The Foundation will consider proposals from scholars examining the structures and practices of science and technology in any time or place, including but not limited to the historical development of scientific and technological ideas, the social and institutional organization of science and technology, the representation and cultural manifestations of science and technology, and the social, cultural, and intellectual impact of science and technology on the world. 

 These fellowships do not support scientific or technological research. In accordance with the fellowship program's overall goal of supporting early mid-career artists and scholars, applicants should have a promising record of scholarly accomplishment that includes one major project. Note that the fellowship funds are intended mainly to support time for scholarly work; they do not underwrite publication, advertising, or promotional costs.

Howard Foundation Fellowships are awarded through a multi-stage review process that begins with successive rounds of screening by expert panels assembled for each year's fields. Proposals advance through the process based on the collective determination of panelists. To ensure candid assessment, the identities of reviewers are not public. The proposals that panelists collectively judge to be the strongest under the Foundation's award criteria are forwarded to the Foundation's multi-disciplinary Board of Administration, which makes the final selection. 

 The Howard Foundation is committed to supporting artist and scholars of diverse cultural, sexual, and ethnic backgrounds. HF does not discriminate based on the gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or ability/disability of artists, and welcomes work whose content reflects the lived experiences of the applicants.