Preservation Scholars Program Application

Application Due Date

The online application, a resume, two letters of reference, and unofficial transcript(s) must be submitted online by 11:59PM, February 20, 2026 for your application to be considered. Selected students will be contacted for an interview in March. An official, mailed transcript may be required if selected for the internship.

Please read the all instructions and application information carefully.

Instructions

  1. Review the Texas Historical Commission’s WEBSITE for information about its programs and historic sites.
  2. Review list of Preservation Scholar projects available in 2026. VIEW PROJECTS LIST HERE.
  3. Submit online application. The application form must be completed all at once and will require you to attach unofficial transcripts.
  4. REFERENCES: Once the online application is submitted, share THIS FORM with your referees to submit two letters of reference online. Referees may be contacted as needed.

An official, mailed transcript will be required if selected for the internship.  Please contact us with any questions about the application process or forms.

Program Information

The Preservation Scholars Program seeks to introduce students to the broad range of skills and professions applicable within the field of historic preservation. The work of the Texas Historical Commission is comprised of three broad areas; preservation programs, historic sites, and operations.

Preservation Programs

Preservation programs includes the Archeology Division which works to identify, protect, and preserve Texas’ irreplaceable archeological heritage; the Architecture Division, dedicated to protecting Texas’ diverse architectural heritage; the Community Heritage Development Division, which acts in partnership with communities and regions to revitalize historic areas, stimulate tourism and encourage economic development through the use of preservation strategies, and the History Programs Division which provides preservation assistance to local governments, state and federal agencies, the state’s 254 county historical commissions, nonprofit preservation organizations, volunteers, students, educators, and the general public.

Historic Sites

Historic Sites is responsible for operating 43 historic properties throughout the state. This includes history and interpretation, business operations at the sites, and museum services and education. All of these sites tell the real stories of Texas history in authentic settings. Headquarters staff members provide assistance to field staff in architecture, archeology, collections management, interpretation, and marketing.

Operations 

THC Operations include the Marketing & Public Affairs Division which promotes the agency’s programs and projects and develops outreach strategies to increase awareness of the agency’s mission and purpose; the IT Division, which manages the information systems and technology infrastructure of the agency headquarters and historic site; Human Resources; and the Finance and Accounting and Procurement & Contract Services Divisions, all of which handle the day-to-day business operations for the agency.

The Friends of the Texas Historical Commission is the non-profit partner to the agency and raises philanthropic support for the THC’s projects and programs.

Preservation Scholars Program Application 2026

Personal Information

Please indicate gender and preferred pronouns below:
U.S. Citizen?(Required)
Permanent U.S. Resident?(Required)
Texas Resident?(Required)
Please note: Sometimes emails from the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission may arrive in your junk or spam folders. Please watch these folders for communications from us.
Please note: You may be contacted via text message regarding your application.
Are you a first generation college student?(Required)
A first generation student is defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree.
Are you a non-traditional student?(Required)
A non-traditional student is defined as a student who meets any of the following characteristics: is over the age of 24, is a parent, is a veteran.
How did you learn of this internship?(Required)

Current Address(Required)
Please provide your current address (where you go to school)
Permanent Address
Please provide a permanent address (if at an out-of-state school).
Ethnicity/Heritage-Required Field(Required)

School Information

Student Status:(Required)
Please note, if you have been accepted to graduate school but have not yet begun your program, please select "Current Graduate Student." Upload proof of acceptance below.
If you have been accepted to graduate school but have not yet begun, please upload proof of acceptance. An email or letter of acceptance will suffice. Files must be less than 2 MB. Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png pdf doc docx.
Max. file size: 2 MB.

