Presentation

Terra Foundation Research Travel Grants provide support for research on topics concerning American art and visual culture prior to 1980. These grants enable scholars outside the United States to consult resources that are only available within the United States. Grant funding is available for short-term travel that gives scholars:

• An opportunity to discover new source material;
• Experience works of art first-hand in museums and private collections;
• Make contact with artists, art dealers, archivists, curators, university scholars, etc.;
• Consult local archives and library collections;
• Establish professional networks for future research. 

Eligibility and Application Information 

The foundation only accepts proposals from doctoral students and postdoctoral and senior scholars outside the United States.

Grant requirements:

• Travel should be undertaken within one calendar year after the announcement of the selection results.
• Final report must be submitted within three months of completion of travel. It should include a description of the travel undertaken as a result of the grant, an assessment of the research accomplished, and a financial report detailing grant expenditures.
• Recipients must acknowledge the support of TFAA in any publication that results from research conducted during the grant.

Download the Research Travel Grant application. 

Selection Process

Selection of fellows is made by an independent selection committee. 

Deadline

Applications are due

January 15, 2016.

Awards will be announced in May 2016. 

Information about Funding

Nine to thirteen grants are awarded annually (up to 5 of them are specifically dedicated to scholars from Asia, Africa, and Latin America) as follows:

• Up to $6,000 per grant for doctoral students from Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand;
• Up to $7,000 per grant for doctoral students from Asia, Africa, and Latin America;
• Up to $9,000 per grant for all postdoctoral and senior scholars.

Grant funds will be disbursed in two installments. The first installment (80% of the total grant) is paid before the recipient’s departure to the United States. The second installment (up to 20% of the total grant) is paid to the recipient after receipt of the final report.

Funds can be used for related transportation, lodging, meals, and research fees and expenses of the Grantee only (not of family, travel companions, etc). They cannot be used for the purchase of computers or other equipment

Submission guidelines

Completed application forms and all required attachments must be written in English and submitted by email to  travelgrants@terraamericanart.eu  by January 15, 2016. Submitted applications must include the following to be considered: 

I. Doctoral Student or Postdoctoral and Senior Scholar Application Form (see below)  

II. Attachments (please include one copy of each of the following):  

• Curriculum vitae  
• Description of the research project that demonstrates the need for travel to the United States (5 pages maximum) 
• Detailed description of the proposed itinerary with destinations and travel dates
• Itemized travel budget in U.S. dollars with narrative and details, including the following:
  • Total travel costs with details of expenses broken down into relevant categories, which may include travel, lodging, meals, and research fees and expenses, including conferences fees, photocopies and photos, museum tickets etc.
  • Amount of funds requested from the Terra Foundation and their proposed use (note that the maximum grant award available is $6,000 for doctoral candidates from Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; $7,000 per grant for doctoral candidates from Asia, Africa, and Latin America; $9,000 for postdoctoral and senior scholars)
• A copy or scan of a government issued picture ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• Two letters of recommendation (for doctoral students, one letter should be written by the applicant's dissertation advisor). Letters must be sent by email directly by their authors to  travelgrants@terraamericanart.eu  (letters must be signed and scanned.) Letters from previous applications cannot be reused. Recommenders must submit new letters each year.

Questions about the 2016 Research Travel Grant application or submission process should be directed to  travelgrants@terraamericanart.eu  or +33 1 43 20 82 65.

The Terra Foundation will send a confirmation email indicating that either the application is complete or more information is required. If you do not receive this email, your application has not been received.