Frequently Asked Questions 

I. General Questions About Submissions

1. Do I need to be a current SWS member to apply for an award? 

Yes, you must be a current member to apply for an award. You can become a member at the time of application. Some awards require a minimum of 3 years membership. Please check specific award eligibility requirements on the award webpages.

2. How do I know if my supporting materials have been submitted by my mentors? 

The SWS Executive Office will confirm receipt of letters or other supporting materials with your mentors directly. If that email confirmation has not been received and you know supporting materials have been submitted on your behalf, you can email [email protected] to inquire if SWS received supporting materials. 

3. When will I know if my application was successful? 

Applicants should expect to hear from the SWS Executive Office by email on decisions by the end of summer. If granted an award, applicants will have 14 days to confirm acceptance of the award in writing. If there is not a timely response by the requested deadline, then the SWS Executive Office will assume the award has been declined and will turn to the waiting list. 

4. Which SWS awards are specifically for students and early career scholars?

The Feminist Initiative Award, Chow Green Award, Beth Hess Award, Cheryl Allyn Miller Award and Barbara Rosenblum awards are specifically for students and early career scholars. 

5. Are there any SWS awards in which students are not eligible?

Students are not eligible to apply for the Mentoring Award and Trailblazer Award. 

II. About Select Awards

Feminist Initiative Award:

1. I received the Feminist Initiative Award last year. Can I apply again this year for funding as my project is ongoing? 

You are eligible to reapply for funding for a different project, but you must note this on your application. 

Dissertation Awards:

2. I applied for the Chow Green Award or Beth Hess Award in the past and I won honorable mention. Can I apply again? 

Yes, you can apply again for one of these SWS awards that has an honorable mention as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. All previous applicants, including honorable mention awardees, remain eligible to re-apply one more time.

• I won the Chow Green Award or Beth Hess Award in the past but I need more funding to complete my dissertation. Can I apply again? 

No, former winners of the dissertation awards may not reapply. But you can reapply for awards where you were not chosen as a winner as long as you still meet eligibility criteria.

• Can I apply to both the Chow Green and Beth Hess awards at the same time to support my dissertation research as I meet both eligibility criteria?

Yes, you can apply to multiple awards in the same year.It is not possible to win both 

of these awards in one year; however, you can apply for both if you are eligible for both awards.

• I applied for the Barbara Rosenblum Dissertation Scholarship award in the past and was not successful, can I apply again? 

Yes, you can apply again for any SWS award, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Note that you are eligible to re-apply just one more time for the Chow Green Award or Beth Hess Award.