Keck Humanistic Inquiry Research Awards-Group Application

Humanistic inquiry at UCLA covers a breadth of fields, from philosophy to musicology to languages from every part of the world. Programs in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts teach students to articulate their thoughts with clarity and imagination, and to interpret the world of ideas with informed sensitivity in preparation for a culturally rich life as informed and humane citizens.

The UCLA/Keck Humanistic Inquiry Graduate Research Awards Program offers summer support for individual or collaborative graduate student research and creative activity. This innovative program selects a cohort of Keck Graduate Fellows on the cutting edge of their field with proposals that advance humanistic inquiry.

Keck Graduate Fellows receive a stipend of $8,000, lump sum, for the duration of the summer quarter, to support their proposed research/creative activity. If a group of students is applying under one research proposal, an award will be shared equally among the recipients. An important component of the program is supervision from a ladder faculty mentor who can provide the Fellow(s) intellectual support and constructive feedback during the term of the award. Faculty mentors who sponsor successful proposals will receive $1,000 in research funds for fulfilling this commitment.

Keck Graduate Fellows will be required to report on the research/creative activity completed during the award period and will also be expected to take part in professional opportunities to present their research. Fellows may be asked to present their research at UCLA.

This exciting opportunity is thanks to the W.M. Keck Foundation. Established in 1954 in Los Angeles, the Keck Foundation is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic organizations. In recent years, the Foundation has focused on Science and Engineering Research; Medical Research; Undergraduate Education; and Southern California. Each of its grant programs invests in people and programs that are making a difference in the quality of life, now and for the future.

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled graduate student, must be enrolled in Spring 2025, and have completed at least one year of graduate study by the time of the award
• Enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following Schools: the Division of Humanities; the Division of Social Sciences; the International Institute; Luskin School of Public Affairs; the School of Education and Information Studies; the School of Arts and Architecture; the School of Theater, Film, and Television; or the Herb Alpert School of Music.
• Students must be conducting humanistic research/ creative activity for this award and must be in good academic standing, 3.0 GPA or above.
• Students must also not be graduating in Spring 2025; although they may graduate or be on filing fee in Fall 2025

Announcement of Keck Graduate Fellow awardees for Summer 2025

Mid May 2025

Award Period

July 2025 – September 2025

Submission of documents: ONLY ONE OF THE GROUP MEMBERS SHOULD SUBMIT AN APPLICATION!

1. Research Proposal with a timeline of work to be completed; no longer than four pages, double spaced, 12 pt. type, 1-inch margins. The research/creative activity can be related to dissertation or thesis work but does not have to be. Please also provide a short abstract of this proposal no longer than 250 words along with a title of the proposed research/creative activity.
2. Provide CVs for all applicants.
3. Statement of projected research costs (can be used for living expenses*); please include other forms of support that have been secured for the award period.
4. Short bio of applicant(s).
5. Letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor who has agreed to mentor this research/creative activity.

Please click here for applicant budget guidelines.

Publicizing awardees

The name, home department, and a short bio of Keck Graduate Fellows may be published on the UCLA Humanities website, or in its publications. Awardees who do not want their information shared should indicate that on the online submission form.