Society of Winterthur Fellows
​Professional Development Grant Program

Since its inception in 1974, the Society of Winterthur Fellows has dedicated itself to supporting Winterthur's graduate programs and fellows. One of the ways we do this is through the Society of Winterthur Fellows Professional Development Grant Program, administered through the University of Delaware. This generous gift supports current graduate students in the WPAMC and WUDPAC programs who attend conferences, or who need extra support for their thesis research.

Criteria for Review

​Support is competitive and limited. In the 2021 calendar year, WUDPAC Fellows may request funding for up to $500 (up to $750 will be considered for extraordinary initiatives with significant impact), and WPAMC Fellows may request up to $1,000. No student will receive more than one award per academic year, and none are guaranteed funding. All funding must be utilized prior to graduation. SOWF funding is limited per calendar year.

​The awards committee, will generally give preference to:
  • Students in the second year (defined at the end of May) of their program or far advanced on their work.
  • Students who are actively participating in the project or program by conducting research, giving papers, or participating in treatments.
  • Students who try to acquire additional funding from internal University offices or external sources.
  • Students whose application demonstrates relevance to their stated professional goals.

Application Process, Deadlines & Report

  • Download the application form here. You can also download printable guidelines here. 
  • Complete the application form and email it to Laura Olds Schmidt at los@udel.edu. *We prefer that you submit the form as a pdf or MSWord file in an email attachment. 
  • Applications to this fund will be reviewed by the directors of both Winterthur/UD programs and the director(s) of the Center for Material Culture Studies at UD. 
  • You may submit your application at any time, but before travel begins. Allow at least three weeks for approval, as the committee must confer to review these proposals.
  • Remember that this is a competitive process and funding is not guaranteed. Students can request funding below the maximum award amounts.
  • Awards will be dispersed as expenses are incurred; recipients will work with Laura Schmidt and their business administrator at UD for funding dispersal.
  • Grant recipients are required to submit a final report to the Grant Administrator comprising a 500-1,000-word narrative and at least three images within 60 days of completion of the project or educational program. Reports can be submitted via email to grants@sowf.org. Reports may be published in part or in full by the Society of Winterthur Fellows, including posting on the Society's website , distributed through social media platforms, or in the Society's newsletter.​

Inquiries

The amounts and guidelines for the funds are subject to change. For more information about this program, including a successful application and/or final report sample, please contact Laura Olds Schmidt at los@udel.edu. 
Header:  Jessica Chasen, WUDPAC 2017, studies for a first-year chemistry exam.