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Research Support

CSAW Research Support Program

This program seeks to encourage Western American Scholarship by developing and utilizing collections at Cornette Library and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Research Center along with providing grants for faculty and students of WTAMU and other institutions to increase scholarship in this field. CSAW also aims to assist in finding venues for research publication, such as the Panhandle-Plains Historical Review.

Research conducted using CSAW Grant funds can be quantitative or qualitative in nature. Applicants from all disciplines are welcome and encouraged. Your research will help CSAW continue promoting interdisciplinary research that promotes the study of the American West both as a region culturally unique and as a product of broad historical forces.

CSAW Research Grants for Western American Studies 

→ Now accepting applications for 2024 Support 

CSAW currently offers two categories of research grants:

  • CSAW Research Grants (Internal)—available for WTAMU faculty and staff as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Grants up to $2,000 are available depending on the applicant’s research topic and need, and included in that amount, internal applicants can request up to $750 for summary salary replacement used towards research hours.
    • You will need to submit your CV and a one-page project narrative (with bibliography--no page limit) to CSAW Director Alex Hunt at ahunt@wtamu.edu. Have these materials ready before starting the application.
    • Apply here
  • Jo Stewart Randel Research Grants (External)—available for faculty as well as undergraduate and graduate students from other institutes to travel to and conduct research on the WT campus (Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Research Center, Cornette Library Special Collections). Grants up to $2,000 are available depending on the applicant’s research topic and need.
    • You will need to submit your CV and a one-page project narrative (with bibliography--no page limit) to CSAW Director Alex Hunt at ahunt@wtamu.edu. Have these materials ready before starting the application.
    • Apply here

Application Questions

Please prepare answers for the following questions for either grant application:
  1. Prove a brief description of your research project
  2. Explain your project’s relevance to the study of the American West
  3. Explain your need, and how CSAW support would help (need for travel, archival access, etc)
  4. If applicable, describe 1) the project’s relevance to the southern plains region; 2) your need to access regional archives or other resources. Otherwise, indicate "not applicable."
  5. Are you seeking or have you received funding for this project from other sources? If so, please provide detail as to how funding sources are not redundant.

Deadline for the 2024 cycle is extended to May 1, 2024. Winners will be notified by May 15, 2024, and grant funds must be expended before Aug. 31, 2024.

For both categories, projects should relate to the study of the American West (broadly defined) from any disciplinary perspective. Applicants can request funding for research materials (books, reproduction fees, etc.), lodging, travel, meals, and other materials needed to conduct the proposed research.

For assistance budgeting travel-related expenses, applicants can email CSAW Director Alex Hunt at ahunt@wtamu.edu