Beinecke Scholarship

Seven people seated around a round table having a conversation outside on campus

The Beinecke Scholarship provides personalized mentoring and up to $34,000 towards graduate studies for students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

This is a nomination-required opportunity, which means you must apply for and win the campus nomination before you can compete at the national level. This page walks through all instructions for both the campus and national competitions. You may begin the process at any time after the national application portal opens. 

Please contact the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships at curf@ku.edu with questions.

Selection Criteria

Eligible students must have:

  • Demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate career.
  • Junior status, as determined by time left to graduation.
  • U.S. citizenship or national status from American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • A documented history of financial need
  • A plan to pursue masters or doctoral degrees in arts, humanities, or social sciences (excluding neuroscience or counseling/clinical psychology).

KU may nominate one student per year. Up to 20 students will receive the award nationally.

Step 1: Apply for the Campus Nomination

Students wanting to be considered for the national competition must submit their application in the Beinecke Scholarship Canvas portal. Email curf@ku.edu to receive access to Canvas. Only applications received through Canvas will be considered.

Deadline: Mid-February (exact date in Canvas)

Notification of nomination: Late February/ Early March

Required materials to submit to Canvas:

  • Resume or CV.
  • Personal Statement. 1,000 words or less devoted to describing your research or creative interests for graduate study and career aspirations beyond these studies; it should also include a discussion of the most relevant academic, professional, extracurricular, and personal experiences that have influenced or shaped your interests and plans.
  • List of prior need-based awards. This includes Pell Grant, McNair, Emerging Scholars, etc. that demonstrate financial need.
  • Three recommendation letters. You must have your letter writers submit these via the campus online letters of recommendation form by the deadline.
  • Student Academic Summary. You may also upload unofficial transcripts from other schools as needed.
  • Financial Aid Data Sheet.
     

Step 2: Apply for the national competition

Once you are nominated by KU, staff and faculty from CURF will work with you to improve your application materials for the national competition. Only complete these materials if you have been nominated.

Deadline: Late March

Notification of acceptance: ByJune 1st, 2027

Required materials:

Helpful Resources