Summer Funding Opportunities
Summer seems a long way off, but it is still time to be planning your summer funding for research, writing, and skill building! The Center for Premodern Studies may have opportunities that can support you and your students.
Funding for Research
The Center for Premodern Studies offers Union Pacific Research Grants (open to all premodern studies graduate students) and McNally Fellowships open to doctoral students conducting research in Ancient, Late Antique, and/or Medieval Studies. Information on how to apply for these fellowships is available on the research tab of our website. Applications are due by February 27, 2026.
This year we are launching an occasional award in honor of Professor Bernard (Bernie) Bachrach who passed away in 2023. Bachrach was a specialist in medieval military history and taught at UMN for over 50 years. Special priority will be given to projects exploring medieval and/or late antique military studies. Information on how to apply for a Bachrach Graduate Fellowship is available on the research tab of our website. Applications are due by February 27, 2026.
The Center for Premodern Studies can also support research at the Newberry and/or Folger Libraries through our Newberry Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium membership. Additional information is available on the research tab of our website. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis faculty, staff, and students are all welcomed to apply for this support.
Graduate students conducting research on Europe, may also want to consider the Hella Mears Fellowships offered by the Center for German and European Studies. This award provides $6000 in summer funding. Applications for Hella Mears Fellowships are due to CGES by March 8, 2026.
Funding for Skill Building
The Center for Premodern Studies offers Saltus Grants to support a wide range of professional, research, and experimental skill development. Details are available on the research tab of our website. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
If you are looking to build your language and or paleography skills this summer, here are some options to consider beyond UMN:
The Hill Museum and Manuscript Library in Collegeville, MN is offering a FREE, in-person, four-week summer course on the Ge’ez language in partnership with Dumbarton Oaks. Applications are due by February 23, 2026.
In partnership with Dumbarton Oaks and the Zohrab Center of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library in Collegeville, MN will host a FREE, intensive three-week course on Classical Armenian for the intermediate level in summer 2026. Applications are due February 23, 2026.
The Hill Museum and Manuscript Library in Collegeville, MN is offering online summer training in Arabic Manuscript Studies. Applications are due by March 6, 2026. These is a fee for this program, you can contact CPS about possible scholarship support.
The Mediterranean Seminar is offering a number of Summer Skills Seminars. These are intensive seminars taught synchronously online. They include language and manuscript courses and cultural studies skill seminars on coinage, maps, magic, and other topics! Applications are due by April 26, 2026.
The Newberry Library is also planning to host a summer school in Italian Paleography. Applications are due March 15, 2026. CPS can support participation in programming at the Newberry and/or Folger Libraries through our Newberry Renaissance Studies Consortium Membership. See our website for more information.
Funding for Writing
The Center for Premodern Studies will now be hosting its Dissertation Writing Workshop every other summer for a cohort of 4-6 fellows. The workshop is designed to help recently ABD students jump start their dissertation work. The next workshop will be in summer 2027 and led by Dr. Patricia Ahearne-Kroll of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures. Fellows receive at least $5000 in summer support. You can learn more about this workshop model from last year’s call on our website.
