Research Funding
The Cushwa Center administers six funding opportunities supporting scholarly research across a range of subject areas. These programs are available to scholars both within Notre Dame and outside the University. The next application deadline for all six programs is December 31, 2026.
The center also offers an Undergraduate Research and Writing Prize for students of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College. Applications are next due May 1, 2027.
Gustavo Gutiérrez Research Awards
Gustavo Gutiérrez Research Awards, launched in 2025, support projects in theology, history, and the social sciences that engage or take inspiration from the work of Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, O.P. (1928–2024), especially his articulation of the preferential option for the poor.
Research Travel Grants
Research Travel Grants assist scholars who wish to visit the University Archives or other collections at the Hesburgh Libraries at Notre Dame for research relating to the study of Catholics in America.
Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grants
Peter R. D’Agostino Research Travel Grants facilitate the study of the American past from an international perspective. Funds support research in Roman archives for projects on U.S. Catholic history.
Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Award
Established in partnership with the American Catholic Historical Association, the Cyprian Davis, O.S.B, Award recognizes outstanding research on the Black Catholic experience.
Mother Theodore Guerin Research Travel Grants
Mother Theodore Guerin Research Travel Grants support scholars whose research projects feature Catholic women more prominently in modern history. Grants are made to scholars seeking to visit any repository in or outside the United States or traveling to conduct oral history interviews, especially of women religious.
Hibernian Research Awards
Funded by an endowment from the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Hibernian Research Awards support the scholarly study of Irish and Irish American history.
Past grant and award recipient announcements
2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990
1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982 | 1981 (Fall; Spring) | 1980 (Fall; Spring)
1979 (June; March) | 1978 (June; March)
Theodore M. Hesburgh Research Travel Grants (2015–2020)
The Cushwa Center administered the Theodore M. Hesburgh Research Travel Grant Program from 2015 to 2020 to support research projects in any academic discipline that considered the work of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., former president of the University of Notre Dame.