- Public history brings the study of the past to the society of the present.Museum image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com
Public history is a sub-set of the history discipline that connects what scholars learn and study with the knowledge and perceptions of the general public. Forms of Public History include historical societies, museums and education centers. Because Public History is of great benefit to the populace at large and is expensive to maintain, grants are available to subsidize the efforts of professionals and their organizations. Knowing what these grants are, where to find them and how they are used is an important step toward bringing history to life for millions of Americans. - The Department of Education awards grants to those Public Historians and educators who are interested in teaching American History. In early 2010, the federal government set aside more than $116 million for grants. These grants require an application with an abstract detailing the use of the grant and how it applies to the field of Public History. The Department of Education requires that school districts or other educational organizations apply for the funds directly then administer a bulk grant amount. Thus the application processes vary slightly from state to state. Check with the Department of Education for details on which school districts were, and are, eligible for these grants.
ed.gov - The website GovBenefits.org is a user-friendly government database that provides information on scholarships, grants and low-interest loan programs. Among the grants available are those in the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program, which awards money for the education of graduate-level students in areas of critical importance, including Public History and history educators. The grant is administered through accredited universities and colleges, and you must apply for the grant through your office of Financial Aid.
govbenefits.gov - The American Historical Association is a good starting place for those interested in research grants. The grants are relatively small, averaging about $1,000 each, but several awards are given each year. Eligible applicants will be in a graduate program or entering a graduate program within the academic year and be a member of the AHA. Dues are pro-rated based on student status and income. Areas of expertise for the grants range from Latin American history to Colonial American history. Application deadlines fall on February 15 of each year.
American Historical Association
400 A Street, S.E.
Washington DC 20003-3889
202-544-2422
historians.org
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