Announcements
THE HONORABLE PETER FOX COHALAN SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICAN HISTORY FOR NASSAU/SUFFOLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK – The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan Scholarship in American History for Nassau/Suffolk County High School Seniors. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating Nassau/Suffolk County high school senior who will pursue an undergraduate degree with a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History and/or American Government.
The awardees must attend a 4-year accredited college or university or academic institution subject to Board approval. The scholarship award is $10,000 yearly for 4 years of degree completion.
Application will be closed on March 31, 2026. Notifications will be sent out in the first week of May, 2026. A runner-up will be selected in case the first-place awardee is unable to accept the scholarship.
Eligibility: The Foundation will accept a maximum of 3 applicants from each High School located in Nassau/Suffolk County, New York.
Application Materials
1. An academic writing sample of at least 10 pages (typed and double spaced) based on any aspect of Long Island history and how it reflects New York State and American History.
2. Chicago-style endnotes, as well as a bibliography.
3. Two of the sources must be primary.
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation from an American history or American studies teacher.
5. Personal statement in the form of a 500-word academic autobiography giving special attention to achievements in American history and public service.
6. An official transcript.
A completed package including all of the above items must be received by March 31, 2026.
Mail to: Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, 30 West Main Street, Suite 309, Riverhead, New York 11901 Attention: Scholarship
Yearly renewal of the scholarship will be based on the following conditions:
1. Maintenance of a minimum GPA of 3.25.
2. The awardee must be majoring in American History and/or American Government.
3. Awardees of the scholarship will be required to volunteer at a local participating historical society to help that society grow. The hours allotted to the project will be determined and records kept by a historical society representative. Examples of acceptable projects might include:
• Website design and maintenance
• Social media presences: including postings for the society on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Docent and tour site interpreter
• Cataloguing
• Digitizing collections
• Transcription of archives
• Historic site restoration and improvements
• General research
• Event volunteering
4. Grades must be submitted to the Foundation after every semester, along with the tuition bill for the next semester before any further payments under the scholarship can be made.
5. A yearly report will be due the last week of July from the student and representative of the participating historical society upon completion of each project submitted for The Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan Scholarship in American History for Gardiner Foundation Board review.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of New York State history, with an emphasis on Suffolk County. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner's Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England. The Foundation's mission is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner's lifelong passion for New York history.
Questions and inquires may be addressed to:
Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
631-594-3990
Spring Grant Cycle
Applications Deadline: March 6, 2026 by 5pm
Funding Decision By: May 15, 2026
Notifications: May 31, 2026
Fall Grant Cycle
Applications Deadline: August 7, 2026 by 5pm
Funding Decision By: November 6, 2026
Notifications: November 26, 2026
The Gardiner Young Scholars Program 2026
This opportunity is available to Long Island historical societies.
It requires the completion of 100 hours of service to a historic society accompanied by a stipend of $1,600.00 to be paid to the Scholar.
Gardiner Youth Scholar candidates are selected at the discretion of the individual historical society which oversees their hours and activities.
Candidates must be between the ages of 15 to 22.
To apply for this RDLGF award organizations must submit a hard copy letter of request along with:
- An IRS determination letter establishing them as a 501c3 (3 year minimum);
- A copy of their mission statement;
At the completion of the GYS term the historical society is required to submit a short video presentation created by the scholar on their experience, along with a time sheet showing the hours worked by the scholar, a letter from the historical society describing the work performed by the scholar and a copy of the cancelled check paying the scholar.
Hard copy requests must be received by July 31, 2026.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street
Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: The Gardiner Young Scholars Program
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
250th Commemoration Grant for 2026
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation has designated $250,000.00 toward funding for educational events commemorating the Semiquincentennial. This offering is open to Nassau and Suffolk County 501 (c) (3) historical societies and history museums. The maximum award of $5,000.00 is limited to one per organization. An application for less than the $5,000.00 is welcome. This award is restricted to one per site. Organizations applying for multiple awards will not be reviewed.
Early submissions for consideration are suggested as there is a cap on the funding to be distributed.
Applications open January 1, 2026 and will be available until the funding has been depleted. Notice of acceptance or denial will be sent upon review.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner is to be acknowledged by physical signage and media outreach (news, social media, etc.) as funders for the event.
Application process: A hard copy letter sent to:
Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: RDLGF 250th
Page One: A brief cover letter from the historical society, which includes: The Mission Statement, a brief history of the organization and the 2026 institutional budget (copy of budget required).
Page Two:
- A brief narrative
- Event description
- Historic educational focus
- Timeline and deliverables for the project
- Marketing strategy for promotion
- Budget to include itemized contracted vender fees and all expenses of the project (written estimates for all line items to be submitted with budget)
Upon approval of the funding request, a date will be assigned for a Final Report.
The Final Report requires a letter from the awardee with an accounting, including documentation of expenses (cancelled checks) and outcome (attendance, media coverage).
The Final Report is to be set to:
Terry Tirado, Executive Assistant
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309
Riverhead, New York 11901
Attention: RDLGF 250th