Friends Historical Association

The Friends Historical Association (FHA) administers a program for funding projects that help shift the discipline of Quaker history to more richly represent the diversity and diverse practices of Quakerism. This opportunity is intended for projects that are conceived by and benefit many people. (Individual research grants and subvention support are also available as separate opportunities from FHA).

Anticipated $5,000 in project grants will be awarded each year, with individual awards ranging from $500 up to a maximum of $5,000.

The FHA Board will prioritize:
1. Projects that document or promote the stories of Quakers from historically marginalized groups (i.e. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, etc.)
2. Projects that document or promote the history of Quaker communities beyond traditional centers (Philadelphia, London, and other concentrations in the U.S. and U.K.), and especially Quaker communities in the global South

Past funded projects and example applications:
1. Marian Baker / African Quaker Archives, “Internship of Linet Mmbone, AQA librarian at Swarthmore” (2023-2024)
2. Oscar Lugusa Malande, “Quakerism in Africa" (2023-2024)

The deadline for application is May 31, 2025.

Timeline and reporting requirements. Applications will be reviewed by the FHA Finance Committee and decisions will be announced in August 2025. Funds will be distributed in August and September 2025, and the project should conclude before September 30, 2026. Funds unspent before September 30, 2026 must be returned to FHA. Reasonable requests for extensions will be considered. By September 1, 2026, recipients must provide a written report including 3-5 photographs. This report should explain how the grant progressed the project’s mission, as well as include a budget report, and should be no more than 2 pages in length (combined). Excerpts from the report and the provided photographs may be used by FHA on our website, social media, e-newsletter, or other outlets or publications.

For ease of review, please complete the application blank, save it as ONE SINGLE PDF, and send to grants@quakerhistory.org using the subject line “Project Grant Application - [Organization name]” All application materials must be in English.

Legal notices: Grant recipients are responsible for tax reporting as applicable. Per USA PATRIOT Act specifications, individuals or entities who are classified as a terrorist organization or are on a sanctioned list are ineligible for FHA grants.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION BLANK HERE

The Friends Historical Association administers a program for scholars publishing books on the history of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Publications should encourage–and promote among its members and the broader public–historical reading, research, and writing in this field. FHA will also consider digital publications as long as they are sponsored by an academic institution or library/archives.

Anticipated $2,500 in subventions will be awarded each year, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 up to a maximum of $2,500.

While the program is intended to support any project related to Quaker history, priority will be given to first-time book authors who have already secured provisional contracts from established academic presses.

The deadline for application is May 31, 2025.

Timeline and reporting requirements. Applications will be reviewed by the FHA Finance Committee and decisions will be announced in August 2025. Subventions will be paid directly to the press or sponsoring institution, and made available as early as August 2025. If funds will not be disbursed before September 30, 2025, the award is considered void. (Extension requests and repeat applications will both be entertained).

Eligibility Criteria
1. The manuscript/digital publication makes a substantial contribution to the field of Quaker history.
2a. The applicant for book publication must have a completed manuscript with a provisional contract from an established academic or trade press stipulating the need for an outside subvention in order to ensure publication.
2b. The author of a digital project must have a letter from the sponsor on official letterhead stipulating the need for an outside subvention in order to ensure publication.
3. The press or sponsor must agree to acknowledge an FHA subvention in the front matter of the published book.
4. The press must agree to provide a written report within two months of publication of the book or digital publication. This report should contain a narrative account of what was accomplished with the subvention funds along with a line-by-line financial report.

Application Components
1. A summary of the manuscript/project in no more than 1,000 words.
2. A full Table of Contents or, in the case of digital projects, completed outline.
3. If a book publication, One representative chapter of the manuscript, complete with citations. If a digital publication, no less than three images with text and citations.
4. The applicant’s resume or curriculum vitae.
5. Provisional contract from an established academic or trade press or academic sponsor stipulating the need for an outside subvention in order to ensure publication.
6. A conflict of interest disclosure, if applicable.
7. In your application materials, please note where you heard about this funding opportunity.

