Humanities New York and its nine partner universities, comprising the Humanities Centers Initiative, invite proposals from graduate students in support of their efforts to establish themselves as public scholars and develop public projects.
Interested applicants should submit proposals for projects that incorporate humanities topics and methods, and which are public-facing in a substantial way: intended for public audiences, engaging members of the public as collaborators, and/or partnering with community groups. Projects of any format or type will be considered, including but not limited to workshops, podcasts, exhibits, walking tours, oral histories, and others. They may be underway or still in development, but the applying graduate student must be a project director.
In addition to funding in support of the project, all awarded fellows will participate in Humanities New York grantee cohorts, which provide the opportunity to meet and converse with public humanities professionals across New York State, as well as receive invitations to Humanities New York workshops, gatherings, and events.
To Apply
All proposals must be submitted through Humanities New York’s online portal: https://humanitiesnewyork.my.site.com. Applicants must create an account in advance of applying.
Applicants are asked to submit the following materials:
An abstract of the project (100 word limit)A description of the project (500 word limit)
A brief biographical list of project partners and collaborators (250 word limit)
A short project plan with projected dates (250 word limit)
A project budget, using the template provided in the application
The CV of the project director and their key collaborators, if applicable.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled as a graduate student at one of these nine universities at the time of application: CUNY Graduate Center, Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, Binghamton University, University of Rochester, or Syracuse University.
Grant Award and Requirements
The grant is for $4,000, paid in two installments: 90% upon award, and the final 10% upon submission of a final report. The award period begins on July 1, 2025, and fellows have up to one year to expend funds. Fellows are required to submit a final report after the completion of the award period.
Funding may be spent on travel expenses, consultant fees, wages for labor, participant honoraria, marketing, venue space, project materials, and media costs, among other things. If you have a question about what costs can be covered, please contact HNY.
All proposals must be submitted by March 31, 2025. Applicants will be informed of decisions by May 31, 2025.
Learn More
Humanities New York will hold information sessions about this opportunity on Friday, January 24th at 11am, and on Tuesday, February 5th at 4pm.
Both will be held virtually. Please use the links above to register, or contact Humanities New York.
Contact
Humanities New York Director of Programs Adam Capitanio (programs@humanitiesny.org)
About
The mission of Humanities New York is to strengthen civil society and the bonds of community, using the humanities to foster engaged inquiry and dialogue around social and cultural concerns. Founded in 1975, Humanities New York is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and is the sole statewide proponent of public access to the humanities. HNY is a private 501(c)3 that receives Federal, State, and private funding.
The Humanities Centers Initiative is an innovative statewide partnership between Humanities New York and a network of humanities centers based at nine New York State universities. Launched in 2012 and supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Whiting Foundation, the HCI supports humanities institutes, faculty, and graduate students in their commitment to public engagement.