Richard Maass Research Grant

Purpose: Established to encourage the use of original manuscripts for academic research. Named in memory of legendary collector and founding member Richard Maass (1919-1998). First grant awarded for academic year 1999-2000.

Geographic Scope: United States and International (institutions with Manuscript Society membership)

Eligibility

• Applicant Status: Graduate students pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited college or university
• Institutional Requirement: Must be enrolled at an institution that holds institutional membership in The Manuscript Society as of January 1, 2026
• Academic Level: Preference given to doctoral candidates
• Sponsorship: Must be formally sponsored by the institutional member

Eligible Institutions

Over 60 member institutions including: Arizona State University, Auburn University, Boston College, Boston University, Brown University, Columbia University, Duke University, Harvard University, Indiana University, Louisiana State University, New York University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Washington University in St. Louis, and many others.

Fund Usage

Money is to be used for expenses related directly to research using original manuscripts, including:

• Travel
• Food and lodging
• Document reproduction
• Other research-related costs

Disbursement Model: Funds are paid to the sponsoring institution, which must disburse all monies to the recipient. The university does not retain any funds.

Post-Award Requirements

1. Submit a detailed report to the Scholarship Committee upon research completion
2. Acknowledge The Manuscript Society's support in any publication resulting from the research

Contact Information

Scholarship Committee Chair: Dr. Ellen H. Myers

• Email: myers@manuscript.org
• Application submissions: ManuscriptSocietyGrant@manuscript.org

General Inquiries:

• Website: https://manuscript.org/projects/scholarship-activities
• Executive Director: Shirley Sands, 14003 Rampart Court, Baton Rouge, LA, 225-753-4988, executivedirector@manuscript.org

Background

First established for academic year 1999-2000, the grant has awarded funds to numerous scholars including Kim Todt (2009), Kristen McCabe Lashua (2012), Kameliya Atanasova (2014), Christopher Gillett (2015), Kyle Bond (2018), LeNie Adolphson (2022), Maxwell Pingeon (2023), and Santiago Conti (2024).

How to Apply

Interested students must submit the following materials:

1. Letter of application
2. Résumé
3. Anticipated budget (detailed and realistic, explaining how the $5,000 will be used)
4. Research proposal (no more than 3 double-spaced pages)
5. Letters of recommendation (2-3 letters)
   • At least one letter must be from the thesis or dissertation advisor

File Naming Convention

Each file should start with the applicant's surname, for example:

• SmithProposal
• SmithBudget
• SmithSupportLetter

Submission

Send to: ManuscriptSocietyGrant@manuscript.org

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: February 14 (Valentine's Day)
• Selection Announcement: March 17 (St. Patrick's Day)

Evaluation Criteria

The Scholarship Committee evaluates applications based on:

1. Clear objectives in a well-organized format
2. Manuscript description - description of the manuscripts the student expects to find and how they will support the research project
3. Detailed budget - realistic explanation of how the $5,000 will be used
4. Letters of reference - must explain the significance of the academic project and indicate confidence in the student's ability to complete it

Notification

All applicants will be notified of the scholarship committee's decision soon after March 17.