Fellowships

Participants are eligible for full fellowships that include course tuition and single room dormitory accommodations at Salem College. The tuition also includes lodging (double room), bus transportation, admission fees, and many meals during the study trip. Single room supplements for the study trip accommodations are available. For those seeking outside support, full tuition for the 2025 Summer Institute is $6,000.

In addition to Frank L. Horton Fellowships, the following special fellowships are available:

William C. and Susan S. Mariner Southern Ceramics Fellowship

This fellowship supports the study of southern ceramics by providing a student or museum professional full tuition to the MESDA Summer Institute.  The Mariner Fellow is expected to select a ceramics related research project and produce an exceptional public presentation and written paper.  Special preference will be given to scholars and students with long-term projects that are likely to result in theses, dissertations, publications, or exhibitions.

The Mills Lane Architectural Fellowship

This fellowship supports the study of southern architecture by providing a student or museum professional with full tuition to the MESDA Summer Institute.  The Mills Lane Fellow is expected to select an architecture related research project and produce an exceptional public presentation and written paper.  Special preference will be given to scholars and students with long term projects that are likely to result in theses, dissertations, publications, or exhibitions.

William C. and Susan S. Mariner Fellowship for Emerging Museum Professionals

This fellowship, sponsored by The Decorative Arts Trust, supports an emerging museum professional in the field of the decorative arts with full tuition for the MESDA Summer Institute.  In addition to an exceptional public presentation and written paper, this student is expected to provide updates that can be used for the Decorative Arts Trust’s social media platforms. Following the completion of their time at MESDA, the fellow must write a brief (500-word) essay reflecting on their experience for publication in the Decorative Arts Trust’s online and print publications as well as share his or her presentation with the Trust.