Current Fellowships

The ASEH currently offers four research fellowships: the Hal Rothman Dissertation Fellowship, the J. Donald Hughes Graduate Research Fellowship, the Equity Graduate Student Fellowship, and the Samuel P. Hays Fellowship. The Rothman, Hughes, and Equity Fellowships are reserved for graduate students; the Hays Fellowship is open to practicing historians of any rank. In addition, the ASEH co-sponsors the ASEH–Newberry Library Fellowship for scholars who will work with the Newberry's extensive holdings in Chicago. Applications for fellowships will open September 1.

Hal Rothman Dissertation Fellowship

The Hal Rothman Research Fellowship was created to recognize graduate student achievements in environmental history research in honor of Hal Rothman, recipient of ASEH's Distinguished Service award in 2006 and editor of Environmental History for many years. The fellowship provides a single payment of $1,000 for PhD graduate student research and travel in the field of environmental history, without geographical restriction. The funds must be used to support research and travel during 2026.

Students enrolled in any PhD program worldwide are eligible to apply.

Applications will be accepted from September 1 through November 20, 2025, and the recipient will be selected and notified in January 2026 for funding in 2026.

To apply, please submit the following three items:

• Two-page statement (500 words) explaining your project and how you intend to use the research funds, including a proposed budget.
• A c.v. no more than two pages in length.
• A letter of recommendation from your graduate advisor (can be sent separately by your graduate advisor)

The application period begins September 1. All items for the Hal Rothman Research Fellowship must be submitted electronically by November 20, 2025.

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL MATERIALS THROUGH 
THIS FORM (Same form for Rothman and Hughes fellowships)

Submitting a recommendation letter? 
Submit here

J. Donald Hughes Graduate Research Fellowships

The J. Donald Hughes Research Fellowships were created to recognize graduate student achievements in environmental history research in honor of J. Donald Hughes, recipient of ASEH's Distinguished Service award in 2000 and editor of Environmental History from 1983 to 1985. The fellowships provide a single payment of $1,000 for graduate student research and travel in the field of environmental history, without geographical restriction. The funds must be used to support primary research and travel during 2026.

Students enrolled in any graduate program worldwide are eligible to apply.

Applications will be accepted from September 1 through November 20, 2025, and the recipient will be selected and notified in January 2026 for funding in 2026.

To apply, please submit the following three items:

• Two-page statement (500 words) explaining your project and how you intend to use the research funds, including a proposed budget.
• A c.v. no more than two pages in length.
• A letter of recommendation from your graduate advisor (can be sent separately by your graduate advisor)

The application period begins September 1. All items for the J. Donald Hughes graduate research fellowship must be submitted electronically by November 20, 2025.

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL MATERIALS THROUGH

THIS FORM (Same form for Rothman and Hughes fellowships)

Submitting a recommendation letter? 

Submit here

Equity Graduate Student Fellowship

ASEH created this fellowship to recognize graduate students from an underrepresented group for their achievements in environmental history research, to expand ASEH membership, and to broaden the topics of study in the field. The fellowship provides a single payment of $1,000 for PhD graduate student research and travel in the field of environmental history, without geographical restriction. The funds must be used to support primary research and travel during 2026.

The ASEH Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity will review the applications and select the recipient. Students enrolled in PhD programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions are strongly encouraged to apply, although the Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity will consider applications from students from any underrepresented group. Students must be members of ASEH at the time of their application to be eligible for this award.

The recipient will be selected and notified in January 2026 for funding in 2026.

To apply, please submit the following three items:

• Two-page statement (500 words) explaining your project and how you intend to use the research funds.
• A c.v. no more than two pages in length.
• A letter of recommendation from your graduate advisor (can be sent separately by your graduate advisor) 

All items for the Equity Graduate Student Fellowship must be submitted electronically through  THIS FORM   by November 20, 2025.

Submitting a recommendation letter? (same as Rothman and Hughes form)
Submit here

Samuel P. Hays Research Fellowship

ASEH created this fellowship to recognize the contributions of Samuel P. Hays, the inaugural recipient of the society's Distinguished Scholar Award, and to advance the field of environmental history, broadly conceived. The fellowship provides a single payment of $1,000 to help fund travel to and use of an archive or manuscript repository, or to collect related research material. It is open to practicing historians (either academic, public, or independent). Graduate students are ineligible. A PhD is not required.

Submissions will be accepted between September 1 and November 20, 2025, and the recipient will be selected and notified in January 2026 for funding in 2026.

To apply, please submit the following items:

• A two-page statement (500 words) explaining your project and how you intend to use the research funds.
• A c.v. no more than two pages in length.

The application period begins September 1. All items for the Samuel P. Hays Research Fellowship must be submitted electronically by November 20, 2025.

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL MATERIALS IN A SINGLE DOCUMENT THROUGH 

THIS FORM