Eligibility and How to Apply

Am I eligible to apply?

Common Ground seeks a diverse group of full and part-time educators from a variety of humanities disciplines, including teachers and librarians in public, charter, independent and religiously affiliated schools, as well as home-schooling parents. While the content focus might be more appropriate to the middle and high school student, all K-12 educators are invited to apply. To foster creative discussions related to pedagogical approaches, we aim to create a cross-discipline and mixed grade-level cohort. 

Endowment programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age. For further information, write to the Equal Opportunity Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. TDD: 202-606-8282 (this is a special telephone device for the Deaf). 

How much is the stipend and what does it cover?

The NEH two-week stipend of $2,200 will defray expenses associated with your participation in the Common Ground program, such as travel, housing, and books. All participants will receive their stipend in two installments at the beginning and end of the two-week program, less $550 for the second week's all-inclusive room and board at Camp Huntington on Raquette Lake. Participants are responsible for reserving/paying for their own lodging (see Housing & Transportation page) the first week in New York City. Please note: all stipends are taxable as income. 

May I earn graduate credit?

SUNY Cortland provides participants with certificates attesting to professional development hours completed during this summer institute. Participants may submit these certificates to their school districts in support of their efforts to earn professional development hours. Participants may earn 3.0 graduate credits from SUNY Cortland by enrolling as a “non-matriculated” student in HIS 529 TP: Gilded Age & Progressive Era. Tuition and fees are approximately $1,649.30 in-state and $3,125.30 for non-residents (2022 rates will be published when available.)

How do I apply?

All applicants are invited to submit materials by the NEH application deadline of March 1, 2022.
Please consult the NEH Eligibility statement before applying. 

Complete applications include the following four components: 

1. Online Application Form
2. Résumé (2 pages maximum) uploaded within the online application form.  
3. Application Essay (2 double-spaced pages maximum) uploaded within the online application form. The application essay should address your interest in the Institute’s content, your qualifications and experiences relevant to this particular Institute, and the teaching and learning goals you hope to meet through your participation.  
4. Letter of Recommendation from your school principal, department head, district administrator or home-schooling association president as appropriate. The letter of recommendation should be emailed directly to commongroundneh@cortland.edu 
   
   

Important Dates/Deadlines:

March 1, 2022: Application Deadline. All four components of the application must be received including the online application form, resume and application essay (uploaded within the online form), and a letter of recommendation (emailed to commongroundneh@cortland.edu).

A selection committee, comprising of the project directors and an outside reviewer with prior NEH experience, will evaluate all complete applications to select a group of Summer Scholars and alternates.

March 25, 2022: Applicants will be notified of acceptance or alternate status.

April 8, 2022: Successful applicants must accept or decline their offer(s).

NOTE: Once you have accepted an offer to attend any NEH Summer Program (NEH Summer Seminar or Institute), you may not accept an additional offer or withdraw in order to accept a different offer.