Funding and Award Opportunities
There are various ways your graduate education in medieval studies may be financially supported. Continuing students may apply annually by the February 1 deadline for graduate assistantship funding for the following year. There are also additional opportunities for travel and research support, including the Tashjian Study Fellowship and the Conference Exchange Grant. Students can also apply for reimbursement for expenses associated with conferences or research at the Newberry Library in Chicago.
There are also funding opportunities through the Graduate College at Western Michigan University, which require separate applications. These include the Graduate Student Research Grant and the Graduate Student Travel/Virtual Grant (for participation in conferences).
Medieval Institute funding and awards
The Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University awards:
- Teaching assistantships to students enrolled in the master's program.
- The Richard Rawlinson Center's Tashjian Study Fellowship, which provides support to a master's candidate who has demonstrated interest in the culture and history of early medieval England or manuscript research, typically for a summer research trip.
- Travel grants through the institute's Conference Exchange Grant to support travel to Imbas, an interdisciplinary conference for graduate student scholars, hosted annually by the National University of Ireland, Galway.
- Travel grants through the Newberry Renaissance Consortium Grant to support participation in Center for Renaissance Studies programs or research at the Newberry Library.
Teaching Assistantships
The Medieval Institute customarily employs teaching assistants as instructors or co-instructors of MDVL 2000: Voices of the Middle Ages in the fall and spring semesters. Teaching assistantships are usually awarded to students in good academic standing who are continuing in the master's program.
Application Process
For returning students, the deadline for applications for assistantships for the following academic year is February 1. Returning students must submit:
- A résumé listing teaching experience.
- A narrative response to the following prompt: If you have taught before, write a 700- to 1000-word essay explaining your teaching philosophy and experience. If you have not taught, write a 500-word essay in which you imagine your own approach to teaching.
Returning students must also arrange for two letters of reference from faculty at WMU who are familiar with their academic promise and achievement. Those letters, which should be sent to the director of the Medieval Institute, preferably by email, should address the student's academic performance and suitability for college teaching.
Selection
Assistantships are awarded at the discretion of the director of the Medieval Institute. Teaching assistants are chosen for their scholarship and manifest interest in medieval studies.
Notification
In accordance with the Teaching Assistants Union contract, notification of awards for teaching assistantships is made by March 31 for those who will be employed the following summer session, the following fall and spring semesters, or the following fall semester and by December 1 for those who will be employed the following spring semester.
Tashjian Study Fellowship
The Tashjian Study Fellowship provides support for a student who has demonstrated interest in the culture and history of early medieval England or manuscript research and who is enrolled in the Master of Arts in medieval studies program. To be eligible for the fellowship a student must have successfully completed at least 12 graduate-level credits of coursework in the master's program.
The recipient of the fellowship might conduct research at a major library, take appropriate courses in a recognized program or pursue an organized plan of study or travel during the summer of any given year. It is not required that recipients earn academic credit while holding the fellowship; it is required that they submit a report within 90 days of their return recounting their activities as a fellow.
Find out more about the Tashjian Study Fellowship and how to apply.
Conference Exchange Grant in Medieval Studies
Imbas: The National University of Ireland, Galway, Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Medieval Conference is an interdisciplinary conference for graduate student scholars. The three-day conference gives students the opportunity to present ongoing work and discuss their research with peers in an informal, interdisciplinary setting. The conference also features a senior scholar as keynote speaker.
The Conference Exchange Grant in Medieval Studies provides support for a student enrolled in the master's program in medieval studies at the Medieval Institute to present a 20-minute paper at Imbas. To be eligible, the student must have completed at least 12 graduate-level credits of coursework in the master's program. Participation in the Imbas conference affords the WMU student the opportunity to submit the paper for consideration for publication in the peer-reviewed "Imbas Journal."
Find out more about the Conference Exchange Grant and how to apply.
Newberry Renaissance Consortium Grants
Western Michigan University is a member of the Newberry Library Center for Renaissance Studies Consortium through the Medieval Institute. Faculty, staff and graduate students are eligible to apply for a Newberry Renaissance Consortium Grant to receive travel funding to participate in Center for Renaissance Studies programs or to conduct research at the Newberry Library. Contact the director of the Medieval Institute with questions or for more details.
Hourly Work at the International Congress on Medieval Studies
Medieval Institute Publications and the Medieval Institute hire hourly workers during May to support the Exhibits Hall and the running of the International Congress on Medieval Studies. Details will be shared with students as they become available, usually after the University's spring recess each year.
Graduate College funding and awards
Other funding and award opportunities for graduate students are available from the Graduate College, including:
See the Graduate College's Fellowship and Grants page for other opportunities and for their lists of financial assistance programs offered by other WMU offices and programs outside of WMU.