Beinecke Scholarship
Beinecke Scholarships are need- and merit-based awards of $34,000 for graduate study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
ELIGIBILITY
- Juniors
- U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals
- Documented history of receiving need-based institutional, state, or federal grants-in-aid.
- Planning on a terminal graduate degree (typically the PhD)
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The Beinecke program aims to enable highly motivated students to pursue advanced study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The foundation seeks out students with superior intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise.
Strong candidates are typically planning on earning a PhD in an academic field, although those planning on MFAs are also eligible. Performance majors may be at a disadvantage in this competition, due to the preference for academic breadth.
The strongest applications indicate:
- Excellent academic record
- Breadth of coursework
- Evidence of independent scholarship, research, or creative projects
- Likelihood that the student’s ability to attend graduate school would be significantly enhanced by the award
Beinecke Scholars must utilize the entire scholarship within 5 years of completion of their undergraduate degree.
WEBSITE
https://beineckescholarship.org
HOW TO GET STARTED
Students must apply through OURSD by the required campus deadline in order to be considered for nomination. Carnegie Mellon may only nominate one student to move forward to the national competition.
Make an appointment as early as possible in fall semester with Dr. Paige Zalman, OURSD Associate Director and Beinecke Campus Liaison, or another OURSD advisor in order to discuss your fit with the award.
Applicants are encouraged to received feedback on their draft applications well in advance of the campus deadline.
REQUIRED CAMPUS DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 20, 2025
Required Materials:
- A signed OURSD Scholarship Waiver
- A completed Beinecke application form. The form can be downloaded here: http://fdnweb.org/beinecke/how-to-apply/forms/.
- A personal statement of 1,000 words describing your academic background and interests, plans for graduate study, and career aspirations. Be sure to discuss experiences, such as research/creative inquiry, that have shaped your interests and goals.
- A current résumé
- Transcripts for all colleges and universities attended (unofficial is fine at this stage)
- Three letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant’s academic strength, intellectual curiosity, character, and potential for advanced graduate study. These letters should be from faculty and must be emailed to OURSD by the campus deadline. See our tips for recommenders.
- Beinecke Financial Aid Form (use link provided above in 2.)
After the campus deadline, a committee will review all applications. The nominated applicant will then be notified and guided through the final steps of the application process.
NOMINEE DEADLINE: MARCH 28, 2024 at 12:00pm (noon)
By this date and time, the nominee must submit their final application materials to OURSD. Any updated transcripts or letters of recommendation will also need to be submitted at this time. OURSD will complete your letter of endorsement and submit it with your application by the national deadline.
NATIONAL SELECTION PROCESS
All Beinecke nominees are reviewed by a committee of arts, humanities, and social science faculty from around the country. Final selections are announced by May.