Boise State’s Department of History and the Working History Center have started a new program, the History Extension Service.
The program offers $1,000 summer stipends for students to develop a history project through their local historical organizations including museums, historical societies and nonprofit groups.
Possibilities include, but are not limited to:
- a digital mini-exhibit for a local history museum
- the transcription of an oral history interview collection preserved by a local historical society
- a research paper about a local historical figure or event, to be used as part of a brochure for a local organization focused on tourism
- a history research paper about a current topic related to a nonprofit organization’s mission
- a collection of then-and-now photographs about your hometown, to be displayed at the local city hall or on its website
To apply for funding here’s what interested students need to do:
Right Now
Identify and communicate with a local organization and come up with an idea for a history project. Looking for partner organizations? Check out the Idaho Association of Museums or the Idaho State Historical Society’s list of certified local governments. Students don’t have to partner with a history museum or organization, but their project must be historically-oriented.
Before May 20
Email two brief (one to two paragraphs each) letters to to Bob Reinhardt, an assistant professor in the Department of History, at bobreinhardt@boisestate.edu that includes:
- A letter from the student describing their project (including estimate of number of hours it will take), describing the partner organization, and explaining how this project and work fits into and contributes to the student’s education.
- A letter from the partner organization, stating the organization’s support for (and, as much as possible, ability to train) the student and their project. This letter should also note whether the organization will match the Extension Service stipend or provide an additional stipend; this will strengthen the application.
The Working History Center expects to support up to five $1,000 stipends. Successful applicants will be notified by May 22.
Contact Reinhardt with questions or for more information.