Harold J. Haskins Research Grant for Graduate Students at The Center for Africana Studies
The Harold J. Haskins Research Grant for Graduate Students supports research-related costs for graduate students affiliated with The Center for Africana Studies. This grant was established through a generous fundraising campaign organized by the Black Alumni Society, honoring the legacy of Harold J. Haskins, whose work and mentorship made a lasting impact on Black graduate students at Penn.
Purpose of the Grant
The Harold J. Haskins Research Grant provides financial support for:
- Research-related costs
- Travel
- Conference attendance (domestic or international)
- Stipends
- Other approved research expenses
Award Details
- Each student is eligible for a maximum of $1,500 per academic year.
- Students can apply multiple times within the same academic year, but the total awarded per student cannot exceed $1,500.
- For example, a student may request $500 for a conference and $350 for another research-related expense, as long as the total remains within the $1,500 limit.
- Awards will be determined by the Haskins Research Grant Committee of The Center for Africana Studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Harold J. Haskins Research Grant, applicants must:
- Be a graduate student affiliated with The Center for Africana Studies.
- To become or remain an affiliate, students must attend at least two Africana seminars in an academic year and commit to participating in other Africana events.
- Submit applications for research-related costs only, including the areas mentioned above.
- Keep meticulous records of prior applications and awards to ensure compliance with the $1,500 annual limit.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted at any time to: cfasdirector@sas.upenn.edu
For more information, email cfasdirector@sas.upenn.edu or visit The Center for Africana Studies on Locust Walk.
This grant is an excellent opportunity for graduate students to advance their research while honoring Harold J. Haskins’ commitment to fostering excellence and equity at Penn.
About Harold J. Haskins
Harold Haskins embodied the deep belief that Black graduate students at Penn didn’t need to wait till they completed their degrees to impact the lives of undergraduate students. He recruited them to tutor, encouraged them to find ways to level the playing field for students studying in the STEM fields, and prepared them to go out in the world as fully-trained professionals poised to make a difference. Graduate students who found their way to his office on Locust Walk quickly realized that it was a safe space, where they could find refuge from the pressures of their graduate studies. His ties, first, to the Afro-American Studies Program, and later to the Center for Africana Studies took many forms, through his support of the Summer Institute and its co-curricular programs.
Mr. Haskins was a trailblazing educator, activist, and mentor who dedicated his life to uplifting young people and fostering Black student success. Beginning his career working with gangs in North Philadelphia and later serving as Penn’s associate dean of students, “Hask” developed innovative programs to support Black students academically and socially, dramatically improving their retention and graduation rates. He created initiatives that addressed systemic inequities, built corporate partnerships, and cultivated a sense of belonging at Penn. His groundbreaking work with street gangs produced The Jungle, a nationally acclaimed film now preserved in the Library of Congress.