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Arts & Humanities Division

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Within the Arts & Humanities Division, fellowships offer students the opportunity to pursue research, creative projects, or other scholarly engagement within the arts and humanities disciplines.  Grants are most typically awarded for the pursuit of scholarly research both independently or in collaboration with faculty members, but grants are available which support students interested in language immersion and engagement in the creative arts in the form of independent projects or established experiential programs.  In recent years, students have participated in archeological digs, have engaged in intensive language study abroad, have traveled to historic architectural landmarks to conduct research, and have joined professional artists in extended studio art practice, for example. These projects allow students to gain valuable research, cultural, or other professional exposure during the summer months.

When developing a research topic within the Arts & Humanities Division, students should identify the question or area that most interests them and consider the scholarly base of work that exists related to this topic. Consultation with a faculty member on a research idea is an invaluable component of developing a sound project proposal. Faculty members may help to guide a student through the initial phase of project development, and students should draw upon their expertise whenever possible.

Interested students must submit a detailed proposal outlining the proposed project, a detailed budget, and an explanation of how the project enhances their overall academic program. Students are also highly encouraged to consult with a faculty member about their project design and proposal prior to submission. All applications require a recommendation from a Swarthmore faculty member in order to be considered complete. Students should contact the faculty member directly to discuss their project and ask for this recommendation.  This request should come well in advance of the application period. During the application process, students will submit the faculty member’s name as part of their online application which will then prompt the faculty member to respond to the recommender prompts.

For more information regarding the application process and the program, students should familiarize themselves with the INFORMATION and FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Arts & Humanities Division - Summer Opportunities

View the list of summer opportunities that are available through the Arts & Humanities Division 

The maximum award for all opportunities is $6,000 (unless otherwise indicated) and questions about these grants can be directed to either your faculty advisor or the Arts & Humanities Division Chair - Luciano Martinez (lmartin1@swarthmore.edu).

Summer Research Abroad

For students whose proposed projects take place abroad:

NOTE: Summer opportunities may be limited due to COVID-19.  See application materials for more information.

Students who plan on conducting research or engaging in an international experience are required to complete a Travel Registry with the Global Engagement Office. In addition, students must complete a Summer Pre-Departure Orientation program, and complete a travel health consultation by the Worth Health and Wellness Center. As part of the proposal, students must indicate all countries they plan to travel to as part of their project. Students must contact the Global Engagement Office if their proposed project is in a country for which a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory has been issued (www.travel.state.gov/content/), or if they plan to travel to a portion of a country with a level 1 or 2 travel advisory that has increased risks. In these cases, additional vetting of the project proposal is necessary before permission and funding will be granted.  Successful applicants will receive information about these requirements and a timeline for completion.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Please visit the IRB website for information about the IRB submission and review process, guides for preparing a submission for IRB review, and training requirements for human subjects research.

The IRB has created a web-based survey to help you determine if your project may require IRB review. Please visit the IRB website to learn more and to access the survey at http://www.swarthmore.edu/institutional-review-board/human-subjects-research-decision-guide.

If you have questions or need assistance in navigating the IRB submission process, please contact Jena Fioravanti at jfiorav1@swarthmore.edu.

Tax Information

Taxes are not withheld from fellowship awards, nor does the College report the award to the IRS; however, it is considered income to the recipient.  When filing your tax return, the amount of the grant should be reported.  Please consult a tax professional if you have questions or require assistance.

Contact Information

If you have any general application questions, please contact Corey Falls, (cfalls1@swarthmore.edu or x8085)