The Social Medicine Portal

Lear Fellowships for Medical History Students

As noted in an earlier posting, this year Walter Lear turned 85. He used his birthday party (in part) to fundraise for a medical history fellowship. Here is the description of the fellowship:

“The U.S. Health Left History Center is pleased to announce the availability of the Lear Fellowships to further the investigation of the history of U.S. health activism using the U.S. Health Activism History Collection at the University of Pennsylvania Rare Book and Manuscript Library as well as other relevant resources. Two fellowships of $1000 will be awarded annually. If the fellow is not in commuting distance of Philadelphia the documented costs of travel and two weeks residence will also be defrayed (maximum $2,000).In addition to conducting research, fellows will submit a report of the research completed no later than one year after receipt of the fellowship (this may be posted on the website of the History Center or published in its newsletter).

The U.S. Health Activism History Collection gives priority attention to classism, racism and sexism in the health field and major reform of the health care delivery system including national legislation, as well as to the health and medical aspects of poverty, labor unions, civil and human rights, women’s movements, Left political parties, grass-roots human services, red witch hunts, L/G/B/T issues, and international peace and progressive people’s solidarity campaigns.

Eligibility: Applicants must have been or be enrolled in a college/university degree program.

Time schedule: The deadline for the receipt of applications is July 1. Awards will be announced September 1 and will apply for the subsequent twelve months.

Applications (both PDF and hard copy) must include:

1. a project description of no more than 3 double-spaced pages in 12-point font indicating the purpose and methodology of the research and the historical materials to be consulted; preference will be given to projects that are likely to be useful to current and future U.S. health activists;

2. a curriculum vitae of no more than 2 pages;

3. a proposed budget for travel and residence (two weeks maximum) for applicants not in commuting distance of Philadelphia;

4. the name of one reference who has agreed to send a supporting letter directly to the History Center by July 1.

Submissions may be made either by mail or email to:

The U.S. Health Left History Center
206 N. 35th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2429
Email: wjlear@critpath.org

For more information please contact:
Walter J. Lear, M.D., Director
U.S. Health Left History Center
215-386-5327