Office of Fellowships Beinecke Overview

Who is eligible?

An applicant must have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement and personal promise during their undergraduate career (a GPA of at least 3.7 is expected); be a college junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree (“junior” means a student who plans to continue full-time undergraduate study and who expects to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2023 and August 2024); plan to enter a research-based master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences no later than one year after graduation from college; have a history of demonstrated financial need; be a United States citizen or a United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; have a documented history of receiving need-based financial aid during his or her undergraduate years. (Scholars who receive an NSF, Ford, Rhodes, Gates or similar cholarship may postpone receipt of the Beinecke funding within the five-year period following graduation. Truman Scholars cannot also accept the Beinecke.)

Does this application require endorsement by the college?

Yes.

How much funding is awarded and how can I use it?

Beinecke scholars receive a total of $34,000 in support. An initial payment of $4,000 is awarded directly to the student prior to their entering graduate school. This payment is intended to offset expenses related to the graduate application process and to pay for any travel expenses directly related to the start of graduate school. While in graduate school, Beinecke scholars receive an additional $30,000 in support. These funds are awarded as a supplement to support provided by the graduate school and may be spread over five years to comply with institutional limits on the total amount of a student's annual award. In the absence of institutional support or limits, scholars may receive a maximum award of $15,000 per year. These funds are sent directly to the financial aid officer of the institution where the student is enrolled and are disbursed in accordance with the scholarship policy of the academic instition.

Who from Amherst has won this award?

Since 2012, four Amherst students have been selected as Beinecke Scholars. As you think about your own candidacy, read applications from some of our recent winners.

• Gillan Chalono '23
• Enoch Shin '21
• Yvonne Green '17
• Keri Lambert '13

What is the Beinecke history and mission?

Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke were born in New York City in the late 1880's, linked from their earliest years by a deep affection, shared interests, and complementary, though different talents and personalities. Together they assumed the leadership of The Sperry and Hutchinson Company in the 1920’s and it grew from a small enterprise to a Fortune 500 company by 1975. The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, given to Yale University by them and their families in 1963, stands as a symbol of the bond that persisted among them. William Sperry Beinecke, the eldest son of Frederick, served the company until 1980. An ardent advocate for business support of charitable and educational institutions, he guided the creation of the foundation that is now The Sperry Fund. In 1971, at his request, the Sperry and Hutchinson board established the Beinecke Scholarship Program in memory of Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. Since 1975, Beinecke Scholarships have awarded substantial scholarships for young people of exceptional promise for graduate study.