Fellowships for Higher Education of Present & Prospective Teachers

UMass Amherst has once again been invited to submit applications to the Marion & Jasper Whiting Foundation for travel grants of approximately $5,000 - $7,000. Please note that this is not a limited submission opportunity, however proposals must be submitted through the Office of Pre-Award Services (OPAS), which will need at least five business days for review and processing. Please reach out to your department or college grants office, or OPAS for budget development and routing support. The Marion & Jasper Whiting Foundation awards fellowships to present and prospective teachers, with an emphasis on present teachers at the college or university level, to enable them to study abroad or at some location(s) other than that which they are most closely associated. The aim is to stimulate and broaden the minds of teachers to improve and enhance the quality of their instruction. 

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be employed as a teacher at a New England-based college or university.
  • Grants are primarily for travel and related expenses and not as salary substitutes, scholarships, or grants in aid.

Award Background:

  • Amount: In 2019, the average fellowship was $5,252
  • Number of Awards: approximately 40
  • Total Number of Applicants: approximately 100
  • Application Tips:
    • The foundation seeks to improve teaching, not enhance the academic careers of scholars. Hence, travel to help write sections of a book will not be competitive unless framed around how curriculum will be improved. Reference and cover letters should also reflect the teaching purpose for the travel.
    • A previous grantee believed that "it helped having an established working relationship with a host university and that priority seems to be given to international travel and/or international topics."
    • It is helpful to describe the "what and whys" of the research and how it will help the fellow's teaching when they return.
    • Proposals with photos/graphics seem to do well.

Application Process:

Candidates should route the following application materials to OPAS for submission to the foundation.

  • Project Description of no more than 3 pages.
  • Curriculum Vitae showing the applicant to be a university teacher or a graduate of a college or university progressing toward a teaching career on the college or university level. 
  • Detailed Budget indicating the estimated travel expenses to be incurred in carrying out the project. Equipment and materials are not permissible expenses. 
  • Two letters of recommendation from fellow faculty members, professors, or similar persons, one of which must be from the dean of faculty or the chairperson of the candidate's department, who can speak to both the candidate and the project. Supporting letters must be on official letterhead.

Additional Information:

Grantees' college/university will be responsible for supervising the project. No grant administration fees are permitted. Payment will be made to the school, which will then disburse funds to the recipient only for purposes related to the project and only as set forth in his or her budget.  Grant funds will be disbursed no later than October 31, 2020. Projects must be completed no later than May 31, 2021No exceptions or extensions will be made to this schedule. Finally, the recipient must agree to make a brief report to the trustees within 12 months of the completion of the project.  Award winners will be notified by e-mail by April 3, 2020. Non-winners will be notified by e-mail shortly thereafter. If you have questions about this fellowship program or your eligibility, or would like support with your application, please contact Marco Monoc or Liz Smith in Foundation Relations. You can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.