The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) – led by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship (OURF) – has achieved a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to supporting student excellence across a diverse array of academic fields.
For the first time, UT has been recognized as a nominating institution for both the Churchill Scholarship and the Beinecke Scholarship, and will start accepting applications for each award in Fall 2024.
Each scholarship is designed to support exceptional students in specific fields of study, the Churchill in science, mathematics, and engineering and the Beinecke in arts, humanities, and social sciences.
This recognition allows UT to nominate outstanding students for these prestigious awards while also showing:
- A commitment to academic excellence
- A university-wide dedication to fostering a diverse and dynamic academic community
- A focus on promoting excellence in STEM, arts, humanities, and social sciences
“We are honored and excited to now have the opportunity to nominate students for the Churchill and Beinecke Scholarships,” said OURF Director Meredith Malburne-Wade. “While the support they provide is different, each of these scholarships supports exceptional students pursuing graduate-level education as they make their mark on the world. We are excited to help Vols find their pathways forward, and we’re delighted to talk to students about their interests in these (and other) national and international opportunities.”
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A New Era of Opportunities for UT Students
The Beinecke Scholarship focuses on the arts, humanities, and social sciences, encouraging students to pursue graduate education in these areas. It provides significant financial support, which helps alleviate the burden of graduate school expenses and allows students to focus on their academic and professional development.
The Churchill Scholarship, on the other hand, is dedicated to students in science, mathematics, and engineering. It promotes advanced study at the University of Cambridge, fostering international collaboration and innovation in these critical fields. The scholarship covers a range of expenses, including tuition, travel, and living costs, ensuring that recipients can fully immerse themselves in their studies and research.
Churchill Scholarship: Advancing STEM Excellence
The Churchill Scholarship, established at the behest of Sir Winston Churchill, aims to strengthen the US-UK partnership by advancing science and technology. The scholarship is awarded to 18 students annually, including 16 Churchill Scholarships in science, mathematics, and engineering, and two Kanders Churchill Scholarships in science policy.
This scholarship funds one year of Master’s study at the University of Cambridge, covering tuition, roundtrip airfare, visa fees, health surcharge, and a stipend that exceeds the UK Research Council standard by 5%. Additionally, recipients can apply for a $4,000 special research grant, making the total value of the award approximately $65,000.
The Churchill Scholarship offers two paths: the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and the Master of Advanced Study (MASt). The MPhil is a research-intensive degree culminating in a thesis and oral examination, while the MASt involves lectures, written exams, and an optional short research paper. This scholarship not only provides financial support but also positions recipients at the forefront of scientific and technological research.
Beinecke Scholarship: Fostering Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 to honor the Beinecke family’s commitment to supporting young men and women of exceptional promise in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Since its inception, the program has selected 739 college juniors from 122 undergraduate institutions for support during their graduate studies. The scholarship provides $5,000 prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 during graduate studies, with no geographic restrictions on its use.
The Beinecke Scholarship aims to encourage highly motivated students to pursue graduate studies in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, offering them the financial support needed to explore and excel in these fields. Financial need is a consideration for this scholarship, ensuring that talented students from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals.
About OURF
The Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (OURF) supports UT students in their pursuit of undergraduate research, nationally competitive fellowships, and creative activity. We fund undergraduate research year-round, offer topical workshops, and coordinate campus-wide exhibitions.
We also provide direct advising services designed to help students identify and pursue pathways into research and other high-impact experiences, and to encourage and support students to leverage their academic and co-curricular experiences to apply for nationally competitive opportunities. In all our work we seek to support strong mentoring relationships between students and faculty.