Applications Now Closed.
The University of Pittsburgh Humanities Center is pleased to invite applications for Undergraduate Fellowships to be taken in 2024. All Pitt undergrads are invited to apply for this fellowship. In addition to the general fellowships, there is an additional specific fellowship opportunity this year. The David C. Frederick Honors College has made it possible to offer a further fellowship to a Pitt Honors College student. We hope to offer six fellowships overall: five general fellowships open to all, and one further fellowship for an Honors College student.
The goal of these fellowships is (a) to support humanities research by undergraduates at Pitt, (b) to connect them with the multidisciplinary networks of the Humanities Center, and (c) to assist them in securing further fellowship or grant support for the research questions they wish to pursue.
These fellowships have three core components: a three-credit seminar in Spring 2024 in which students receive an introduction to humanities research methods and develop a humanities research project, a research experience in Summer 2024 supported by a $5000 stipend, and a second three-credit seminar in Fall 2024 in which fellows craft a research outcome. Each seminar will be led by one of the Humanities Center Co-Directors, Carla Nappi and David Marshall. The program will also connect all fellows with a mentor who has experience in the relevant field of inquiry.
Eligibility. Successful applicants for the general fellowship must be undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. To be considered for the Honors College fellowship, a student should indicate that on their application and must be accepted into an Honors degree program. All fellows commit to participation in both the Spring and Fall seminars, which will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.30-2 pm. For any queries regrading the timing and location of the seminars, contact us at humctr@pitt.edu. You may indicate that you're already working with a faculty mentor on the proposed project, but this is not a prerequisite for application, and we are very happy to match you with a mentor through the program.
Application Requirements. Applications for a Humanities Center Undergraduate Fellowship must include the following:
- A narrative describing what draws you to the fellowship. Why are you interested in learning about and pursuing humanities research? Do you have a particular set of interests or materials in mind that you’d like to explore? Is there a class that brought your attention to some of the artifacts you want to look at more closely? Are there particular questions that drive you to pursue research in the humanities? (no more than 600 words);
- A brief statement on how you and your interests will contribute to the Humanities Center’s goal of fostering a multidisciplinary humanities environment incorporating a diversity of experiences, identities, and disciplines (no more than 300 words);
- A brief statement on whether you'll be applying for other research fellowships (and if so which ones), and whether you have received funding support for a humanities research project in the past;
- A current academic transcript that includes a list of courses already taken (this can be either an official or an unofficial transcript);
- If you wish to be considered for the Honors College fellowship, please confirm that you have been admitted into an Honors College degree program in your application.
Selection Criteria. Applications will be assessed by the Co-Directors of the Humanities Center relative to the following criteria:
- The clarity and thoughtfulness of the narrative statement;
- The likelihood that the fellow and the project would contribute to a multidisciplinary humanities environment incorporating a diversity of experiences, identities, and disciplines;
- The potential impact of the fellowship on the applicant's ability to undertake research in the humanities;
- The scholarly record of the applicant;
- The potential impact of the research project on disciplinary, academic, and/or non-university audiences.
Deadline. Applications must be submitted by Monday, October 23, 2023.
Submission. Apply here!
Questions. For any questions, please contact us at humctr@pitt.edu.