J. Ratcliff Prize for Graduate Studies

ArtSci graduate students in arts, humanities, or social science disciplines are eligible to apply.

Funding Award Details

• How Much: Up to $1,000 per award
• For Whom: Graduate students who are doing innovative or creative work that is distinctive for their field and that connects to the American West (broadly defined)
• What Work Counts: Grad student work could include, but is not limited to, an academic paper, thesis, short story, poetry, digital creation, workshop, or piece of art
• What You Can Spend the $$ On: Travel expenses to present your work at a professional venue

Applications will be reviewed four times per year, following the cycles below:

• Cycle 1: Applications accepted January 1-March 31; Covers travel April 1-June 30
• Cycle 2: Applications accepted April 1-June 30; Covers travel July 1-September 30
• Cycle 3: Applications accepted July 1-September 30; Covers travel October 1-December 31
• Cycle 4: Applications accepted October 1-December 31; Covers travel January 1-March 31

Note: Applications will be reviewed shortly after each cycle deadline. Given the competitiveness of awards, late applications cannot be considered. Students are eligible for one award per fiscal year (July 1-June 30).

To apply, email the following materials to Sean Johnson at sean.johnson@usu.edu

• A brief description of the work you will present: what it is, its nature, and purpose (250 words or less)
• What makes your work creative or innovative (200 words or less)
• What makes your work distinctive for your field of study (200 words or less)
• A brief description of how your work connects to the American West and/or contributes to understanding or appreciating the American West (200 words or less)
• Proof of acceptance or invitation to present their work (e.g., a conference proposal acceptance email)

More Information

• Please reach out to AD of Grad Studies Sean Johnson (sean.johnson@usu.edu) if you have any questions
• Successful awardees are required to present a version of their work to other graduate students to contribute to interdisciplinary knowledge sharing at USU and to inspire potential future applicants. Sean Johnson will work out the details of this presentation (where, when, how) with awardees.