The Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Award
The Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Award supports scholars’ works in progress to advance the study of the Black Catholic experience in North America and the Caribbean from the colonial period to the 20th century.
Funder: University of Notre Dame
Due Dates: December 31, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $1,000 cash award
Summary: Recognizes works in progress promising significant contributions to the study of the Black Catholic experience in North America and the Caribbean.
Key Information: Open to scholars in any academic discipline, both within and outside Notre Dame.
Description
The Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Award recognizes works in progress that promise to make significant contributions to the study of the Black Catholic experience in North America and the Caribbean, from the colonial period to the 20th century. The University of Notre Dame’s Cushwa Center administers the award in partnership with the American Catholic Historical Association (ACHA).
Established in 2020, the award honors Father Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. (1930–2015), a Benedictine monk, scholar, and founding member of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus. His book, The History of Black Catholics in the United States, helped restore Black Catholic stories to the writing and teaching of U.S. Catholic history. The award invites scholarship from any academic discipline that advances this field.
