The May 10, 1918, issue of Science announced RC’s first grantee:
“Philip E. Edelman, of St. Paul, Minn., has been awarded the Research Corporation fellowship in applied science on competition by a jury consisting of the president of the National Academy of Sciences, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the president of the American Chemical Society, the president of the Research Corporation and the chairman of the Engineering Foundation, upon evidence of scientific attainments, inventions and special fitness for advanced work. Mr. Edelman is an electrical engineering graduate of University of Minnesota and has served as electrical engineer for radio-communication interests. He is the author of ‘Experimental Wireless Stations’ and other popular technical books, and has since February, 1917, devoted his time principally to research work for the government.”
RC’s first granting effort was not altogether satisfactory. After some disagreement concerning where the research should take place, Edelman began his work at University of Minnesota. But war mobilization efforts soon reached the University, and in January 1918 Edelman informed RC: “Since last writing to you I have learned that the University of Minnesota has contracted to employ its radio equipment for the instruction of Signal Corps recruits beginning with February and that in the meantime the radio station formerly established there remains dismantled, so that the conditions thereat are none too favorable.”
When the U.S. entered World War I, Edelman was drafted into the army and conducted his radio research at the Signal Corps Laboratories. Research Corporation rescinded his Fellowship and began administering its grants program through the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution.