Gifts from the Thune Family and other generous alumni enable the Department of the History of Art to support majors and minors who wish to travel to see art as a way to enhance their classroom work and begin honors thesis research in the History of Art. Students wishing to apply for summer travel fellowships are also encouraged to submit applications to the fellowships available through the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships in early spring of their sophomore or junior year.
Students should identify at least two potential faculty advisors in the History of Art Department and prepare a proposal that includes a travel and study itinerary exploring a coherent theme. These fellowships aim to enable students to carry out an independent research project and they are not available for summer school programs or courses. The project may eventually become the subject of an honors thesis, but that is not a requirement. The travel may take place in this country or abroad. Fellowship applications will be judged by the History of Art faculty on the basis of originality, coherence, and feasibility. Awards will not generally exceed $3,500, but larger awards will be considered when justified. For very costly travel (over $5,000), students are expected to also apply for support from CURF for additional support.
Recipients are required to use a portion of their grant to buy travel insurance on any plane or rail tickets purchased with the award. Recipients who plan to travel outside the United States must also register with the Penn Global Activities Registry and comply with university guidelines.
The deadline for the travel grant proposal this year is MONDAY, March 20, 2023, 5pm. The proposal with a detailed budget (ca. 2-3 pages and 1/2 page, resp.) should be submitted to the Undergraduate Chair.
The awards will be announced in late March. The recipient shall submit progress reports both midway through the project and after its conclusion, the final report usually by mid-September.