Hellman Fellows Grants for Assistant Professors
The Hellman Family Foundation (Mr. & Mrs. F. Warren Hellman P'82, '84) has provided the College with a generous annual gift to support research grants for assistant professors.
Purpose. These grants can be used flexibly to support any significant research endeavor, either in Williamstown or while traveling. The grants can be used for purposes such as equipment, external grant matching, student research assistants, transportation, lodging, residency fees, and publication costs. The only major restriction is that these grants may not be used to supplant any portion of a recipient's salary. The amounts awarded are not pre-determined but will range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on the scope of the proposal and the promise of significant results. Awards will be made without regard for the apparent timeliness or popularity of the field of study proposed.
Eligibility. Hellman Fellow Grants are to be applied for and awarded to assistant professors:
- who show promise for great distinction in their research,
- who have served at the college for at least two years, and preferably
- who have applied and been denied funding from external sources, and/or
- whose research is not supported substantially by other sources.
Application Procedure. This competition runs each year with an initial application deadline of November 7, and with subsequent requests for proposals to follow until the annual budget is exhausted. Awards are made available the following summer on July 1. Applications should be submitted to the Dean of the Faculty and should include the following elements:
- Project Title and Abstract. One or two brief sentences on the research objective.
- Project Description and Timetable. Describe the basic ideas, problems, works, or questions to be addressed. Give an overview of the planned approach, methodology, and schedule for the project.
- Context Statement. Review the relationship of the proposed work to the applicant's overall program of scholarship, placing it in context of previous research. Clarify how this project will contribute substantially to the conduct of the recipient's research, advancing it beyond the scope possible without the support of a Hellman research grant.
- Budget. Provide a detailed budget request for anticipated research fees and expenses. Please also list any applications you have made to have the proposed work funded by an external granting agency, and the results of those applications. We need to know whether your Hellman grant application is a request for a backup or supplement to another grant or fellowship (see third and fourth items in the eligibility criteria, above).
- Curriculum Vitae: Attach a current CV.
- Statement of Department Support. Include a one-paragraph statement from the department or program chair on the feasibility of the project.
There is no set length for the application. It should be thorough but concise, and accessible to non-experts in the field. Supporting materials (e.g., bibliography) are welcome but not required.
Selection Process. In determining the recipients of Hellman Fellows Grants and the size of the awards, the Dean of the Faculty will review applications with the Committee on Appointments and Promotions. Previous recipients of Hellman Fellows Grants will be included in the selection process, as appropriate.
Post-Award Requirement. All recipients of Hellman Fellows Grants will be required to write a brief report summarizing the work accomplished. These summaries should be of sufficient quality for inclusion in an annual report to be sent to Mr. and Mrs. F. Warren Hellman. In addition, award recipients should be willing to meet at least once during the award year with Mr. and Mrs. Hellman, either in person or by teleconference, or to communicate via written correspondence.
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