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Nominations Now Open for the Carter Manny Award: Shaping the Future of Architectural Scholarship


Calling all emerging scholars in the fields of architecture, art, culture, and society in the United States and Canada! The prestigious Carter Manny Award is back, and the Graham Foundation is inviting nominations. This award is a unique opportunity for doctoral students to gain support for their outstanding dissertations that explore the intricate relationship between architecture and the arts, culture, and society. In this blog post, we'll dive into the details of this esteemed award, its eligibility criteria, award types, and how it can propel your research to new heights.


A Vision for Architectural Scholarship


The Carter Manny Award, named after the renowned architectural historian and critic David Theodore Carter, is a testament to the Graham Foundation's commitment to advancing the field of architectural scholarship. Unlike any other predoctoral award, it is exclusively dedicated to the realm of architectural research. This award recognizes emerging scholars whose work not only promises to reshape contemporary discourse but also holds the potential to make a lasting impact on the field of architecture.


Exploring the Eligibility


To be eligible for the Carter Manny Award, there are a few key criteria:


1. PhD Candidates: Applicants must currently be candidates for a doctoral degree in the fields of architecture, art history, fine arts, humanities, social sciences, or related areas. They should be at the stage of their doctoral journey where they have completed all requirements except the dissertation and have received formal approval for their dissertation proposals.


2. Nomination Required: Each applicant must be nominated by their department to be considered for the award. Departments can nominate up to two candidates—one for the Research Award and one for the Writing Award.


3. Geographical Openness: While the award is open to students enrolled in schools in the United States and Canada, it is not restricted by citizenship. It welcomes international perspectives and research.


4. Reapplication: Students who previously applied for the Carter Manny Award and were unsuccessful can reapply. However, those who have received a Research Award or a Writing Award in the past are not eligible to apply for another Carter Manny Award in subsequent years.


Award Types


The Carter Manny Award offers two distinct categories to support students at different stages of their doctoral journey:


1. Research Award: This category assists students in the research phase of their dissertation. It can be used for travel, documentation, materials, supplies, and other research-related expenses. Successful applicants can receive up to $15,000 to facilitate their research endeavors.


2. Writing Award: Designed for advanced doctoral students in the final stages of dissertation writing, the Writing Award primarily supports uninterrupted writing. While some funds can be used for concluding research, the award is primarily intended to provide a dedicated period for writing. A Writing Award can provide up to $20,000 to help students complete their dissertations.


Criteria for Evaluation


The Graham Foundation values projects that exhibit the potential to impact the field of architecture significantly. During the evaluation process, the following criteria are taken into consideration:


1. Originality: The dissertation should present an innovative, challenging idea and showcase critical, independent thinking. It should push the boundaries of scholarship and introduce new approaches or methodologies.


2. Potential for Impact: Successful projects should make a meaningful contribution to discourse and the field of architecture. They should expand knowledge, inspire future research, and shed light on underexplored issues.


3. Feasibility: The project's methodology and goals should be sound and realistic. A reasonable timeframe for research or writing, as well as accessible sources, should be demonstrated.


4. Capacity: Applicants should possess strong qualifications and knowledge relevant to their research, demonstrating the ability to successfully complete their dissertations.


The Carter Manny Award is a beacon of hope for emerging scholars in the realm of architectural scholarship. It offers not only financial support but also the opportunity to shape the future of architectural discourse. If you meet the eligibility criteria and believe your dissertation has the potential to impact the field of architecture, don't miss this chance to nominate yourself and take your research to new heights. For more information and application details, visit the Graham Foundation website. Your groundbreaking research could be the next catalyst for change in the world of architecture.

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