Undergraduate Information

Please enter the full name of your undergraduate university or college
A minimum of 50 credit hours required in order to be eligible to apply.
A GPA of 3.0 or higher required to be eligible to apply.
Please enter your major as declared.
Enter all applicable minors, or choose N/A if not applicable.
Actual or estimated date of graduation.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Graduate School Information

If you are a current graduate student, please complete this section. If you are not a current graduate student, skip this section.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Background Information

The goal of the Preservation Scholars Program is to increase the diversity of professionals working in the field of historic preservation so that the stories of the many of cultures that enrich Texas’ heritage can be fully told and a wider range of communities can be engaged in supporting preservation efforts. If you are selected for this internship, what cultural perspectives and background will you bring to your position? This is a good opportunity to talk about your lived experience and how that experience contributes to your goals, attitudes, and career interests. (max. 500 words)
Historic preservation encompasses many efforts – community heritage, archaeology, oral history, architectural preservation, and the preservation, conservation, and protection of objects, landscapes, traditions, or other artifacts both tangible and intangible of historical significance. What interests you personally about history and historic preservation? (max. 250 words)
What skills will you be able to bring to this internship? How will these skills enhance your work as an intern, and on a larger scale, enhance the work of the Texas Historical Commission? These can be skills you've gained through professional experience, school, or personal experience – for example, technical skills such as Photoshop or GIS, communication skills such as strong writing and editing, research skills, project management skills, or more general skills such as time management and work ethic. Use this opportunity to share any information about your personal or academic background that you think might shed additional light on your candidacy as a Preservation Scholar. (max. 250 words)
What do you hope to learn or gain from this internship? This is an opportunity for you to explain how you see this internship impacting your future. For example, you might talk about how you hope this internship will give you a chance to see if a career in historic preservation is really for you, or perhaps you hope this internship will help you decide on some career goals. Whatever it is you hope to gain from this internship, detail that here.

Project Selections

Please note: it is VERY IMPORTANT that you read the "Projects List" document linked in item 2 in the Instructions at the top of this application. Project selection is not guaranteed but helps us inform placement in your internship. PLEASE NOTE: Your project selections do not have to be based on your academic or work experience and qualifications. For example, if you are particularly interested in an archeology or heritage travel related project, but have no experience in either field, just explain what about this particular project excites you. PROJECT SELECTION IS NOT GUARANTEED but helps us inform placement in your internship.
Briefly explain why you are interested in this project. This may include skills you might bring to the project, or learning objectives you have that might be fulfilled by this project. This helps us inform placement in your internship. (max. 250 words)
Briefly explain why you are interested in this project. This may include skills you might bring to the project, or learning objectives you have that might be fulfilled by this project. This helps us inform placement in your internship. (max. 250 words)
Briefly explain why you are interested in this project. This may include skills you might bring to the project, or learning objectives you have that might be fulfilled by this project. This helps us inform placement in your internship. (max. 250 words)
In-Person and Remote Internships(Required)
Please note that most internships will be in-person. Please indicate whether you would be able to participate in the program in person, remotely, or hybrid.
Attach a curriculum vitae or résumé. Include scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards and publications. Also, if English is not your native language, describe the level of your proficiency in reading, conversing, and writing in English. Files must be less than 10 MB. Allowed file types: pdf doc docx
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.
UNOFFICIAL transcripts from appropriate institutions must be submitted with this application form. List the colleges or universities from which you are submitting transcripts. If selected for the internship, you will be required to submit an official copy of your transcript. Files must be less than 2 MB. Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.
Unofficial transcripts from appropriate institutions must be submitted with this application form. List the colleges or universities from which you are submitting transcripts. If selected for the internship, you will be required to submit an official copy of your transcript. Files must be less than 2 MB. Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 2 MB.
Do you have any relatives affiliated with the agency? If yes, please list name(s) and relationship(s).
Confirmation of Program Timeline(Required)
The Preservation Scholars internship for 2026 begins on June 1, 2026 and ends on August 7, 2026. The internship is a FULL-TIME position, 40 hours a week for 10 weeks. Are you able to commit fully to the internship duration?

Confirmation of Required Materials(Required)
Your application to the Preservation Scholars Program is NOT complete until we have received two letters of recommendation. These letters should be written by individuals who are familiar with you and your work, either in the academic environment or in the workplace. You must send your recommenders the link in the confirmation email, which you will receive after you submit your application.

Statement of Intent

By clicking submit, I indicate that I understand I am applying to the 2024 Preservation Scholars Program and I confirm that all information submitted is correct as stated. I have read the application instructions and, if selected, I agree to comply with all THC policies, procedures and employment requirements.