The Hesse Grant was established in honor of AHCT founder Everett Hesse to recognize outstanding scholarship by graduate students working on early modern Hispanic theater and performance studies. This award sponsors a one-year membership to the AHCT along with conference registration for the recipient to present their winning paper at the upcoming AHCT conference.
As part of their annual membership, the grant winner will also receive a copy of the next issue of Comedia Performance, the journal of the association. In keeping with AHCT’s mission of mentorship and collaboration, the evaluation panel provides constructive feedback on all submissions to support students as they develop their projects for conference presentation and potential publication. The winning paper will be considered for publication in Comedia Performance.
Deadline: June 1st, 2026
Eligibility and submissions
Eligibility:
Current graduate students (master’s or PhD level)
Research focus on early modern Hispanic theater and performance studies
Submission Guidelines:
Original research essay of approximately 8-10 pages in length (double-spaced, 12-point font) Complete bibliography (not included in page count)
Cover page including contact information, institutional affiliation, and degree program
Format:
All materials must be submitted in PDF format
Essays should follow a consistent citation style (MLA preferred, but not required) Submissions may be in English or Spanish
Submission Process:
Please submit all materials electronically to hmeadow1@utk.edu with the subject line “AHCT Hesse Grant Submission – [Your Last Name]”
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated based on:
Originality and significance of research
Quality of scholarship and methodology
Clarity of writing and argumentation
Contribution to the field of early modern Hispanic theater studies
Selection Process
A panel of AHCT board members and affiliated scholars will review all submissions. The winner will be notified by September 1, 2025, with sufficient time to prepare for the October conference presentation.
For any question, get in touch with hmeadow1@utk.edu