Scholarships & Prizes

The History Department recognizes Undergraduates for their academic performance, knowledge of history, and community service through a variety of awards and scholarships.  Some awards require an essay or application to be considered, while others are based on academic performance.  Please refer to each listing for details on eligibility. View the 2020 History scholarship winners.

Questions regarding any of the awards or scholarships should be emailed to history@udel.edu.

William Purnell "Old Home" Essay Prize*

Award Amount: $400

Awarded for the best undergraduate essay submitted to the History Department on the history of Delaware or the Eastern Shore (Delmarva).  Essays should contain a cover page containing student ID# and UD email address only and sent as an attachment to adolbow@udel.edu.

Submission Deadline:  TBD

Alumni Undergraduate Essay Prize*

Award Amount: up to $750

Awarded for the best essay(s) on a non-US history topic.  Up to two (2) essays may be chosen.  Total award amount determined by number of essays selected.  Total award amount determined by number of essays selected.   Essays should contain a cover page containing student ID# and UD email address only and sent as an attachment to adolbow@udel.edu.

Submission Deadline:  TBD

Thomas J. Craven Essay Prize*

Award Amount: up to $2,000

Awarded for the best essay(s) on any topic in Delaware history, or on the "constitutional or political phases of American history in the U.S. national period" (Jefferson to Jackson).  Multiple winning essays may be chosen.  Total award amount determined by number of essays selected.   Essays should contain a cover page containing student ID# and UD email address only and sent as an attachment to adolbow@udel.edu.

Submission Deadline:  TBD

*Essay submissions should be 8-12 pages in length formatted as follows: double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-pt font, paginated in standard citation. Essays not following proper format will not be considered.

Joseph Donald Craven Essay Prize

Award Amount: $1,000

The Joseph Donald Craven Prize is awarded each year for the best essay submitted on what changes should be made in the Constitution of the United States and/or the economic system of the United States to further the interest of democracy and make the government more responsive to the will of the people.  Essays do not need to be long: 1,000 – 2,000 words are suggested.  The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize.  All Political Science, International Relations and History majors are encouraged to submit entries.  You may send your essay as an attachment in an email to Ms. Barb Ford at barbford@udel.edu. 

Submission Deadline:  Spring TBD

William E. Meakin Memorial Award

Award Amount: up to $2,500

Awarded to a junior or senior history major who meets the scholarship criteria of academic performance and a distinguished record of community service.  A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply.  Up to four (4) winners may be chosen.  Total award amount determined by number of winners selected.  Application and supporting documents should be sent as separate attachments to dmh@udel.edu.

Submission Deadline:  TBD

Alumni Undergraduate Awards in History

Award Amount: $500

Awarded to undergraduate history majors for excellence in academics.  Three (3) winners from each of the defined levels will receive this monetary award.

Senior – projected to graduate in Spring or Summer 2021

Junior – completing third year at UD but not graduating in Spring or Summer 2021

Sophomore – completing 2nd year at UD with at least one (1) FULL year on the Newark campus.

Eve Holst Clift Award

Award Amount: $1,800

Awarded to a graduating history major for outstanding academic performance.  In choosing between candidates of roughly equal qualifications, preference is given to students specializing in fields other than American History.

William H. Williams Scholarship in American History, 1607-1865

Award Amount: up to $1,750

Awarded to undergraduate history majors demonstrating outstanding scholarship in the field of American History from 1607 to 1865.  Multiple winners may be chosen.  Total award determined by number of winners selected.  Award is distributed as a scholarship unless presented to a graduating senior, in which case award will be given as a monetary prize.

Arts & Humanities Scholarships

Award Amounts: approx. $200 to $500

Recipients must meet the scholarship criteria of academic performance and financial need as determined by department faculty and the Office of Student Financial Services.  Preference given to Delaware residents.

Berwyn Fragner Memorial Scholarships

Award Amounts: approx. $200 to $700

Awarded to undergraduate history majors meeting the scholarship criteria of academic performance and financial need as determined by department faculty and the Office of Student Financial Services.