The University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities is searching for highly motivated second-year undergraduate students across all majors for its fellowship program. The prestigious program provides fellows with unique research opportunities, specialized seminars and academic and professional development opportunities with faculty mentors. 

The Gaines Fellowship is an intensive two-year program awarded to 12 outstanding undergraduate students each year. Selected fellows take a four-credit hour seminar course as a small cohort focused on the humanities with outstanding UK faculty both semesters of their junior year.

During their senior year, fellows carry out an independent thesis project under the guidance of the Gaines Center director and a small faculty committee. The thesis project allows fellows to conduct passionate, faculty-mentored research and to demonstrate in-depth understanding of their research upon defense.

All Gaines Fellows are awarded a stipend of $2,000 their junior year and $3,000 their senior year. 

In addition to the study and research opportunities above, Gaines Fellows are active in ongoing community engagement initiatives including discussions with community leaders, visits to local landmarks, dinners, trivia nights and more. The fellows also participate in a four-day trip to New York City and are provided access to the Gaines Center facilities, including a student lounge, and can access financial support for travel and research opportunities.

Undergraduate students from all majors and academic colleges are given equal consideration for the Gaines Fellowship. The fellowship is best suited for students who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity and active engagement in their curricular and co-curricular obligations. Candidates must have two years remaining at UK beginning Fall 2024 in order to complete the curriculum.

The application for the Gaines Fellowship is open now and interested applicants are invited to attend one of two upcoming virtual information sessions. Times and registration information for these sessions is as follows:

• 3 p.m. Nov. 19; and

• 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

Students can register for information sessions here. 

Gaines Fellowship applications will be accepted through Feb. 3, 2025. APPLY HERE.

Devoted to refining an appreciation for the humanities in students and faculty, the Gaines Center embraces varied paths of knowledge, and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning. The Gaines Fellowship was designed to enrich the undergraduate experience in the humanities at a time when science and technology are dominant. Fellows receive an enhanced understanding of human condition through the humanities while developing an interest in the public issues of their immediate community and world.   

For more information, call the Gaines Center at 859-257-1537 or email Associate Director Chelsea Brislin at clbris4@uky.edu.