The Endowment Fund of the Popular Culture Association and the American Culture Association was established in 1997 as a commitment to the long-term future of the study of American culture and popular culture in all its forms, venues, contexts, and exchanges. Since that first group of about 20 contributors made an investment in the future of the two organizations and their roles in priority research and critical inquiry, hundreds of individuals and organizations have contributed and helped increase the Endowment to its current level of about $1,000,000.
What is distinctive and special about the PCA/ACA Endowment is that it incorporates contributions of various levels and reflects a broad-based support. An endowment is the hallmark of professional academic organizations that believe their work has substantial cultural significance and impact as well as long-term implications and applications.
In 2012, thirty-two scholarships ($300) will be given to support graduate student travel to the meeting and twelve ($500) to early-career faculty. Ten scholarships ($500) will be offered to visiting international scholars. Research and travel to collection grants ($750) will be given to three individuals and one grant ($5,000) will go to support collection building.