The Tisch Library Graduate Fellowship in the Arts and Humanities provides a source of funding for MA, MFA, and PhD students conducting research over the summer for their qualifying paper, thesis, or dissertation research. It is explicitly not a travel grant. Fellows receive:
- Stipend of $5000
- Designated study space in Tisch Library
- Ongoing consultation with a research librarian
The stipend will be issued as one payment at the start of the summer semester.
Fellows will present their research as part of a panel discussion in the fall semester at the end of the award period.
Eligibility
Could you be a fellow? Yes, if you meet the following criteria:
- You are a graduate student in the arts or humanities performing summer research for your qualifying paper, thesis, or dissertation. Specifically, graduate students nominated by the following departments are eligible:
- Classical Studies
- English
- History
- History of Art & Architecture
- Music
- Philosophy
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts @ Tufts
- Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
- You are enrolled as a full-time graduate student as of June 1 of the fellowship year and in good academic standing as defined by the rules of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Four students will be selected to receive fellowships. Two fellowships will go to master's students, and two will go to doctoral students.
Timeline
- February 2026 - Nominations and applications open
- Student should connect with their Director of Graduate Studies
- Student requests a letter of recommendation from their advisor to be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies
- Student sends their statement of purpose to the Director of Graduate Studies
- March 2026 - Applications due
- Director of Graduate Studies submits the nomination, statement of purpose, and letter of recommendation on behalf of the student applicant
- End of April 2026 - Fellows are notified
- Mid-May 2026 - Stipends are distributed
- June 2026 - Start of fellowship
- September 2026 - End of fellowship
- Fellows present on their research in September (tbd) at a library panel.
- Fellows submit a donor report (GSAS requirement) describing their accomplishment during the fellowship period. More details and exact deadline will be provided at an orientation event.
Nomination Process
Departments submit nominations on behalf of the student, so applicants should be in touch with their graduate program directors in advance of the deadline. Graduate programs nominating candidates will submit the following information:
- Nomination form from the Director of Graduate Studies attesting to the nominee’s eligibility and uploading all supporting documents (Form will be available in February 2026)
- Statement of purpose (1500–2000 words) from the student speaking to how their proposed research project meets the fellowship’s selection criteria
- Suggested: please reach out to library staff before submitting your application if you know that you will need support from specific staff members.
- Letter of recommendation from the faculty member advising the student's qualifying paper, thesis, or dissertation, speaking to how the student’s proposed research project meets the fellowship’s selection criteria
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:
- Clarity, completeness, and feasibility of the research plan for the duration of the fellowship
- Use of library resources that are creative, or original, or unusual in depth or breadth
- Library resources include collections, services, and/or consultations
Selection Committee
The selection committee includes Tisch Library staff in coordination with the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (ex officio).
Contact Anna Kijas for more information about the Graduate Fellowship.