Amherst Folger Humanities Fellowship

The Amherst Folger Humanities Fellowship offers Amherst graduates with a passion for the humanities the opportunity to launch their career with nine months of full-time work at two outstanding cultural institutions—the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library & Collection. 

Designed to serve graduates looking to explore the broad range of roles within cultural institutions, libraries & archives, and museums & collections, the Fellowship features:

• full-time project-based work and independent research that makes meaningful contributions to institutional initiatives. 
• mentorship from supervisors and program staff that ensures fellows are building core skills in the field, in addition to skills that are highly-valued in any industry.
• professional development opportunities that are baked into every aspect of the fellowship experience and are shaped by the fellow’s evolving interests and goals.
• network-building connections to professionals working across D.C.’s pre-eminent scholarly and cultural institutions.

ASSIGNMENTS
In consultation with the selected fellow, supervisors will determine project and research assignments that best support the fellow’s professional and intellectual goals, as well as the ongoing initiatives of their mentors at the Folger and Dumbarton Oaks. 

Assignments may include hands-on work in curation and exhibit preparation, research and publication, collection development or conservation, marketing and communication, or education and public outreach initiatives. The Fellow will split their nine month assignment equally between both institutions—spending two days per week at each site and devoting each Friday to research and professional development. The Amherst fellow will be part of a cohort that includes post-baccalaureate fellows from Harvard University. 

TERM & COMPENSATION

The fellowship term runs from September 2026 through May 2027 and includes a $26,000 stipend, housing in Washington, DC at Dumbarton Oaks for the term of the fellowship, optional health insurance, and a research allowance of $1,000 to support attendance of a conference, exhibition, or to pursue coursework related to the fellow’s academic or professional interests. 

Professional development opportunities will be offered to the fellow throughout their stay, connecting them with a wide range of humanities scholars, administrators, and practitioners in Washington, DC.

QUALIFICATIONS

The fellow will be chosen for their outstanding scholarly achievements, broad cultural engagement, desire to gain and use new skills, and potential to contribute to dynamic humanities communities. 

The selected fellow need not have been a concentrator in the humanities, but should have demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to the humanities through coursework or extracurricular activities. 

Their ability to communicate their vision of what the humanities mean to their own peers will be given weight in making the award.

ELIGIBILITY

Open to graduating seniors and recent graduates (December 2024–May 2026) who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for OPT.

APPLICATION

To be considered for the fellowship, applicants will be required to submit the following via Handshake:

• Resume
• Transcript (an unofficial transcript from the Registrar’s Office is acceptable)
• An example of the applicant’s work (a written paper, article, portfolio, or project), no more than 10 pages
• A statement of purpose (no more than 2 pages, single-spaced) that describes the applicant’s background and interests and explains how a fellowship in the humanities will further their intellectual and professional goals. The applicant should outline what skills they hope to acquire over the course of the fellowship and should address departmental assignments that would help meet those goals. 
• Two letters of recommendation on institutional letterhead, addressed to the search committee, and sent by recommenders to Carla Costa at ccosta@amherst.edu

SELECTION PROCESS

The fellow will be chosen for their outstanding scholarly achievements, broad cultural engagement, desire to gain and use new skills, and potential to contribute to dynamic humanities communities. The fellowship will benefit an individual who may not be intent on pursuing another degree immediately after graduating, would like to learn while contributing to the advancement of group projects, and would gain from spending an academic year in Washington, DC. The selected fellow need not have been a concentrator in the humanities, but should have demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to the humanities through coursework or extracurricular activities. Their ability to communicate their vision of what the humanities mean to their own peers will be given weight in making the award.

Interviews of short-listed candidates will be held virtually in February with final selection typically being complete by late March or early April.
 

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025 AT 11:59PM. 

 

QUESTIONS
**All interested applicants are highly encouraged to review these Frequently Asked Questions**

Carla Costa, Program Director for Careers in Arts and Communication at the Loeb Center for Career Exploration & Planning can answer questions about the fellowship experience and provide support in developing application materials. 
Email ccosta@amherst.edu or book an appointment in Handshake to discuss your application.