The Altman Graduate Fellowship permits a graduate student to join our Altman Program research group—ten professors and six or more undergraduate and graduate students from a range of academic disciplines. Each year, this group studies an issue of consequence through a special faculty seminar and a series of public lectures, conferences, and other events. Two Altman Faculty Fellows also teach a special 400-level course related to the topic of the Altman Program, and the program often includes other courses, symposium, exhibits or performances.
The primary benefit of the program is the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary faculty seminar on a cutting-edge topic in the humanities. The Altman Graduate Fellowship also comes with a $750 professional expenses account for items such as books, travel, or research needs as defined by Miami University policy.
The Altman Graduate Fellow is invited to join the faculty research seminar and to present her or his work publicly during the program. The fellow is expected to act as an informal advisor to the undergraduate fellows and to see that their experience in the program is meaningful. This duty involves coordinating regular meetings or activities, providing advice about undergraduate research projects, giving undergraduate fellows a sense of the nature and challenges of graduate study, and helping them toward completion of their individual and collaborative projects. The Altman Graduate Fellow also occasionally assists with public events and distinguished visitors. For example, the graduate fellow might supervise undergraduate fellows while they interview visiting speakers or help them polish public talks for the annual Altman Symposium. The goal of the program is to connect successful graduate students and ambitious undergraduates in a collaboration that fosters independent inquiry, creates opportunities for collaboration, and nurtures a new generation of outstanding humanities scholars and leaders.
Applying is simple. Submit a one-page statement describing your interest and qualifications for the program by email to humanitiesgrants@miamioh.edu. Letters of reference are not needed, but please indicate faculty who are currently directing your study or who could speak about your work, if asked. Please write “Altman Graduate Fellow Application” in the subject box of your email.
Applications are due by the date given on the Student Opportunities page.