The Endowment and Its Intent
The Joseph L. Peyser Endowment for the Study of New France (hereafter, the Endowment) is funded by a trust established for the History Department at Western Michigan University (WMU) by J. Randall Peyser to honor the memory of his father Dr. Joseph L. Peyser who was an eminent scholar of New France and who wrote widely on the history and culture of the French in North America and, in particular, in the Great Lakes region. Dr. Peyser published edited translations of important documents, many of which had long escaped scholars’ attention, studies of the French and of French-Native relations, and of French cartography. His research identified the location of Fort St. Joseph, an important French trading post located in present day Niles, Michigan.
The intention of the Endowment is to provide financial assistance to WMU faculty and graduate students to support research, defined as broadly as were Dr. Peyser’s interests, on the history and culture of the French in North America including: the history of the French presence in North America and in the Great Lakes region; the culture (language, arts, material culture, built environment) of the French in North America and in the Great Lakes region; the history and culture of Native peoples with whom the French interacted in North America and the Great Lakes region; the history of Native-French interactions in North America and the Great Lakes region. In recognition of Dr. Peyser’s broad range of interests, collaborations, and interdisciplinary work, funds may also be used to support New France-related research, conferences, or educational initiatives conducted by community historical associations or other not-for-profit organizations working in affiliation with WMU. Support from The Joseph L. Peyser Endowment for the Study of New France must be acknowledged in all research completed, projects funded, etc.
For detailed descriptions of the Endowment and its Guidelines see:
The Endowment and its Intent
Application/Proposal Guidelines
Downloadable Endowment Announcement/Description:Click Here
For more information contact:
Dr. José António Brandão
Chair, Joseph L. Peyser Endowment Committee
Department of History, 4301 Friedman Hall
Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, 49008-5334
e-mail: jose.brandao@wmich.edu