What is the Beinecke Scholarship?

Internal Deadline:

February 15, 2024 at 12:00 PM 

Contact the Office of Fellowships for support at least one month before this deadline.

Beinecke Scholarships support pursuit of a research-based master's or doctoral degree anywhere in the world in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Law, business, or professional school programs (such as social work, journalism, clinical psychology, neuroscience, or architecture, for instance) are not included. Beinecke scholars are selected from among approximately 125 students nominated by participating undergraduate institutions. About 18 scholarships are awarded annually. Wondering how to pronounce "Beinecke"? It's BY-NECK-EE.


Award Details

A woman writing on paper in front of a computer

How do I apply and what do I need?

Please visit our Beinecke Application Steps page for instructions on how to apply, details about application components including essays, recommenders, deadlines for submission, and information about the selection process.

Information for Recommenders

Beinecke candidates should have clearly defined academics interests and potential for graduate study. Selectors are interested in assessing the nominee's intellectual curiosity, character, and potential for advanced graduate study. Recommendation letters which speak to a candidate's ability for achievement within their graduate program will be most helpful. If you have been asked to write a recommendation letter for a Beinecke candidate you may find our Suggestions for Recommendation Writers to be helpful. Beinecke asks recommenders to respond to these questions in their letters:

  1. How does the candidate's academic ability compare to their peers?
  2. Why is the candidate's focus of research unique or important?
  3. How is the candidate particularly well-suited to pursue this research?
  4. Why are the graduate schools identified by the candidate a good fit for their interests?

Format and submission: Letters should be typed, entered on institutional letterhead, and signed, then sent via email to Christine Overstreet, Director of Fellowships at coverstreet@amherst.edu by February 15, 2024. Please do not send locked/secured letters. 


Have questions? Please contact us.

Christine Overstreet, Director of Fellowships
212 Converse Hall
413-542-2536
coverstreet@amherst.edu

Eric Myers, Associate Director of Fellowships
213 Converse Hall
413-542-5079
ermyers@amherst.edu

Physical address: 100 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002

Mailing Address: AC #2214, PO Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002