Category Archives: Grants and Prizes

EWS Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2024)

Dear Colleagues and Edith Wharton Friends:

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2024: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize. Below please find all calls for submissions. All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2024 to current EWS President, Myrto Drizou, Nord University, Norway (myrto.drizou@nord.no).

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar  

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years. All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press. The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 9th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes.  
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@nord.no by June 30, 2024. 

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research   

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.  

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research. Notification of the award will take place by August 15, 2024. The award can be used between August 15, 2024 and August 14, 2025. A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2025 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion.  
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@nord.no by June 30, 2024.  

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize  

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels. Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre. The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100.  

How to apply:  

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft Word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, email address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@nord.no by June 30, 2024.  

…  

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars. We are committed to raising the amount for all awards as well as establishing a new one for mid-career scholarship in 2025. We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity. If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here. 

Donate

With sincere thanks and warm wishes,

Myrto

—

Myrto Drizou

EWS President

Associate Professor of English

Nord University, Norway

EWS Awards Recipients

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer. I would like to thank all those who submitted their work to the competition for the Edith Wharton Society’s Awards. We had an extremely strong set of submissions this year and we are delighted to announce the winners below:

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar 

Ilene Kalish, Independent Scholar/ New York University Press

“The Final Termination: A New Chronology of Edith Wharton’s Engagement to Harry Stevens”

The Award for Archival Research  

Laetitia Nebot-Deneuville, Dublin City University

“Early-Twentieth-Century Anglo-American literary tourism in Northern Italy and Wharton’s

Glimpses of the Moon”

The Undergraduate Research Prize 

Allegra Walker, Columbia University 

“Groping for God: Elusive Spirituality in House of Mirth and Summer.” 

Many congratulations to the winners and sincere thanks to the selection committees for their careful, precise, and thoughtful work. For the Elsa Nettels Prize, I would like to thank: Margaret Jay Jessee, Anna Girling, and Mary Carney; for the Award for Archival Research: Stacy Holden, Rita Bode, and Sheila Liming; and for the Undergraduate Research Prize: Jennifer Haytock, Arielle Zibrak, and Donna Campbell. 

With thanks to all of you who submitted your work and to all our Society’s members for their support to Edith Wharton scholarship!

Very best wishes,

Myrto

—

Myrto Drizou

President, Edith Wharton Society

Associate Professor, Nord University, Norway

Reminder: EWS Prizes (due June 30, 2023)

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2023: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize. Below please find all calls for submissions. All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2023 to current EWS President, Myrto Drizou, Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr.

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar  

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years. All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press. The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 9th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes.  
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023. 

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research   

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.  

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research. Notification of the award will take place by August 15, 2023. The award can be used between August 15, 2023 and August 14, 2024. A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2024 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion.  
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023.  

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize  

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels. Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre. The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100.  

How to apply:  

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft Word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, email address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023.  

…  

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars. We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity. If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here. 

Donate

EWS Prizes (Deadline: June 30, 2023)

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2023: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize. Below please find all calls for submissions. All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2023 to current EWS President, Myrto Drizou, Bogaziçi University, Istanbul, myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr.

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar  

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years. All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press. The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 9th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes.  
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023. 

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research   

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.  

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research. Notification of the award will take place by August 15, 2023. The award can be used between August 15, 2023 and August 14, 2024. A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2024 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion.  
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023.  

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize  

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels. Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre. The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100.  

How to apply:  

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft Word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, email address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.”  
  • Submissions are due to myrto.drizou@boun.edu.tr by June 30, 2023.  

…  

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars. We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity. If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here. 

Donate

EWS Award Recipients Announced

Dear Edith Wharton Society members, 

Here are the results of this year’s committee deliberations for the Edith Wharton Society’s awards: 

The Award for Archival Research  

Anna Girling, University of Edinburgh   

“Edith Wharton and the Cold War” 

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar 

No award given. 

The Undergraduate Research Prize 

No award given. 

I wish to extend many thanks to the Award committees for their careful and thoughtful work: for the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar: Myrto Drizou, Melanie Dawson, and Laura Rattray; for the Award for Archival Research: Jay Jessee, Virginia Ricard, and Meg Toth; and for the Undergraduate Research Prize: Rita Bode and Donna Campbell. 

Although no award was given in two categories, I’m pleased that we saw such interest in Wharton studies, and the burgeoning work offers much promise.  

Many congratulations to Anna Girling on her award! 

All best, 

Jennifer 

EWS Research Awards (Deadline 30 June 2022)

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2022: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize.  Below please find all calls for submissions.  All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2022 to current EWS President, Jennifer Haytock, SUNY Brockport, jhaytock@brockport.edu.  

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar  

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years.  All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press.  The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 8th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes.  
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.”  
  • Submissions are due to jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2022. 

     

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research   

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.  

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research.  Notification of the award will take place by August 15, 2022.  The award can be used between August 15, 2022 and August 14, 2023.  A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2023 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review.  

How to apply:  

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion.  
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address.  
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.”  
  • Submissions are due to  jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2022.  

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize  

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels.  Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre.  The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100.  

Reminder: EWS Prizes (Deadline June 30, 2021)

Dear all,

As semesters wrap up (I hope), I write to remind everyone about the three EWS prizes for 2021: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize.  Below please find all calls for submissions.  All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2021 to current EWS President, Jennifer Haytock, SUNY Brockport, jhaytock@brockport.edu. 

