Are you a junior planning to pursue graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social studies? Do you have an outstanding academic record? Do you have a high degree of financial need?
The Beinecke Scholarship program provides graduate study scholarships to JUNIORS of exceptional, demonstrated academic ability who plan to pursue research-based master’s or PhD programs in the arts, humanities, or social sciences after graduation. “Junior” means a student who plans to continue full-time undergraduate study in fall 2026 and who expects to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2026 and August 2027. The University of Maryland may nominate one individual to compete nationally.
FIELDS OF STUDY: The Beinecke program is open to students planning research-oriented master’s and PhD studies in any field in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Professionally-oriented degree programs ARE NOT supported.
FINANCIAL NEED: Candidates for nomination by the University of Maryland should be able to demonstrate significant financial need as indicated through the FAFSA.
Who may apply: To be eligible for the Beinecke Scholarship nomination, a student must:
- Have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement and personal promise during his or her undergraduate career. Generally, a minimum GPA of 3.7 will be required for nomination; exceptions may be made in extraordinary cases.
- Be a college junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree during the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Have firm plans to enter a master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences after graduation.
- Be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Have significant financial need as determined by FASFA.
Award Amount: Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.
Duration: Scholars must utilize all funding within five years of graduation.
Campus Deadline: February 13, 2026. This is the deadline for submitting a complete draft of the Beinecke application and one letter of recommendation to be considered for University of Maryland, College Park nomination.
Interested in Learning More?
Please contact Dr. Leslie Brice Bustamante at lbrice@umd.edu.
Website: www.beineckescholarship.org
Read about Onkeya Arah, 2024 Beinecke Scholar
Attached Documents: Please find information required for campus nomination AND recommender advice. If you plan to apply for nomination, send your recommender the advice document.
