Abernethy Endowment Grant
The George L. Abernethy Endowment supports independent student research, creative works, and other experiential learning opportunities in the humanities, arts, or social sciences.
Projects can occur in the United States and/or abroad and during the academic year and/or the summer. Grant awards average about $2,000 but have ranged from $250 to $5900.
Some recently funded projects include:
- Travel to Rwanda and Ethiopia to do research and conduct interviews with the goal of exploring the extent to which economic development contributes to sustainable peace in countries emerging from conflict.
- A journey along a historic pilgrimage route in Spain with plans to produce a series of paintings along the way reflecting on the experience.
- A series of regional archival, library, and historic sites visit to explore the contextual background to the works of a couple of noted literary authors.
- A survey-based exploration of how political messaging within today’s evolving media ecosystem affects the political attitudes of young men.
Students generally work with a mentor who serves as a touch point throughout their independent project. In agreement to serve as the mentor on the student’s project, faculty will submit a mentorship agreement plan that addresses the feasibility of the project and the nature of the collaboration between the mentor and the students. The selection committee recognizes that the frequency of meetings and nature of mentorship activities may differ between disciplines and encourages applicants to propose a mentoring plan that makes sense for the proposed project and its field of study. Faculty will submit a final review once the student has completed the project and receive a $500 stipend.
Winter Break Deadline: October 1
Summer Deadline: February 1
Faculty Mentor Agreement Deadline: Once an application has been submitted by a student, the students faculty mentor will receive an email with instructions on how to complete their faculty mentor agreement. Mentor agreements will be due October 6th and February 6th respectively.
Please note that research projects requiring technology resources will need to request a consultation regarding technology needs with T&I. Please email the Technology & Innovation Support Center at ti@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2900 to set up an appointment.
Review Committee: Student Study and Research
Contact: Peter Szanton, Assistant Dean for Research Development & Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Apply: If you have questions about the application, please contact Roslyn Pozega, Grant Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs