Marshall Foundation Scholars Program

• Give undergraduate students studying history or a related field an opportunity to undertake research and writing projects using the research library’s rich and vast holdings of primary sources.
• Scholars may choose topics in twentieth-century diplomatic, military, or political history from 1898 to 1960—the approximate dates of George C. Marshall’s public service—that can be supported, in large part, by the collections that reside in the archives.
• Scholars who write about a subject relating to George C. Marshall’s service with the Army or government are eligible for the Larry I. Bland Scholars Prize.

• Interested students submit an application (available below). Applicants must either be a declared history major/minor, a declared major/minor in a related field, or working on a specific project for which our archives could provide important support.
• Students will undertake a substantial research paper.
• Students are required to make arrangements with their faculty advisor or course instructor to determine appropriate course credit for their work.
• Upon acceptance of a student’s application, the student will be admitted to candidacy status to conduct research at his/her convenience.
• Papers may be completed in conjunction with a regular course, independent study, or an honors thesis.
• Papers may be completed over a semester or the academic year.
• All research papers must be submitted by May 1 of the academic year.
  
• Scholars may apply now for fall 2024, and beginning in November for spring 2025.
• Download application here.
• Email completed application and pdf attachments to [email protected].

• Monetary awards for the top 3 papers.
• Designation as a Marshall Foundation Scholar upon successful completion of the program.
• Larry I. Bland Scholars Prize – awarded to the best research paper on a topic relating to George C. Marshall. The paper will be considered for publication in the foundation’s official magazine, Marshall.

The research library’s resources include:

• George C. Marshall’s own papers and the personal papers of many of Marshall’s associates from the military and government.
• Specialized library of over 30,000 volumes, as well as thousands of photographs, maps, and posters of the period.
• Other subject strengths include: arms control; China; cryptology; the homefront during World War II; U.S. involvement in World War II, and the Korean War; military intelligence; NATO; propaganda; Women’s Army Corps.