In 2021, the Agricultural History Society (AHS) established a grant program for members to advance the society’s mission “to encourage and promote scholarship in the history of agriculture and rural life.” This investment in the membership and the field of agricultural and rural history is the fruit of the Centennial Campaign, known as Seed Money, that marked the 100th anniversary of the AHS.
Because of AHS’s commitment to supporting scholars as they create the future of the discipline, the society annually awards eight grants of $1,500 USD each. The awards are made in the following career categories:
Graduate Student (enrolled in masters or PhD program at time of application)
Early Career (such as Post-doc and Assistant Professor)
Independent Scholars and Contingent Faculty
Senior Career (such as Associate Professor, Full Professor, and Emeritus)
Public History (examples, but not limited to: librarians; public historians; and an individual or team presenting a proposal for the development of an online or physical exhibit, digitizing collections relevant to agricultural and rural history, or other public-facing activity consistent with the promotion of “scholarship in the history of agriculture and rural life.”)
Applications will be adjudicated by a committee consisting of the Executive Committee (excluding officers) and any members they may see fit to include. Applications are due September 15 and award announcements will be made by December 15 of the same year.
ELIGIBILITY AND RESTRICTIONS:
Applicants, except those applying in the Public History category, must be members of the AHS at the time of application (membership may be purchased when applying).
The applicant must identify which category they are applying for and must be eligible in that category at the time of application.
Applicants may apply in only one career category per year.
The funds should be used within one year of the award.
Award recipients will submit a one page report summarizing the activities undertaken with the funds within a year of receiving the grant.
Agricultural History has the first right of refusal for all article-length manuscripts that result from the awards.
Any outputs resulting from the activities funded by the grant must acknowledge the support of AHS.
The committee intends to award at least one grant in each category, but may choose to not make an award in one or more categories in a given year if there are not suitable applicants.
Award recipients are eligible to reapply five years from the December award date.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
A two-page CV or, in the case of team applications, a two-page CV for each team member.
A three- to four-page narrative (maximum 1250 words) that identifies the application category, the rationale for the project, the project activities to be undertaken, proposed contribution in relation to published work, source material to be used, and planned outputs from the project.
A one-page budget that demonstrates how funds will be used. Budget categories such as travel, accommodation, equipment, materials, fees, etc. should be used to break down the costs. The budget should also specify other funding which will complement this grant.
Applications should be formatted with one-inch margins, 12 point Times New Roman, and double-spaced.
Applicants will submit all materials saved in one PDF document and labeled in this manner: YourNameAHSgrant2026.
Applications should be emailed to aghistorysociety@gmail.com.
ASSESSMENT
Applications will be assessed in three categories; applicant cv(s), project narrative, and budget.
Applicant CV: Assess the applicant’s or team’s ability to carry out the project. Is there relevant expertise or training? 10 points possible
Project Narrative: Assess the project’s originality and the potential contribution to the field. Does the applicant demonstrate appropriate organization and writing skills? Is the dissemination plan viable? 30 points possible
Budget: Is the budget appropriate for the project? What other sources of funding are sought or in-hand? 10 points possible
Questions about the AHS Grants should be addressed to aghistorysociety@gmail.com