The Dresher Center for the Humanities invites applications for one Graduate Student Research Fellowships for Fall 2026.
Applications are due September 15, 2026 by 11:59pm
Funding is intended to support and promote promising research in the humanities by graduate students at UMBC. The fellowships are open only to M.A. and PhD level students working on humanities-related research projects that will culminate in a dissertation or master’s thesis.
Fellows will receive up to $3,000 ($1,500 can serve as a stipend while the other $1,500 should be used for research travel, materials, or other directly-related research expenses).
They will present a session as part of the CURRENTS: Humanities Work Now series and attend the Humanities Forum and other Dresher Center events and workshops. The Dresher Center will allow fellows to work in Center office space, as available.
After the fellowship semester, fellows will submit a summary of the work accomplished during the semester, as well as a statement on the progress made toward the completion of their dissertation or thesis.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Dresher Center Advisory Board.
Application requirements:
- Title Page (Title of proposal and applicant’s name and department)
- Summary (150 words or less): The summary should be written in non-technical language. Please keep in mind that all reviewers may not be experts in your field.
- Proposal Narrative: Include a clear and concise statement of the specific aims and intellectual significance of the proposed project, including a statement about its humanities focus; Explain how the project will complement, challenge, or expand relevant studies in the field; Describe the research method(s) and clarify the part or stage of the project that the fellowship will support; Provide a statement about the ability of the student to carry out the project work during the fellowship term, and is in good standing who is making adequate progress towards the degree; Likelihood that the dissertation or thesis will move significantly toward completion during the fellowship term or shortly thereafter.
Maximum three single-spaced pages. Proposal narratives exceeding three pages will not be considered. - Bibliography (maximum one single-spaced page)
- C.V. (abridged to focus on research and scholarly accomplishments; not to exceed two single-spaced pages)
- Letter of support: Paragraph- long recommendation from the student’s research advisor can be sent as a separate email to dreshercenter@umbc.edu
Please contact dreshercenter@umbc.edu if you have any questions.