The Founders' Dissertation Fellowship recognizes graduate students who show promise of significant contributions to historical scholarship. Award funds may be used for purposes directly or indirectly related to the dissertation, such as for expenses related to research, attendance at scholarly conferences, or that incurred in the preparation of the dissertation. Applicants must have membership that is current through the award year (December 31, 2026) when they submit their application. Students may apply for the fellowship in more than one year but may win only once. Applicants should expect the Ph.D. no earlier than December of the calendar year in which the award is made. Applicants must be graduate students who have been advanced to candidacy, are writing the dissertation at the time of application, and are engaged in scholarship that is historical in nature, though the degree may be in related fields. Current WAWH board members are not eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a summary of the dissertation project including an explanation of how the dissertation project will advance the understanding of the issue(s) under study; a survey of the major primary sources; a discussion of the historiography; a summary of research already accomplished; and an indication of plans for completion of the dissertation in no more than five double-spaced pages. One confidential letter of recommendation from a dissertation committee member must also be sent directly to each member of the Founders' Dissertation Fellowship committee. Please visit the fellowship's website or contact the Western Association of Women Historians for more information.