Background

The Endowment Fund of the Popular 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. In 2023, 85 scholarships will be offered to support travel to the meeting: 20 for graduate students ($500 each), 15 for early-career faculty ($1,000 each), 15 for mid/late-career faculty ($1,000 each), 15 for two-year college faculty ($1,000 each), 10 for international faculty ($1,500 each), and10 for independent scholars ($1,000 each).

 

Individuals who are members of PCA and in good standing may apply for only one grant in any category per yearly cycle. Applying for more than one grant in a single cycle will disqualify the applicant. Every effort will be made to inform applicants of the status of their applications by mid January 2023. For each of the travel awards for presenting at the national conference, the awards will need to be picked up (with government issued ID) at the conference information desk. All international travel award grants will be paid to the recipient in cash. Please remember that the endowment award process is very competitive; it is not a certainty that you will receive one. Please also investigate other sources of funding to cover your conference expenses. If your institution has professional development funding, you should apply as early as possible.

 

Eligibility and Application Information

You must have an account on the PCA site and be an active, paid member for the 2022-2023 year at the time you submit your application. There are no exceptions.

 

Required materials and evaluation criteria for all grant applications:

• Abstract of presentation (submitted to area chair for approval).
• A  statement about the thesis and scope of the presentation. [250 words]
• A brief discussion about the extent to which the presentation contributes to the study of Popular Culture or American Culture.
• A statement about how this presentation will contribute to the applicant’s professional goals.
• An abbreviated CV.

The applications will ask for you to input text about your education, experience, employment, and accomplishments. It may be helpful for you to have your CV on hand as you fill out these applications.

 

Criteria for evaluation

Applications will be evaluated on:

• The quality of the proposal’s thesis and scope.
• The extent to which the paper reflects on and contributes to the study of Popular Culture or American Culture.
• The extent to which the presentation reflects the applicant’s future scholarly and professional goals.

These grants should be considered supplemental for presenting at the national conference. There are many applications received each year in each category. Applicants should make financial arrangements to attend and present even if a grant is not awarded.

 

Please note: your application will not be considered for review unless you hit “submit.” Applications still in draft status will not be considered complete. Membership fees are not refundable.

 

You do not need an acceptance email to apply for a grant.  It is advisable to apply at the same time as you submit your proposal. However, offers of grants are contingent on abstract approval from the Area Chair. There will be no deadline extensions for late acceptances.  

Membership fees are not refundable.

 

Applications are now closed.

 

 

Michael Schoenecke Travel Grant For Graduate Students

In 2023, the Endowment will award 20 grants of $500 each. These travel grants are named after Michael Schoenecke of Texas Tech University, who for many years has provided dedicated leadership to the PCA/ACA organizations, national and regional,  and especially in terms of encouraging and supporting graduate student participation and hosting professional development sessions.

 

Applicants can be either M.A or Ph.D. level students.

 

Peter Rollins Travel Grant For Early-Career Faculty

In 2023, the Endowment will award 15 grants of $1000 each. These travel grants are named after the late Peter Rollins of Oklahoma State University, who worked for many years in the nexus between Popular Culture, film, and history. He served as President of the PCA and was one of the founders of the Southwest/Texas Regional PCA/ACA.

 

To be considered for the Rollins Travel Grant, applicants must have received their doctorate (Ph.D.) within the four years before the national conference. They may be tenure-stream, non-tenure stream, or independent scholars.

 

The John Bratzel Travel Grants For Associate And Full Professors

In 2023, the Endowment will award 15 grants of $1,000 each. These travel grants are named after John Bratzel of Michigan State University, who was a leader in the PCA, holding virtually every office in the Association including Executive Director. He was instrumental in developing Popular Culture Associations around the world as well as professionalizing the organization. This award encourages Associate and Full Professors to attend the conference so they might continue their research in our field, add to the robust networking opportunities at the meeting, and increase mentorship opportunities for members still early in their careers. 

 

Applicants must have achieved the rank of Associate or Full Professor at a four-year college or university.

 

The Diane Calhoun-French Travel Grant For Faculty At 2-Year Colleges

In 2023, the Endowment will award 15 grants of $1,000 each. These travel grants are named in honor of Diane Calhoun-French, whose professional career has been dedicated to two-year colleges. She is a a past-president of the PCA and was one of the founders of the PCA in the South. This PCA travel grant supports travel to the PCA National Conference by faculty working at 2-year colleges. 

 

To be considered for the 2-year college faculty travel grant, applicants must be employed at a 2-year college. They may be tenure-stream, non-tenure stream, or independent scholars.

 

The Michael And Madonna Marsden International Travel Grants

In 2023, the Endowment will award 10 grants of $1,500 each. These travel grants are named in honor of Michael Marsden and the late Madonna Marsden, who were both part of the Popular Culture Association and the American Culture Association from their formative years and throughout their careers. They have both been strong supporters of internationalizing the Popular Culture Association.

 

These travel grants, which are open to scholars at all levels, including graduate students, are intended to support travel to the national conference for individuals who are not residing in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. They are intended to facilitate the participation of international scholars outside of North America at the national meeting.  However, these travel grants are also available for North American scholars to participate in a PCA sponsored international conference.

 

David Feldman Travel Grants For Independent Scholars

In 2023, the Endowment will award 10 grants of $1,000 each. These travel grants are named after David Feldman, longtime leader and member of PCA. Feldman is an alumni of the Bowling Green State University Popular Culture Program and is the author of the beloved Imponderables book series. 

 

Applicants should not hold an academic job or otherwise have support from an educational institution.  Retired faculty are invited to apply.  Undergraduate/graduate students are not eligible.