The Briscoe Center for American History’s Research Travel Awards assist masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral students with costs associated with travel to Austin, Texas. Up to seven awards of approximately $1,000 each are available each year to assist students who need to conduct in-depth research in the holdings of the Briscoe Center and who reside outside of the Austin metropolitan area.
The Briscoe Center Travel Award Review Committee will assign successful applicants to one of the named awards described below:
The William and Madeline Welder Smith Travel Award
Established with a gift from the William and Madeline Welder Smith Foundation by Smith Foundation’s trustee, Mac McGee, who made the decision to place the gift with the Briscoe Center because of his previous experience working in the University archives in order to pay for college during the Great Depression.
The Julian W. Garrett Travel Award
Established in honor of Julian W. Garrett, who attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he played football under legendary coach, Dana X. Bible. During his football career at UT, he became one of the “immortal thirteen” in 1940 and was on the cover of Life Magazine with his teammates in 1941.
Application Requirements
Each applicant must complete an online application form and upload their curriculum vitae and a 250–500 word summary of their research project. The summary should provide a research plan that includes details on Briscoe Center collections the applicant expects to use. In addition, the applicant must have two individuals, suitably qualified to remark on their proposed research and academic performance, write and upload letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters must be written on letterhead, scanned and saved as a .pdf file and include the applicant’s last name in the filename. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2025. The Briscoe Center will announce the awards by email on or before July 1, 2025. Travel awards are to be used between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.
International award applicants: Applicant is responsible for determining the type of visa needed for travel to the U. S. to work with the Briscoe Center’s collections. The purpose and length of stay of your travel are factors when applying for a visa. Consult the U. S. Consulate in your country or the University of Texas International Student and Scholar Services office for more information. Be aware that the University of Texas deducts U. S. federal income taxes from the award, reducing the amount that international awardees will receive. Additionally, a Social Security Number is required to be paid in the United States.
For more information email cah.reference@austin.utexas.edu.
