Selection Criteria

SELECTION CRITERIA

A selection committee reads and evaluates all properly completed applications in order to select the most promising applicants and to identify a number of alternates.  Seminar selection committees typically consist of the seminar director, a school teacher who is usually a participant in a previous NEH seminar, and a colleague of the director.  Institute selection committees typically consist of three to five members, usually all drawn from the institute faculty and staff members.  Recent participants are eligible to apply, but project selection committees are directed to give first consideration to applicants who have not participated in an NEH-supported Seminar, Institute or Landmarks Workshop in the last three years (2008, 2009, 2010).  

The most important consideration in the selection of participants is the likelihood that an applicant will benefit professionally and personally.  Committee members consider several factors, each of which should be addressed in the application essay.  These factors include:

1.  effectiveness and commitment as a teacher/educator;

2.  intellectual interests, in general and as they relate to the work of the project;

3.  special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the seminar or             institute;

4.  commitment to participate fully in the formal and informal collegial life of the project; and

5.  the likelihood that the experience will enhance the applicant's teaching.

When choices must be made among equally qualified candidates, several additional factors are considered.  Preference is given to applicants who have not previously participated in an NEH Summer Seminar, Institute, or Landmarks Workshop, or who significantly contribute to the diversity of the seminar or institute.