program in Global Early Modern Studies (GEMS) will be offering a prize of $200 for an essay on an early modern topic written by a student at the CUNY Graduate Center.  The purpose of the prize is to encourage future Early Modern scholarship by recognizing scholarly promise in a graduate student.   

To be eligible, students must be matriculated in a Masters or Ph.D. program at the CUNY Graduate Center at the time of writing and submission of the essay. 

Previous winners of the prize are not eligible. The essay must deal with a topic within the chronological period 1350-1700. Submissions should be 15-30 pages in length, double-spaced. The essay may be a seminar paper or part of a dissertation.  

Submissions for the prize must be approved by a CUNY faculty member who has taught at least one course in early modern studies at the Graduate Center.  

Essays will be judged on the following criteria:   

1) contribution to scholarship  

2) originality of insight and research  

3) clarity and eloquence  

4) effectiveness of documentation.  

For the 2024-2025 academic year, applications and supporting material must be submitted and uploaded here by January 17, 11:59 pm.  

Faculty members will be sent a separate email from us asking to approve the student’s submission.  

Essays will be judged by a panel of three CUNY faculty members. The winner will be contacted via email.