Beinecke Scholarship

• Be a college junior. "Junior" means a student who plans to continue full-time undergraduate study during the application academic year and expects to receive a baccalaureate degree between December and August following application.
• Plan to enter a research- or creative-focused master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities or social sciences. Students in the social sciences who plan to pursue graduate study in neuroscience should not apply for a Beinecke Scholarship; nor should students applying for professional degrees that emphasize skills and practical analysis such as business, law, public health, public policy, and social work.
• 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, with a strong preference for Pell Grant recipients.

• $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school
• Additional $30,000 while attending graduate school. There are no geographic restrictions on the use of the scholarship, although scholars should know that there is no guarantee that institutions outside of the U.S. will accept Beinecke funding.
• Recipients are allowed to supplement the award with other scholarships, assistantships and research grants.
• Scholars are encouraged to begin graduate study as soon as possible following graduation from college, and must utilize all of the funding within six years of completion of undergraduate studies and and within five years of beginning graduate studies.

Endorsement applications are assessed on the following metrics:

• Academic achievement and preparation: prerequisite knowledge and skills; recognized intellect and academic excellence; preparedness to undertake graduate study
• Scholarly focus strength and match to graduate program of study: creativity and originality; impact; connection with course of study, precious work, career goals
• Extracurricular engagement: alignment between activities and fields of proposed study
• Recommendation letter: evidence of candidate's capability, expertise in relevant academic fields
• Financial need: as demonstrated through need-based awards, grants, scholarships, etc.
• Background and preparation: requisite skills for success in country and with proposed activities

Harvard is able to nominate one student. After the endorsement process, the nominee submits their materials in time for the national deadline.

To be considered for Harvard's nomination for this opportunity, please submit the following materials via the application portal by our internal deadline.

• Application Form: Complete the Beinecke Application Form (linked here and within the Harvard University Funding Portal).
• Financial Aid Data Sheet: The Financial Aid Data Sheet is also available within the Harvard University Funding Portal.
• Resume/CV: Indicate significant activities, achievements, and work experiences that demonstrate your interests and potential achievements. Resume should include short descriptions of your role and any specific ways you've contributed within listed activities. One to two pages.
• Unofficial transcript: Download a current unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu.
• Statement: This statement should describe the applicant's 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. Should not exceed 1,000 words.
• Artist's Supplement: Candidates who wish to pursue an MFA degree must submit an artist’s supplement:
  • Creative writers: a maximum of five pages of double-spaced text, though playwrights, poets, and screenwriters should submit the text in the format appropriate to the genre (i.e., not double-spaced, if inappropriate).
  • Visual artists (except filmmakers): a digital portfolio containing up to ten images of current work, with an image resolution of at least 300 dpi.
  • Performing artists (including filmmakers): video sample(s) no longer than five minutes in total.
• Three letters of recommendation: All three letters should ideally be from faculty members who know you and your area of proposed study well. They should comment on your intellectual curiosity, potential for advanced graduate study, and character. Solicit these letters via the Reference Request sections in the application portal.

Applicants must first apply for endorsement through Harvard. Harvard can only endorse one applicant for this opportunity. After that selection, the endorsee will submit a final application to the Beinecke Scholarship directly in late March. Awards are made in late April or May.