Keepers Preservation Education Fund (KPEF)

KEEPERS PRESERVATION EDUCATION FUND

FELLOWSHIPS

Fellowship grants are now available from the Keepers Preservation Education Fund (KPEF) in support of educational activities related to the fields of historic preservation and architectural conservation.

KPEF fellowship grants support aspiring or established preservation professionals who wish to increase their professional knowledge or career potential. Fellowships may be used for tuition, professional meeting attendance, special book purchases, domestic and foreign study travel, and other purposes.

KPEF grants can range from several hundred dollars to larger sums, awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees. Fellowships are awarded on the basis of both qualifications and need; applicants are encouraged to augment KPEF grants with other grants or awards.

Who may apply for KPEF fellowships?

Students, whether full- or part-time, enrolled in institutions of higher learning with majors in historic preservation or such allied fields as American studies, anthropology, archeology, architecture, art history, history, planning or building conservation, among others.

Staff, whether volunteer or paid, of preservation institutions or organizations. Preference will be given to applicants representing institutions that have historic property stewardship programs. Applications from more junior staff are preferred; for example, preference will be given to docents over directors or curators. Similar junior staff preference will be given to preservation activist organizations.

Representatives of educational programs of any organization that holds property listed in the National Register of Historic Places, provided that the property is open to the public for educational purposes and sufficient justification is made for need.

The H. Ward Jandl Fellowship
Study inquiries of 20th-century building technology and related areas are supported by a special KPEF fellowship program that honors the late H. Ward Jandl, former deputy chief, Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, who had a keen interest in this area. Fellowship preference for this program is given to students or young professionals.

The Rhoad Family Fellowship
Volunteer or paid staff of house museums and similar preservation organizations are supported by a special Keepers Preservation Education Fund fellowship program that honors the late Maude, Helen, Gladys, Rodney, Merritt, Albert and Alice Rhoad, all descendants of emigres to the Pennsylvania Colony in the 1740's. Fellowship preference is given to docents over curators and directors, unless they are one and the same person in a small organization. Applications from house museum and allied museum-oriented organizations throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants from the Greater Delaware Valley in the Tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey are particularly encouraged.

HOW TO APPLY FOR KPEF FELLOWSHIPS

Individuals must apply through a sponsoring institution or organization, which reviews and forwards the application to KPEF. KPEF does not accept applications directly from individuals seeking financial assistance. For example, an individual may seek institutional sponsorship from a college or university in which s/he is enrolled, from a preservation institution at which s/he is an employee, or from a preservation organization in which s/he is a member.

Sponsoring institutions must agree to screen the applicant and administer the grant through an existing selection system such as an awards or scholarship committee. The institution assesses the applicant's qualifications and need, and then forwards the recommended application to the KPEF board for funding consideration.

KPEF should preferably receive applications at least three months in advance of actual need.

Information needed from the fellowship applicant

Applicant's name, address, telephone and fax numbers.

Relationship to sponsoring institution or organization (for instance, student, staff or member).

One-page statement explaining why funds are needed.

Statement of total funds needed in support of the project or activity.
Successful KPEF fellows must later provide a short follow-up report explaining the benefits realized from the grant.

Information needed from the sponsoring institution

Institution's name, address, telephone and fax numbers.

Name of contact person coordinating the institution's sponsorship of the application.

Purpose of the sponsoring organization.

Short statement explaining how the application was reviewed and how many individuals participated in the screening or selection process.

Number of staff/faculty affiliated with the sponsoring institution.

Approximate operating budget of the sponsoring institution, organization, department, or program, as applicable.

ABOUT THE FUND

The Keepers Preservation Education Fund was established in 1988 by the first Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, William J. Murtagh, Ph.D. It is governed by a five-person board composed of a preservation author and historic house museum consultant; a preservation educator; a national preservation official; a lawyer; and an international banker. A preservation realtor serves as an advisor. The fund is organized as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation; contributions to the fund are tax deductible as allowed by law.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Eugenio de Anzorena, Managing Trustee
Keepers Preservation Education Fund
5 West Luray, Alexandria, VA 22301
703.548.1836
artdeco41@aol.com