The NASA Fellowship
The NASA Fellowship in the History of Space Technology, offered by SHOT and supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) History Division, will fund one predoctoral or postdoctoral fellow for up to one academic year to undertake a research project related to the history of space technology. The fellowship may support advanced research related to all aspects of space history, leading to publications on the history of space technology broadly considered, including cultural and intellectual history, institutional history, economic history, history of law and public policy, and history of engineering and management.The fellowship carries a stipend of $17,000, paid quarterly. Funds may not be used to support tuition or fees. The NASA Fellow will also receive complimentary SHOT membership for the year of fellowship. The Fellow will be offered opportunities to present research results at SHOT’s annual meeting, in SHOT’s newsletter, in the electronic version of Technology and Culture, through the SHOT website, or other outlets as appropriate. Fellows will carry out their research projects using personal office space, equipment, and supplies.
Applicants must possess a doctorate in history of technology or in a closely related field, or be enrolled as a student in a doctoral degree program and have completed all requirements for the Ph.D., except the dissertation, in history of technology or a related field. Eligibility is not limited to U.S. citizens or residents.
Obligations of the Recipient
- The recipient shall engage in research in the history of space technology for nine months, normally August-May, but within the period from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
- While on fellowship tenure, a fellow shall devote his/her efforts largely to the research program.
- The fellow shall provide to the NASA History Office a copy of any publications that emerge from the research undertaken during the fellowship year.
- Fellows will be expected to present at least one paper or public lecture on the findings of their research during their fellowship year.
- The Fellow will write a report detailing his or her activities during the year at the term’s conclusion.
Other terms
- Accepting the fellowship incurs no obligations to NASA or SHOT, regarding publication of research results.
- No commitment on the part of either the recipient of a fellowship, or SHOT, or the supporting NASA office, with regard to later employment, is implied by acceptance of an award.
Deadline, Submission Information, and Notification
The deadline for application is April 1, 2008, and the fellowship winner will be notified by May 15, 2008. Proposals will be evaluated in terms of scholarly merit and promise relative to the subject of the history of space technology, completeness, reasonableness, likelihood for successful performance, and insight. Special consideration shall be given to proposals that indicate specific methodologies and consideration of all the steps involved in preparing an academic manuscript for publication.Application forms are available in PDF or MS Word. Please note that as part of your application, you will need to submit a full curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, and a research proposal of not more than six pages, double-spaced. Questions may be addressed to SHOT secretary Amy Bix, shot@iastate.edu
Resources
The NASA Fellowship in the History of Space Technology is designed to promote the study of the history of space technology broadly conceived, including its technical, cultural, social, institutional and personal context, over the 50 years since NASA's founding. A significant portion of NASA's $17 billion budget today goes for technology development in human and robotic spaceflight. Historical studies of space technology can not only document and analyze the past, but also illuminate current programs and provide input for the future. Studies of space technology are listed at the NASA History Office website http://history.nasa.gov. Among resources available are the NASA archives, with materials on history of NASA programs, institutions, and personnel. For more information, see the NASA History website at http://www.nasa.gov.2008 NASA Prize Committee
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John Krige (chair)
School of History, Technology and Society Georgia Institute of Technology 685 Cherry St. Atlanta GA 30332-0345 |
Margaret A. Weitekamp
National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian Institution PO Box 37012 NASM MRC 311 Washington, DC 20013-7012 weitekampm@si.edu |
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Neil Maher
Federated History Department New Jersey Institute of Technology 323 High Street Newark NJ 07102 neil.m.maher@njit.edu |