The Beinecke Scholarship supports highly motivated juniors committed to pursuing research- or creative-focused graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Recipients of the highly competitive grant received $5,000 immediately (prior to graduate school) and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.
If you are a UTK student who is interested in applying for the Beinecke, PLEASE SUBMIT OUR BEINECKE INTEREST FORM or email urf@utk.edu, and we will get in touch with you.
Beinecke 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Beinecke applicants must be nominated by their undergraduate institution (UTK). Each nominating institution can send forward one candidate per year for consideration. To be eligible for nomination consideration, applicants must:
- Demonstrate superior “intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise” as undergraduates. This includes a strong GPA (usually above a 3.8), presentations/publications/performances, and engagement in the field of choice
- Be an undergraduate junior in 2025-2026 (plans to continue full time until graduation between December 2026 to August 2027
- Intend to pursue a research- or creative-focused master’s of doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences (neuroscience and clinical psychology are not eligible fields)
- Be a US citizen or US national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Have a documented history of eligibility for need-based financial aid during their undergraduate careers, with a small preference for Pell-Grant eligible students; a Financial Aid Data Sheet will be required