In our experience, seminars are greatly enriched by the diversity of their members. We welcome applications from tenured, tenure-track, adjunct and non-tenured faculty, independent scholars, and advanced graduate students. Applicants with a variety of perspectives on religion and secularism, and those concerned with the novel from a range of disciplines, are encouraged to apply.  

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2019 NEH SUMMER SEMINARS and INSTITUTES for COLLEGE and UNIVERSITY TEACHERS 

APPLICATION INFORMATION and INSTRUCTIONS 

Please review the eligibility criteria for participation in NEH Summer Seminars and Institutes as an NEH Summer Scholar at 

http://www.neh.gov/files/divisions/education/eligibility/college_university_eligibility_criteria.pdf 

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 seminar provides an intimate and focused environment in which sixteen participants (NEH Summer Scholars) study a specific humanities topic under the guidance of one or two established scholars. Seminars have few, if any, visiting faculty. They emphasize sustained interaction among the participants and director(s) through discussion of common readings, conversations about teaching, and advising on independent projects. 

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. 

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. 

Application essays should explain how the specific 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 institute. 

We anticipate that the majority of those selected will be scholars working on some aspect of religion, secularism, or postsecularity in British, American, and global Anglophone fiction since the eighteenth century, but we welcome applicants whose work intersects with the seminar in some other way (e.g. historians and theologians). Knowing that diverse viewpoints are the grounds of a productive seminar, we welcome applicants from the full range of perspectives on religion, secularism, and postsecularity. 

Three seminar spaces and five institute spaces must be reserved for non-tenured/non-tenure-track faculty members. Two seminar spaces and 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. 

STIPEND, TENURE, AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD

Each participant will receive a stipend according to the duration of the Seminar or Institute, whether one ($1,200) two ($2,100), three ($2,700), or four ($3,300) weeks. The stipend is intended to help cover travel, housing, meals, and basic academic expenses. Stipends are taxable.

Seminar and institute participants must attend all meetings and engage fully as professionals in the work of the project. During the project, participants may not undertake teaching assignments or professional activities unrelated to their participation in the project. Those who, for any reason, do not complete the full tenure of the project will receive a reduced stipend.

At the end of the project's residential period, NEH Summer Scholars are expected to submit an online evaluation of the seminar or institute.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Prior to applying to a specific seminar or institute, please study the project website and carefully consider the project’s expectations and requirements.

1. The Application Cover Sheet * Complete the cover sheet online at: https://securegrants.neh.gov/education/participants/

* Follow the prompts.

* Before you click the “submit” button, print the cover sheet and add it to your application package. Then click “submit.”

* You will be asked if you want to fill out a cover sheet for a second project. If you do, repeat the process.

* Do not use the same cover sheet for different projects.

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 AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Applications must be submitted to the project directors, not the NEH, no later than March 1, 2019. Applications sent to the NEH will not be reviewed. Send your application in PDF format to: NEH-PostsecularNovel@uiowa.edu. Please send a follow-up email if you do not receive a confirmation of receipt of your application within 3-4 days.

Successful applicants will be notified of their selection on Friday, March 29, 2019. They will have until Friday, April 5, 2019 to accept or decline the offer.

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).