Before you attempt to complete an application, please study this project website, which contains detailed information about the topic under study, project requirements, expectations of the participants, and the academic and institutional settings.

The application form is at the bottom of this page. Applications are due by midnight PST on March 5, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

Democracy and Education: A View from Detroit is a two-week NEH-funded Summer Institute for middle and high school teachers and eligible others based on the NEH’s Eligibility Criteria. It upholds NEH’s Participant Expectations and abides by the NEH’s Principles of Civility. It is a residential institute that will take place in Detroit, MI from July 15-26, 2024.

Selection Criteria

We are interested in selecting a group of engaged participants who are at different phases of their careers. We also hope to create a cohort that reflects a diversity of perspectives in terms of professional and life experience as well as the schools and communities in which participants work. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of institute staff and veteran teachers.

Notification Procedure

All applicants will receive an email on April 5, 2024 with information about their application status. Accepted applicants must confirm their participation no later than April 19.

As a reminder, applicants may apply to two summer institutes but may attend only one, and may not withdraw from one to accept a second offer. 

Equal Opportunity Statement

Endowment programs do not discriminate based on 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).

Application

A complete application consists of the following items:

1) The Application Form
Fill out the application form (below) by midnight PST, March 5, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

You will need to include a name, phone number, and email address for two professional references as part of the application.

2) The Application Essay
Forming an inclusive group of participants is an important goal for this institute. The essay is the space within the application to help us get a sense of who you are in the context your broader school community.
 
Your essay should be no more than 1000 words. We recommend that you write your response in a text editor and cut/paste it into the form. Application essays should explain how this specific program will benefit you, the participant, professionally. You should, therefore, address the following:

1. A description of yourself as educator and the school or educational community in which you work. 
2. The strengths of your current teaching and the areas in which you hope to improve your teaching. 
3. How participation in this institute will enhance your teaching. Please be specific in describing ways that you envision the institute informing your current teaching and/or curriculum.

3) A Resume or CV
You will need to include a resume or curriculum vitae (not to exceed five pages). Please make sure your last name is in the filename. For example “Person_resume.pdf”. If you cannot upload your file at the link above, or if you do not have a Google account, you can email it as a .pdf attachment to democracyeddetroit@gmail.com.

Democracy and Education: A View from Detroit Application Form