About the Research Travel Grant

The Eisenhower Foundation's Abilene Research Travel Grants Program assists scholars' research of primary sources in the Eisenhower Presidential Library in such fields as history, government, economics, communications, and international affairs. The grants program is funded and administered by the Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene, Kansas.

Grants are awarded to individual researchers on a competitive basis to cover a portion of expenses while in Abilene, Kansas, using the Eisenhower Presidential Library's extensive resources. The size of the grant (not to exceed $1,000) is dependent upon the distance traveled and duration of stay in Abilene. Grants are not retroactive and travel must occur within one year of award.

Important notice:

Deadline for the grant application is Jan. 15, 2025 and grants will be awarded Feb. 15, 2025. Please note: the application deadline has changed to allow for summer research travel.

Grant Application

Applications are accepted once per year and must be postmarked or sent via email no later than the deadline. See the submission section below for our physical address, or submit your application electronically to info@eisenhowerfoundation.net. 

Required Materials

1. Completed travel grant application.

2. A letter from the Eisenhower Presidential Library providing information on the availability of relevant materials in the Library's archives. For this you should send a query to the Library outlining your proposed research and an archivist will respond with a letter identifying collections pertinent to your research topic. Please address your inquires to:
   Eisenhower Presidential Library
   P.O. Box 339
   200 SE 4th Street
   Abilene, KS 67410
   Email

3. A curriculum vitae including academic experience and list of any publications.

4. A detailed summary (not to exceed five pages) of the subject and scope of your research. Funding priority will be given to well-developed proposals that will rely significantly on the resources in the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

5. A 10-15 page writing sample.

6. Two or three supporting letters from academic advisors or professional colleagues.

    

Submit an Application

Once required materials are ready, applicants should provide materials to:
Abilene Travel Grants Program
Eisenhower Foundation
P.O. Box 295
200 SE 4th Street
Abilene, KS 67410
Email

Applicants should direct questions to the Foundation by email to info@eisenhowerfoundation.net, or call 785-263-6771.

Selection Process

A selection panel reviews each application packet. All applicants will be informed in writing, usually via email, of the selection panel's decision approximately six to eight weeks after the application deadline. The grantee will be presented a check in the amount of the award upon their arrival at the Eisenhower Presidential Library to conduct research.

If the grantee's research results in a thesis, dissertation, book or article, a copy of the final product should be submitted to the Eisenhower Foundation. The publication will be placed in the holdings of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.