Each year, the American Historical Association awards several research grants with the aim of advancing the study and exploration of history in a diverse number of subject areas. All grants are awarded in June and may be used anytime in the subsequent 15 months for expenses related to furthering research in progress. Grants may be used for travel to a library or archive; microfilming, photography, or photocopying; borrowing or access fees; and similar research expenses—a list of purposes that is meant to be merely illustrative, not exhaustive (other expenses, such as child care, can be included).

Only AHA members are eligible to apply for AHA research grants. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students, nontenured faculty, and unaffiliated scholars and to those with specific research needs such as the completion of a project or discrete segment thereof.