DEADLINES
UW-Madison deadline: January 19, 2023
Foundation deadline: February 8, 2023 (4:00 p.m. CT)
*Candidates must be nominated by UW–Madison and may not apply directly. Students interested in applying should contact the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office for more information about the application process. Contact: 608-265-2428, awards@provost.wisc.edu
DESCRIPTION
The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 to provide scholarships for the graduate education of young men and women of exceptional promise. Eligibility is limited to students planning to pursue a a research-focused master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Approximately 20 scholarships are awarded each year.
AWARD
Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately before entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending any accredited graduate school. Recipients are allowed to supplement the scholarship with other awards, and must utilize all of the funding within five years of completion of undergraduate studies.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for a Beinecke Scholarship, a student must:
- Be a college junior who is enrolled full-time and expects to graduate between December 2023 and August 2024
- Be a United States citizen or a United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Plan to enter a research-based or creative graduate program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences (NOT: JD, MD, MPH, MPP, MBA, MAT, etc.)
- Have a documented history of receiving (or being eligible to receive) need-based financial aid
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Clarity of research/creative focus (including undergraduate research experience or creative work)
- Evidence of academic background that is strong and relevant
- Knowledge of proposed graduate courses
- Quality and breadth of recommendation letters
- Financial need (“candidates for whom the awarding of a scholarship would increase the likelihood of the student’s being able to attend graduate school”)
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Submit a complete campus application to the UAA Office by the campus deadline (see section below).
- The campus nomination committee reviews applications and selects one nominee to compete nationally.
- The nominee may revise their application materials before the national deadline in mid- to late February.
- Scholars are announced in May.
CAMPUS NOMINATION PROCESS
Please submit the following materials via email by 4:30 p.m. on the campus deadline to the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office, awards@provost.wisc.edu.
- Application Form. Please download and complete.
- Personal Statement of 1,000 words or less describing your background, interests, plans for graduate study and career aspirations. The statement should include a discussion of some experiences and ideas that have shaped those interests, plans and aspirations. (Sample essays are available at this BOX link.)
- Résumé listing research experience, internships, honors/awards/publications, community service, and work experience. Please also include a section listing the names, titles and email addresses of the three individuals writing letters of recommendation on your behalf.
- Transcript(s) from all colleges attended (for the campus competition an unofficial transcript or a copy of your UW-Madison student record is fine, as are photocopies of transcripts from other institutions).
- Financial Aid Data Sheet. Please download and complete.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors. Letters should assess your intellectual curiosity, character and potential for advanced graduate study. Please ask your recommenders to email letters to awards@provost.wisc.edu. The letters must be received by the campus due date.
BEINECKE FOUNDATION WEBSITE
For official information on the Beinecke Scholarship (which supersedes any information provided here), please see the Beinecke Foundation website.
RESOURCES
Beinecke Scholarship Webinar December 9, 2021
Definition of a Personal Statement
Previous Beinecke Scholars