For ease of review, please complete the application blank, save it as ONE SINGLE PDF, and send to grants@quakerhistory.org using the subject line “Subvention Grant Application - [Organization name]” All application materials must be in English.

Legal notices: Grant recipients are responsible for tax reporting as applicable. Per USA PATRIOT Act specifications, individuals or entities who are classified as a terrorist organization or are on a sanctioned list are ineligible for FHA grants.

The Friends Historical Association administers a program for scholars researching the history of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Approximately $2,500 in funding will be awarded each year, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 up to a maximum of $2,500.

While the program is intended to support any project related to Quaker history, priority will be given to applicants whose identity and background, and/or their research areas, address absences or scarcities in the current landscape of Quaker scholarship particularly with regard to race or ethnicity, gender expression and sexual preference, disability, geographic location outside the historic centers of Quakerism (Philadelphia, London), or other historically marginalized group.

Past funded projects and example applications:
1. Dominique Miething, “Martha Steinitz (1889 – 1966), pacifist and educator. A political biography” (2023-2024)

The deadline for application is May 31, 2025.

Timeline and reporting requirements.

Applications will be reviewed by the FHA Finance Committee and decisions will be announced in August, 2025. Funds will be distributed in August and September 2025 and the research project should conclude before September 30, 2026. Funds unspent before September 30, 2026 must be returned to FHA. Reasonable requests for extensions will be considered. By September 1, 2026, recipients must provide a brief paragraph report summarizing their completed research, along with a line-by-line financial report, and at least one photograph. Excerpts from the report and the provided photograph may be used by FHA on our website, social media, e-newsletter, or other outlets or publications.

Application Components

1. A summary of the project in no more than 500 words.
2. A short statement of why funding is needed in no more than 250 words. If funds are requested to visit an archive that independently offers a research fellowship (such as the Moore fund at Swarthmore or the Gest fund at Haverford), the applicant should acknowledge the existence of these opportunities and describe why funds are requested from FHA instead or in addition.
3. A budget demonstrating how FHA funds would be used.
4. A short writing sample (an article or book chapter).
5. The applicant’s resume or curriculum vitae.
6. A conflict of interest disclosure, if applicable.
7. In your application materials, please note where you heard about this funding opportunity.

For ease of review, please complete the application blank, save it as ONE SINGLE PDF, and send to grants@quakerhistory.org using the subject line “Research Grant Application - [Organization name]” All application materials must be in English.

Legal notices: Grant recipients are responsible for tax reporting as applicable. Per USA PATRIOT Act specifications, individuals or entities who are classified as a terrorist organization or are on a sanctioned list are ineligible for FHA grants.

2023 Awards

• Oscar Lugusa Malande, “Quakerism in Africa" (project grant)

• Marian Baker / African Quaker Archives, “Internship of Linet Mmbone, AQA librarian at Swarthmore” (project grant)

• Dominique Miething, “Martha Steinitz (1889 – 1966), pacifist and educator. A political biography” (research grant)

For all applications:

1. Application is complete (5 points)
2. Application relates both to Quakerism and to history (15 points)
3. Feasibility of workplan (5 points)
4. Narrative is compelling (5 points)
5. Projected expenditures of FHA funds fit within realistic overall budget (5 points)

For project grants:

6.A. Projects that document or promote the history of Quaker communities beyond traditional centers (Philadelphia, London, and other concentrations in the U.S. and U.K.), and especially Quaker communities in the global South (2 points)
6.B. Projects that document or promote the stories of Quakers from historically marginalized groups (i.e. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, etc.) (3 points)

For subventions:

6.C. First-time book authors (3 points)
6.D. Contract/official approval is secured (2 points)

For research grants:

6.E. Applicants whose identity and background, and/or their research areas, address absences or scarcities in the current landscape of Quaker scholarship particularly with regard to race or ethnicity, gender expression and sexual preference, disability, geographic location outside the historic centers of Quakerism (Philadelphia, London), or other historically marginalized group (5 points)