The Institute for Political History established the Thomas H. Critchlow Travel Award in 2008 to support graduate research in pre-twentieth century American political/policy history and American Political Development. The award is named in honor of Thomas Critchlow, a major benefactor of the Institute. The award is offered every other year and announced at the Policy History Conference.

Thomas Critchlow was born July 20, 1913 in Prospect, a small town in western Pennsylvania, which the Critchlows had helped settle in the 1790s. At the age of 12, Tom moved to Southern California. He attended public school in Ontario, California, where he was elected student body president of his high school and community college. He completed his junior year at the University of California, Berkeley, but had to return home to save his family's orange grove from foreclosure in the 1930s. While working, he completed his university degree at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1940. After officer's training school at the Coast Guard Academy, he served in the Pacific theater during the Second World War.

After the war, he entered the stock brokerage business, where he worked for a number of firms. He retired in 1988 and currently lives in La Jolla, California.

The Institute is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the Thomas H. Critchlow Grant. Applications must include the following materials:

1. Application cover page

Download the template in Microsoft Word here. This should be the first page of your mailed proposal.

2. One (1) page double-spaced description of research proposal that also explains the historiographical significance of the project

3. One (1) page budget of monies to be used and specific research collections to be consulted during the award period

4. One (1) page vitae

5. One (1) page letter of recommendation. This letter must be in a signed, sealed envelope and be included with the application packet.

Applications must adhere to the guidelines above or they will not be considered.
E-mailed and late applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to doctoral students and untenured faculty. Applications must be received by November 2, 2009 and the award in the amount of up to $1000 will be announced at the Policy History Conference to be held at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio on June 3-6, 2010. The award is taxable. Please send materials to Thomas H. Critchlow Award, C/O Journal of Policy History, 3800 Lindell Blvd., Saint Louis University, P.O. Box 56907, St. Louis, MO 63156-0907.

For additional information concerning the Institute for Political History or the Thomas H. Critchlow Award, please visit http://www.politicalhistory.org or e-mail the grant coordinator at grahamaward (at) gmail (dot) com.