Sawyer Seminars
The Mellon Foundation established the Sawyer Seminars (named in honor of Mellon’s third president, John E. Sawyer) in 1994 to provide funding to institutions for comparative research on the historical and cultural factors in current affairs. The seminar format is unique and allows for collaboration among a broad and, in many cases, interdisciplinary group of scholars, as well as engagement with the campus community and the wider public. More than 250 scholars and 70 institutions have taken part in the Sawyers since their inception.
Each seminar typically meets for one year. Seminars may include various programming, such as lectures, workshops, reading and discussion groups, or community forums. Faculty participants largely come from the humanities and social sciences, although seminars also have included faculty members in the arts and from professional schools. Seminars are also encouraged to include students and administrators in seminar activities, and to invite participants from nearby institutions, such as community colleges, liberal arts colleges, museums, research institutes, and local organizations to achieve interdisciplinary and community-engaged collaboration.
Applicants independently determine the specific research methodologies and content of their programming. Institutions decide internally which proposals they will submit for Mellon’s consideration. An external panel of distinguished scholars evaluates all proposals and selects the strongest applications to recommend for grant funding. Grants are made to the institution, not an individual.
2024-2025 Theme: Academic Freedom and Democracy
To mark the program’s 30th anniversary, Mellon invited proposals for the study of academic freedom and democracy in the American university. This theme celebrates the Sawyer Seminars' mission of elevating critical scholarship while also emphasizing Mellon’s commitment to supporting work that broadens and deepens our understanding of American history and culture.
Grant recipients in the 2024-2025 cycle (on the topic of academic freedom) are expected to highlight and disseminate their findings across campus by a means that best fits their campus context, such as the publication of a white paper or the hosting of a symposium, with the ultimate goal of applying seminar outcomes at their institutions.
The program will be paused for the 2025-2026 cycle to receive a comprehensive refresh. The program is expected to relaunch in late 2026.