Travel Grant
Purpose
The William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections at McMaster University Library is pleased to provide a small travel grant for visiting scholars. Grants are intended to support the work of scholars whose research requires the on-site use of rare and unique materials held by the William Ready Division. Applications that combine use of the Ready Division’s collections with other specialized McMaster holdings, such as the Lloyd Reeds Map Collection, are welcome.
One or more grants of $1,500CAD, or its equivalent at the exchange rate of the day, will be awarded annually to individual scholars conducting research in areas represented in the collections of the Ready Division. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the information on the Division’s website for information about the collection, and inquiries about specific holdings are welcome by e-mail to archives@mcmaster.ca.
Eligibility
- Graduate students, faculty, post-docs, and independent researchers whose research requires on-site use of the Ready Division’s collections are eligible to apply.
- Recipients are expected to spend a minimum of ten business days conducting research in the Ready Division. Longer visits are welcome, but additional funds are not available for extended visits.
- Applications from scholars within reasonable commuting distance of McMaster University and those whose research can be completed using widely available library resources, interlibrary loan, or online resources will not normally be considered for funding.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit their applications using the online form available on the Division’s website. If an applicant is unable to complete the online form, please contact the Division to discuss alternatives.
For consideration, applications must include:
- Contact information
- A current resume or CV, or equivalent description of the applicant’s academic background and preparation to conduct the proposed research
- Proposed dates for the applicant’s visit
- A description of the applicant’s proposed research, including specific Ready Division materials to be used, and other University Library collection materials that will be incorporated, if applicable
- The name and contact information of a reference who will submit under separate cover a letter commenting on the applicant’s proposed research
Application deadline: January 31
Additional information
- No applicant will receive funding from both the William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections Research Travel Grant and the William G. Bensen and Family Travel Grant in the same year.
- Applications will be reviewed by the Associate University Librarian, Collections and members of the Ready Division staff. Applications proposing use of other McMaster collections will additionally be reviewed by appropriate staff in those areas. The Associate University Librarian may also invite a McMaster faculty member to participate in the review of applications.
- Grant recipients may be required to submit a brief article on their research or to participate in the writing of a story for the University Library and McMaster University news feeds, and/or to give a presentation about their research during their visit.
- Recipients are expected to acknowledge the grant in published work resulting from their supported research visit.
- The awarding of more than one grant in a given year is contingent upon available funds and does not guarantee the awarding of multiple grants in any subsequent year.
Letter of reference should be sent to:
Wade Wyckoff
Associate University Librarian, Distinctive, Legacy, and Digital Heritage Collections
McMaster University Library
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6
e-mail: wyckoff at mcmaster.ca
Visiting McMaster University Library
Details on travel to McMaster, including a campus map, driving directions, transit options, and directions from the closest airports, please refer to the appropriate sections of our FAQ for information.