Shohet Scholars Program

View Previous Fellowship Recipients Previous Recipients

Objective
Estelle Shohet Brettman founded the International Catacomb Society (ICS) in 1980. Her approach was ecumenical, and her intent was to promote the preservation, restoration, and documentation of the catacombs in Rome and elsewhere that contain paintings, epigraphy, and artifacts depicting the cultures and customs of early religions under the Roman Empire. The Shohet Scholars Program, established by the ICS in 2001, is an effort to further Mrs. Brettman’s aims.

The ICS desires to support scholars of demonstrated promise and ability who are judged capable of producing significant, original research that is consistent with the above goal. Shohet Scholars may do their research in the fields of archeology, art history, classical studies, history, comparative religions, or related subjects. The work need not focus explicitly on the Roman catacombs, but it should be within the sphere of the Mediterranean world from the late Hellenistic Period to the end of the Roman Empire. Of special interest are interdisciplinary projects that approach traditional topics from new perspectives. Successful applicants will be expected to present a public lecture in Boston reporting the methods, results, and significance of their work and submit a written summary or short article suitable for publication in the Bulletin of the ICS.

Description
Initially, one Shohet Scholar will be selected each year and supported for a period of one year.  The primary intent of the grant is to support significant, innovative research that can be completed and reported within the award period.  Grants may be made to seed innovative approaches and new ideas or to cover specific expenses or phases of a larger project under the direction of the applicant.  At this time, awards in the range of $10,000 to $30,000 will be made. Eventually, it is expected that more than one Shohet Scholar may be supported concurrently.  The Shohet Scholars Program reserves the right not to make a grant in a year in which there are no applications meeting the requirements of the program.

Eligibility
Scholars of all institutional affiliations who are US citizens and possess a doctoral degree or the equivalent are eligible. Preference will be given to applicants in the early postdoctoral or launching stage of their careers (i.e., persons awarded the doctorate within six years prior to the application deadline). Independent, unaffiliated scholars without doctoral credentials may be considered if judged equivalent in experience, competence and accomplishments to outstanding early postdoctoral candidates. Employees, contractors, and members of the Board of Directors or Advisory Board of the ICS and their families are ineligible. . No applicant will be denied consideration or selection because of race, religion or ethnic origin.

Monitor and Mentor
Applicants must identify a monitor, e.g., a senior faculty member or official of the applicant’s institution who can vouch for the feasibility of the proposal, including the likelihood that needed institutional support will be available. A mentor, i.e., someone with sufficient expertise in the proposed research area to serve as role model and consultant on subject matter issues, is optional. It is the applicant’s prerogative to select a mentor or not, and to justify the decision. One person may fill the roles of both monitor and mentor.

Applications
Applications, supporting documents, and communications with the Shohet Scholars Program must be in English. They should be mailed to the Shohet Scholars Program, 50 Cross Street, Winchester, MA 01890.

Include four copies of the following (pay close attention to page limits):

• Applicant information sheet (download PDF)
• Applicant’s curriculum vitae (4 pages or less)
• Monitor’s curriculum vitae (2 pages)
• Mentor’s curriculum vitae, if applicable (2 pages)
• Complete graduate transcript
• Research proposal not exceeding 2000 words (10 pages, double spaced)
• 100-word abstract of the proposed research and its significance
• Budget proposal—see guidelines below
• Statement of permissions acquired for research and/or publication if the applicant proposes to conduct archaeological fieldwork or proposes a project involving items in museum collections, archives, or other situations requiring permission
  
  

In addition, letters of recommendation from the mentor (if applicable), the monitor, and two other persons should be mailed directly by the writers to the Shohet Scholars Program. These letters should address, in particular, characteristics and personal qualities that make it likely the applicant will carry out the research and contribute to the objectives of the program.

Applications will be evaluated by a jury of academic experts who take into account the quality and feasibility of the research project submitted, the time required to meet the objectives sought, the anticipated impact of the findings, and the excellence of the applicant’s skills as attested by diplomas obtained, letters of recommendation, and publications, papers, and presentations. Persons recommending or making selections of grantees will not be in a position to derive any direct or indirect private benefit if certain potential grantees are selected over others and will have no formal relation to applicants subject to their review. Decisions of the jury are final and, regrettably, neither oral nor written critique will be provided for unfunded applications.

Budget Guidelines
An applicant must submit and justify a detailed allocation of funds requested. He/she also must indicate the sources and amounts of all other funds allocated to him/her. If applicable, Year 1 and Year 2 funds should be budgeted separately. Funds may be used for research expenses directly related and essential to the project, such as equipment and supplies, travel and living expenses during fieldwork, and research assistance. Awardees may receive salary for periods of exclusive work on the research (e.g., summer salary) or portions of time devoted exclusively to the project. Funds may not be used to pay salary and fringe benefit obligations of institutions, tuition, institutional overhead, other institutional support, or for expenses incurred prior to the date of the award. The budget may include payment for a mentor's time and effort (not to exceed $1000. annually), and it should include an item to fund one visit to Boston to present the results of the research. Travel expenses to attend professional association meetings will not be funded. "No substantial variances may made from an awardee's approved budget without ICS's prior approval in writing. Applicants should budget to allow for fluctuations in the exchange rate, if necessary, as additional funds cannot be provided for this purpose after the award is made. Finally, awardees should be aware that the grants are subject to federal and state income taxes.

Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of applications and all related documents is October 15 preceding the award year. Award notification will be made by March 31. Funding for Year 1 will be available the following July 1, when the ICS will disburse funds directly to the Scholar.

Obligations of Shohet Scholars
Awardees of two-year grants must file a brief progress report and list of expenditures by April 10 of the first year. Successful applicants will be expected to present a public lecture in Boston reporting the methods, results, and significance of their work. Finally, two items are due three months after the end of the award period: a final report of expenditures and a written summary of the research or short article suitable for publication in the Bulletin of the ICS.