Rare Book School
RBS Home | Course Schedule | Admissions | myRBS | Support RBS | Contact RBS | Previous Years

Scholarships

(Photo by Stephanie Gross)

Two main categories of scholarships are available: those awarded by Rare Book School and those conducted through partner organizations. Participation in the scholarship program implies acceptance of the scholarship Terms and Conditions.

 

RBS Scholarships for First-Time Students

The following scholarships are available for those who have not yet had the opportunity to attend Rare Book School. Applications for the 2014 cycle will be available in early September.

RBS Scholarship Committee Awards

There are several types of scholarships awarded by the RBS Scholarship Committee each fall, all of which are conducted through a single application process. Applicants who submit a completed application by the 15 October deadline will be considered for all of the awards for which they are eligible. Scholarships are awarded without reference to admission to any particular course. Once a student is admitted to an RBS course, the scholarship award may be redeemed.

Scholarships are awarded in the fall and take effect in January. Scholarship recipients must claim their award within two years (e.g., scholarships awarded in December 2013 must be claimed by 31 January 2016).

The RBS Scholarship Committee members only consider applications from those who seek to attend RBS for the first time. In addition, special consideration will be given to individuals in the early stages of their professional careers. For more details about the scholarship program, see the Frequently Asked Questions page.

The 2014 Scholarship Committee comprises: Jennifer Lowe, chair (Rare Book Librarian, Pius XII Memorial Library, Saint Louis University); Evan Davis (Associate Professor, Department of English, Hampden-Sydney College); Jeremy Dibbell (Director of Communications and Outreach, Rare Book School); Allison Jai O'Dell (Special Collections Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, University of Miami Libraries); Teri Osborn (Americana Cataloger, William Reese Company); Kyle Triplett (Librarian, Rare Book Division, New York Public Library).

The following scholarships are awarded by the RBS Scholarship Commitee:

Directors’ Scholarship

SHARP-RBS Scholarship

ASECS Scholarship

Atlas Systems Scholarship

BSA-RBS Scholarship

James Davis Scholarship

Fath Scholarships for Artists and Artisans of the Book

The Fath Scholarships for Artists and Artisans of the Book are open to individuals who routinely engage in hands-on work with printed artifacts, and who are ineligible for funding or financial aid through their places of work. Bookbinders, letterpress printers, graphic designers, conservators, papermakers, printmakers, type designers, and other book artists and artisans are invited to apply. Fath Scholarship awards include tuition for one RBS course, plus a stipend for travel, housing, or other course-related expenses. Scholarships are awarded without reference to admission to any particular course. Once a student is admitted to an RBS course, the scholarship award may be redeemed.

Scholarships are awarded in the fall and take effect in January. Scholarship recipients must claim their award within two years (e.g., scholarships awarded in December 2013 must be claimed by 31 January 2016).


RBS Scholarships for Returning Students

The following scholarships are available for those who have previously attended Rare Book School, including those who have received RBS scholarships in the past. Applications for the 2014 scholarship cycle will be accepted beginning in early September.

William T. Buice III Scholarship

Outside Scholarship Opportunities

Several other bibliographical organizations generously offer scholarships towards RBS course tuition. Each organization has its own criteria and selection process; however, eligibility may be contingent on admission to an RBS course. Applicants will need to refer to the providing organization's website for full details.

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) maintains scholarship funds which may be applied to RBS course tuition. ABAA scholarship funds are open to full and associate members of the ABAA and employees of members. For more information, contact ABAA staff.

The Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) awards an annual scholarship to one of its members which may be used for Rare Book School, California Rare Book School (Los Angeles), or London Rare Books School. It does not require pre-acceptance to a specific course; members have up to 18 months to attend a program after being awarded the scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition plus an additional stipend to offset some travel costs. For more information, contact IOBA staff.

The NCC/ABAA is accepting applications for the George Robert Kane Scholarship, which will provide funding to attend courses offered by Rare Book School, the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar, or California Rare Book School (Los Angeles). These scholarships honor the memory of long-time NCC/ABAA member George Robert Kane (6 October 1913–28 November 2009) and are designed to promote professionalism and education relevant to the book trade. Please contact Chapter Secretary Chris Lowenstein at chris@bookhuntersholiday.com for more information.

The Tavistock Books Educational Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship opportunity that is available to all antiquarian booksellers admitted to Joel Silver’s course, Reference Sources for Researching Rare Books (L-25). One Tavistock Scholarship will be awarded each year this course is offered. Preference will be given to individuals in the early stages of their careers and to those who would not otherwise be able to attend RBS without scholarship assistance. See the scholarship page for additional details.