CSA Adele Filene Student Presenter Grant

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be a current student member of the Costume Society of America
• Must have received notice that their proposal for an oral research paper or research exhibit has been accepted for that year’s National Symposium

The complete application should be uploaded as one (1) pdf document under 100MB via an online submission form that will be provided to eligible applicants after December 15, 2025, that includes the following in listed order:

•  A cover page including contact information
• Grant Proposal – (1000 words) addressing:

1. Applicant’s career goals, major, date of graduation, and name of college or university;
2. What you hope to gain from attending the CSA National Symposium and interest in continuing involvement with CSA;
3. Significance and methodology of the research to be presented.
4. Copy of the abstract(s) submitted and accepted to National Symposium.
5. Copy of the notice of acceptance to National Symposium.
6. Current CV of the applicant.
7. A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the applicant’s academic record, preferably a faculty member or academic advisor that includes the following: 

• Student name
• TitleIs) of Accepted Abstract(s)
• Name of Recommender
• Name of Institution
• Position
• Date
• How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
• Please describe applicant’s qualifications, including your evaluation of the student’s scholarship, past academic performance, ability to complete projects, professional promise, and importance of the proposed research project.

Each criterion is rated according to the following scale: 

5 = exceptional, 4 = very good, 3 = average, 2 = below average, 1 = inadequate

1. Significance of research; quality of student scholarship & future professional promise
2. Interest in broad field of costume; interest in CSA involvement
3. 1000 word essay on interest in dress & fashion, career goals, what hope to gain from symposium attendance
4. Letter of recommendation

The Abstract Submittal/Application Deadline for the 2026 Annual Meeting is October 1, 2025. Submitters will be notified of acceptance by December 1, 2025. The deadline for applications for the Adele Filene Award is January 15, 2026.  The committee will make the final selection and send notifications by February 28, 2026.

Recipients are expected to attend the symposium and present their research.

Recipient must publicly acknowledge CSA in all lectures, publications, publicity pertaining to the award.

Following the presentation at the National Symposium, reimbursement of up to $600 of expenses to present at the symposium will be paid upon completion of travel and submission of an expense report.