The Gilder Lehrman History Scholar Award recognizes outstanding graduating college seniors who have demonstrated academic and extracurricular excellence in American History or American Studies. 

Fifteen winners will be selected from candidates across the country.  Awardees participate in a weekend of activities in New York City in June, where they will attend specially arranged meetings with leading American historians and take specially arranged tours of historical archives.  Awardees are reimbursed up to $600 for their travel expenses to New York.  The Gilder Lehrman Institute provides for meals and lodging during the weekend.

At the time of application, students must be graduating seniors at an accredited college or university in the U.S., where they must major in history or American Studies with an American history concentration.  The application requires submission of an academic writing sample, a personal statement, a college transcript, and two faculty recommendations.