John Galt Society Research Grant (2026)

The John Galt Society welcomes applications for a grant (of up to ₤1,000) to defray expenses incurred in connection with research into the works, life or influence of John Galt. Two types of research projects—archival and digital—are eligible.

Archival research projects: these projects take a long-established approach to research. They involve traveling to archives, libraries, museums or other relevant locations and examining material holdings. The outcomes they project will usually be anchored in print, though that basis does not preclude ebooks. Eligible expenses might include transportation to the chosen sites and/or lodging near them. For projects that are closer to completion, they might include permissions fees or fees connected with copyediting, indexing or other components of manuscript preparation.

Digital research projects: these projects take new or experimental approaches to research. They might involve extensive use of online archives or digital collections; they might seek to discover how technologically enhanced approaches enable examination of large quantities of playbills, letters, records of other items and how quantitative investigations affect qualitative results. They might aim to create curated websites, collections or electronic editions that combine and present print, images and interactive elements, or they might link to tours of historically significant locations, such as the “Galt Way” of sites connected with Galt’s life and work in Scotland, or they might map areas around the globe that figure in his life and work. The outcomes they project will usually have some digital components, or they might be performances, recordings or videos. Eligible expenses might include costs of project-specific equipment or internet services sufficient to carry out the needed research. For projects closer to completion, they might include permissions, licensing or website hosting fees. For web hosting, some discussion with the Society will be required to help establish the estimated longevity of the project and plans to maintain the website.

There may be some overlap between these two types of projects. Applications may describe both components, and if awarded the grant, researchers may apply the funds to the component of their choice if the grant will not cover both. The grant is not intended to fund all projects fully; it is intended, rather, to add to other funding sources or to make expenses more manageable for researchers without other funding sources.

In all cases, the projects should have the goal of shedding new light on Galt’s significance in literature, history, socio-political thought or economics. Projects that situate Galt in other fields are also welcome.

Eligible applicants are advanced graduate students (students enrolled in PhD programs at universities around the world); early career scholars (scholars whose doctoral degrees date no more than three years before the application and who have held a permanent or secure academic position for no more than three years), contingent faculty (scholars with PhD degrees who hold part-time or temporary academic positions) or independent scholars (scholars with PhD degrees who do not hold academic positions).

The Grant will be awarded annually. Previous recipients may apply for a second time, but preference will be given to first-time applicants. Applications should be emailed to the Administrator of the John Galt Society Research Grant (Dr. Craig Lamont, University of Glasgow, secjgs@gmail.com ). Applications must include all of the following:

►Applicant’s name, address, email address.

►Applicant’s degree and employment status (date of PhD received or expected,
institutional affiliation [or statement that the applicant is not affiliated], length of affiliation
and whether the position is full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary).

►Applicant’s cv.

►Description (approximately 1,000 words) of Applicant’s project, specifying what
portion or aspect of it is to aided by the Grant and what specific use of the Grant money
will be made. The timetable for carrying out the research should also be indicated.

►The name, address, email address and affiliation of a scholar whom the Applicant has
asked to recommend the project. Applicants should make this request of a scholar
familiar with the Applicant’s work and ask the scholar to send the recommendation
directly to the Administrator of the John Galt Research Grant.

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2026. Complete applications must be received by the deadline in order to be considered. The recipient will be announced at the time (usually in March) of the Annual General Meeting of the John Galt Society. It is expected that the research will be carried out and a report submitted within a year of the receipt of the Grant. It is expected that the recipient will join the John Galt Society (if not already a member) before making use of the Grant.

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Craig Lamont, Secretary-Treasurer of the John Galt Society and Administrator of the John Galt Society Research Grant (secjgs@gmail.com) or to Dr. Regina Hewitt, Chair of the John Galt Society (hwt87@earthlink.net). More information can be found on the John Galt Society website.