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar 

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years.  All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press.  The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250. 

How to apply: 

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 8th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes. 
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.” 
  • Submissions are due to jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research  

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas. 

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research.  Notification of the award will take place by July 30, 2021.  The award can be used between August 1, 2021 and July 30, 2022.  A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2022 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review. 

How to apply: 

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion. 
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.” 
  • Submissions are due to  jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize 

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels.  Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre.  The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100. 

How to apply: 

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft Word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, email address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.” 
  • Submissions are due to  jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

… 

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars.  We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity.  If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here. 

Donate

EWS Awards (Deadline: June 30, 2021)

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2021: the Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar, the Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research, and the Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize.  Below please find all calls for submissions.  All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2021 to current EWS President, Jennifer Haytock, SUNY Brockport, jhaytock@brockport.edu. 

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar 

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years.  All entries will be considered for publication in The Edith Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press.  The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250. 

How to apply: 

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 8th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes. 
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.” 
  • Submissions are due to jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research  

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas. 

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research.  Notification of the award will take place by July 30, 2021.  The award can be used between August 1, 2021 and July 30, 2022.  A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2022 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review. 

How to apply: 

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion. 
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.” 
  • Submissions are due to  jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize 

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels.  Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre.  The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100. 

How to apply: 

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft Word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, email address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award. 
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.” 
  • Submissions are due to  jhaytock@brockport.edu by June 30, 2021. 

… 

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars.  We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity.  If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here. 

Donate

UPDATE on the 2020 Edith Wharton Society Awards

Because of our current pandemic’s effect on travel, we have decided to suspend the Edith Wharton Society Archival Research Award for the present time.  If you are interested in applying for this award, please hold your application materials until next summer.  The Elsa Nettels Award for a Beginning Scholar and Undergraduate Research Prize will be open, however, and the new deadline will be July 15.  We hope you will consider applying or that you will encourage your students and colleagues to do so.

2020 EWS Prizes (Deadline: June 30, 2020)

The Edith Wharton Society is delighted to announce three prizes for 2020.  Below please find all calls for submissions.  All submission materials should be sent via email by June 30, 2020 to current EWS President, Melanie Dawson, College of William and Mary, at mvdaws@wm.edu.

The Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar

This award, formerly known as the “Edith Wharton Society Prize for a Beginning Scholar,” established in 2005, recognizes the best unpublished essay on Edith Wharton’s work by a beginning scholar, advanced graduate student, independent scholar, or faculty member who has held a full-time appointment for four or fewer years.  All entries will be considered for publication in The Edition Wharton Review, published by Penn State University Press.  The author of the prize-winning essay will receive an award of $250.

How to apply:

  • Submissions should be 20-30 double-spaced pages long and follow the 8th edition MLA style, using endnotes rather than footnotes.
  • Submissions should include two attached files: an anonymized MS Word version of your paper and a separate cover letter containing the applicant’s name, essay title, academic status, e-mail address, postal address, and the award name.
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Elsa Nettels Prize for a Beginning Scholar.”
  • Submissions are due to mvdaws@wm.edu by June 30, 2020.

The Edith Wharton Society Award for Archival Research 

The archival award, in the amount of $500, enables a scholar to conduct research at one of the Edith Wharton archives at Wharton’s library at The Mount in Lenox, MA, the Wharton Collection at Yale University’s Beinecke Library, or the Wharton papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.

Funds must be used for transportation, lodging, and other expenses related to archival research.  Notification of the award will take place by July 30, 2020.  The award can be used between August 1, 2020 and July 30, 2021.  A brief report detailing some aspect(s) of the research (not intended to preempt publication in other scholarly venues) will be due to the EWS president by September 1, 2021 and will be published in the Edith Wharton Review.

How to apply:

  • Submissions should include a proposal (of no more than two single-spaced pages) that describes the applicant’s overarching research project, its contribution to Wharton scholarship, the applicant’s scholarly preparation, and the relevance of the archive to the project’s completion.
  • Also include two additional attachments: a CV and a separate cover letter containing your current affiliation, rank, and mailing address.
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Award for Archival Research.”
  • Submissions are due to mvdaws@wm.edu by June 30, 2020.

The Edith Wharton Society Undergraduate Research Prize

First offered in 2014, the undergraduate research prize is open to students at all undergraduate levels.  Papers should be no more than fifteen pages long and can address Wharton’s works in any genre.  The winning essay will be published on the EWS website, and the author will receive an award of $100.

How to apply:

  • Please send an anonymized electronic submission as an email attachment in Microsoft word, along with a separate attached cover letter containing your name, essay title, undergraduate institution, the name of your faculty mentor, e-mail address (and perhaps an alternate email, if your email address is about to change), postal address, and the name of the award.
  • Please use the subject line: “EWS Undergraduate Research Prize.”
  • Submissions are due to mvdaws@wm.edu by June 30, 2020.

…

The Edith Wharton Society sees its commitment to Wharton’s writing as including  financial support for Wharton scholarship, with two awards specifically for beginning scholars.  We thank all in the Wharton society who have donated to these prizes over the years, many of whom have been award recipients; your support of this endeavor enables our generosity.  If you are inclined to donate to support this year’s awards, a donation portal is linked here.

https://edithwhartonsociety.wordpress.com/donate/