PURPOSE, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FUND

The Center for Research on Global Catholicism (CRGC) supports scholarship on the ways and means by which Catholicism migrated across time and space to become a global religion, entangled with imperial ambitions, in excess of official intentions, mobilized by material objects, affective relationships, politics, theologies, epidemics and more.

The CRGC has partnered with local Catholic archives in St. Louis to form the St. Louis Catholic Archives Collective (SCAC). This collaboration is dedicated to increasing the visibility and accessibility of participating archival institutions, particularly those collections that illuminate the histories of women religious.

Participating institutions include:

• Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Consolidated Archives
• St. Louis Visitation Archives
• Archdiocesan Archives of St. Louis
• Saint Louis University Archives

The Visiting Research Grant funds two scholars per year to defray costs connected with conducting research at participating archives. Archival holdings consist of correspondence, administration records, diaries, ministry records, regular bulletins and publications, souvenir booklets, photographs, newspapers, scrapbooks, related publications, audio-visual materials, maps, and artifacts dating from the early eighteenth century to the present. Not only do the materials held in these archives illuminate the histories of the Saint Louis archdiocese, individual congregations, parishes, and other Catholic institutions, but they also provide glimpses into local, national, and world histories viewed through the lens of Catholic experiences.

AWARD DETAILS

Eligibility

Researchers pursuing projects that would benefit from the rich resources of the SCAC archives are invited to apply. Projects that focus on women religious are especially encouraged. We welcome applications from academics of all ranks and disciplines, independent researchers, students 18 years and older, genealogists, and others. Students are asked to include a letter of reference from a professor, instructor, archivist, or mentor familiar with their work; those students pursuing a masters or doctoral degree are exempt from this requirement.

Award Amounts

Visiting Research Grants will be issued to two applicants in amounts up to $3,000 each for research conducted during the 2024 fiscal year.

Please note: Applicants are responsible for arranging their own travel and housing for the duration of their stay.

Application Process

Prior to submitting an application for funding, prospective applicants are required to communicate with the staff of each archive where they intend to conduct their research to confirm the viability of their project.

Applications will be received through the OpenWater portal. Directions for accessing OpenWater and a preview of requested application materials appear below. Applications will be reviewed by members of the CRGC executive committee and archival partners. Decisions returned within approximately 1 month.

EXPENSES

Research costs eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• Research-related travel cost
• Housing
• Food
• Dependent care costs
• Research-related supplies and minor equipment
• Reproduction of materials on site, including xerox and printing
• Researcher stipends* (For SLU faculty, students, and employees on 9 month contracts stipends may only be paid as a reimbursable research fund.)

Ineligible Expenses:

• Conference/research dissemination-related travel
• Student worker tuition or fees
• Non-research expenses

CONDITIONS

Grant recipients will be asked to:

• Deliver a public-facing interview or presentation about their research project within one year of grant-funded research completion
• Acknowledge the grant in all publications which result from their research
• Notify the CRGC and archivists of any publication resulting in whole or in part from the grant