Special Collections Research Grants

Awards of $3,000 are used for travel and/or research expenses related to the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State’s University Park campus to utilize the Library’s collections for academic research are available in the areas listed below.

Dorothy Foehr Huck Research Award

This award supports researchers using any of the Eberly Family Special Collection Library’s collections. Visit our Collections page for an overview of collection strengths.

Helen F. Faust Women Writers Research Award

This award supports researchers whose work focuses on women writers, and who would benefit from the use of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library’s collections.

Albert M. Petska Eighth Air Force Archives Research Award

This award supports researchers utilizing the Eighth Air Force archive, 1939-2009 at the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.

Mary Ann O'Brian Malkin Research Award

This award supports researchers whose work focuses on the history of dance and dance notation, and who would benefit from using the Malkin collection of early dance, 1531-1804.

William W. Scranton Research Award

This award supports research in the personal papers of the late Governor William W. Scranton covering his legacy as a Pennsylvania congressional representative (1961-1963), governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1963-1967), chair of the Presidential Commission on Campus Unrest, presidential candidate (1964); and U.S. representative to the United Nations (1976-1977).

Please note that not all grants will be available every year. Please refer to the current application for the latest opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants may not be Penn State faculty, staff, or students.
  • Applicants and their research topics must meet the individual requirements of the award for which they apply.
  • Preference will be given to applicants that reside and/or at least 100 miles from Penn State University Park.

Application Requirements

  • Complete an Application Form, which includes uploading a CV.
  • Applications are typically due by the end of August and recipients will be notified by early October each year.

Grant Use Requirements

  • Grant recipients can use the awarded funds for expenses encumbered related to their visit to the Eberly Family Special Collections Library and for the actual costs of the photo duplication services for grantees. All required paperwork must be submitted prior to scheduling the grant recipient's research visits from January 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024. (Exception:  Penn State is closed for winter/holiday break, typically December 22 through January 1. Visit Penn State Human Resources Holiday information for details and typical schedules. Additionally, please check the Special Collections Library hours.
  • Grant recipients will be asked to give a short talk via Zoom about their research. The talk will be scheduled after the research has taken place and during fall 2024.
  • Grant recipients may be subject to tax implications, depending on how the awarded funds are spent. For international grant recipients, this may include tax implications in the United States and in their country of origin.

Contact Instruction & Outreach Specialist, Racine Amos at rla5306@psu.edu with any questions or concerns.