Humanistic inquiry at UCLA covers a breadth of fields, from philosophy to musicology to languages from every part of the world. Programs in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts teach students to articulate their thoughts with clarity and imagination, and to interpret the world of ideas with informed sensitivity in preparation for a culturally rich life as informed and humane citizens.
The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Graduate Research Awards Program aims to offer summer support for individual or collaborative graduate student research and creative activity. This innovative new program will select a cohort of Keck Graduate Fellows on the cutting edge of their field with proposals that advance humanistic inquiry.
Keck Graduate Fellows will receive a stipend of $8,000, lump sum, for the duration of the summer quarter, to support their proposed research/creative activity. If a group of students is applying under one research proposal, an award would be shared equally among the recipients. An important component of the program is supervision from a ladder faculty mentor who can provide the Fellow(s) intellectual support and constructive feedback during the term of the award. Faculty mentors who sponsor successful proposals will receive $1,000 in research funds for fulfilling this commitment.
Keck Graduate Fellows will be required to report on the research/creative activity completed during the award period and will also be expected to take part in professional opportunities to present their research. Fellows may be asked to present their research at UCLA.
This exciting new opportunity is thanks to the W.M. Keck Foundation. Established in 1954 in Los Angeles, the Keck Foundation is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations. In recent years, the Foundation has focused on Science and Engineering Research; Medical Research; Undergraduate Education; and Southern California. Each of its grant programs invests in people and programs that are making a difference in the quality of life, now and for the future.
Eligibility: Enrolled graduate students, must be enrolled in Spring 2024, who will have completed at least one year of graduate study by the time of the award from any of the following programs on campus: the Division of Humanities; the Division of Social Sciences; the International Institute; Luskin School of Public Affairs; the School of Education and Information Studies; the School of Arts and Architecture; the School of Theater, Film, and Television; and the Herb Alpert School of Music. Students must be conducting humanistic research/ creative activity for this award. Students must be in good academic standing, 3.0 GPA or above. Must not be graduating Spring 2024; may graduate or be on filing fee in Fall 2024.
Deadline: March 1st, 2024 via the online submission form for students, SUBMISSIONS FOR 2024 CLOSED. Faculty will be sent an email to upload their letter to a secure BOX folder once applicant (s) submits, or can email letter to: bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu and mwong@humnet.ucla.edu by March 8th, 2024
Announcement of Keck Graduate Fellow awardees for Summer 2024: May 13th
Award Period: July 2024- September 2024
Submission Documents:
- Research Proposal with a timeline of work to be completed; no longer than four pages, double spaced, 12 pt, 1-inch margins. The research/creative activity can be related to dissertation or thesis work but does not have to be. Please also provide a short abstract of this proposal no longer then 250 words along with a title of the proposed research/ creative activity.
- CV; if a group project, provide CVs for all applicants.
- Statement of projected research costs (can be used for living expenses*); please include other forms of support that have been secured for the award period.
- Short Bio of applicant(s).
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor who has agreed to mentor this research/ creative activity.
* Please click here for applicant budget guidelines.
Publicizing Awardees: The name, home department, and a short bio of Keck Graduate Fellows may be published on the UCLA Humanities website, or in its publications. Awardees who do not want their information shared should indicate that on the online submission form.