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Samuel Eliot Morison Naval History Scholarship

The Director of Naval History (N09BH) has established the Samuel Eliot Morison Naval History Scholarship Program to promote development of a broad understanding of naval history within the American national experience. This historical knowledge is an invaluable tool for the decision making process.

The scholarship was named in honor of the late Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison, USNR, an eminent naval and maritime historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author.

This scholarship provides a $5,000 cash award to a selected, active duty commissioned officer of the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps with demonstrated leadership potential and high academic qualifications who is already pursuing graduate study in history, international relations, or a related field. The award will help pay for expenses related to research, travel, and the purchase of books or other educational materials.

Commissioned officers desiring to compete for the Morison Scholarship to be awarded for study beginning in the coming fall should submit a letter of application via their commanding officer to the Senior Historian, Naval Historical Center, 805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington Navy Yard, D.C. 20374-5060.

Applications must be received no later than April 30th and include the following information:
- University presently attending or to which application has been made and the current status of that application
- Copy of officer biography
- A statement from the applicant that includes an outline of the proposed education program, degree objective, major of study
- A copy of all official college/university transcripts
- A statement not to exceed 500 words concerning the relationship of the Morison Scholarship to the applicant's interests and the value to be derived both by the individual and the Navy Department
- Commanding officer's endorsement

The Director of Naval History will make the final selection of the Morison Scholar and an alternate by June. Selection of finalists will be based on the following criteria:

Relevance of the chosen area of study to U.S. naval history
- Demonstrated professional performance with particular emphasis on the officer's specialty
- Academic ability including baccalaureate record
- The career needs of the officer
- Potential for professional growth