Study Grants

Lynn E. May, Jr., Study Grants

The Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, Council of Seminary Presidents, SBC, sponsors a program whereby funds are made available periodically for partial support of research in the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. The grants provide a maximum of $750. The grants are in memory of Lynn E. May, Jr., who served as Executive Director of the Historical Commission from 1971 to 1995 and who was instrumental in the establishment of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. The following information will be of interest to those who desire to apply for financial assistance.

1. Limited funds are available for partial support to those doing extensive research in the field of Baptist history whose major sources of information are found in the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. Graduate students, college and seminary professors, historians, and other writers may apply.
2. The applicant should state clearly the research topic and chronological period to be covered in the study. In addition, the applicant should state whether the research project is for a degree program, or whether it is a project for the preparation of a monograph, or a manuscript being prepared for publication.
3. The applicant should indicate the length of research time to be spent at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives and a list of possible resources for study (names of Baptist publications, archival collections, etc.).
4. The research project should involve critical study in historical resource materials and should not be based on a study of data gathered by a survey or a questionnaire. The degree of dependence on the unique resources of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives will be of special interest in determining the qualifications.
5. The applicant should include reasons why financial assistance is needed (travel costs, photocopying, clerical assistance, etc.). Funds will be dispersed to the grantee after costs have been incurred. The grantee will file an expense report for travel and research costs and receive reimbursement for expenses up to the amount of the grant.
6. The letter of application should be addressed to Taffey Hall, Director of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, 901 Commerce Street, Suite 400, Nashville, Tennessee 37203-3630.
7. Application should be submitted before April 1 of each year.
8. Recipients of grants must agree to place in the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives a copy of their dissertation, monograph, or other document developed from the research project which the grant has helped to fund. The deadline for the document to be submitted to the Director of the Library and Archives is twenty-four months after the grant is paid, unless an extension is granted. If after three years the document has not been submitted, or an extension approved by the Director, the grant will be considered a LOAN and repayment with 8% interest per annum will be expected.
9. The Director of the Library and Archives shall review annually the status of all grants, and notify recipients (who after two years have not submitted a copy of their study) about the deadline of one year left to meet this requirement before the grant would have to be repaid as a loan. Deadline extensions can be granted by the Director when requested to allow a recipient time required to complete his/her project.

Complete our online Grant Application