Fellowships

 

Renaissance of the Earth Fellow 2025-2026

The Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies announces a call for 2025-2026 Renaissance of the Earth Fellows: a unique opportunity for advanced undergraduate and graduate students to work across disciplines and laboratories. As a Fellow, you will move from a rare book library to an outdoor landscape as you pursue research projects that explore the ways that engaging with our early modern past helps us reshape our environmental future. Examples of past projects can be found here: https://www.renaissanceoftheearth.com/blog

The Renaissance of the Earth Fellows build lasting research and collaborative networks across campus and the Five Colleges. Students interested in a diverse array of disciplines are welcome: from the humanities, forest or soil ecologies, natural resource conservation, animal husbandry and livestock management, biodiversity, landscape planning and architecture to students working in the arts, creative writing, and environmental humanities.  

Fellows work closely with scholars, students, and artists gaining hands-on experience in developing a public-facing project. Creativity is encouraged! Ahead of your application, please be sure to visit us at the Kinney Center to learn more about our library and landscapes (contact efox@umass.edu). Experience in Renaissance and early modern studies is not required. Fellowship awards are $2,500.

Applications are due: May 15, 2025
Fellowships will be announced: June 15, 2025

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Submit all application materials here

Cover Letter
Your letter should address the following questions:

  • What draws you to the Renaissance of the Earth project?

  • How do you imagine bringing your academic interests and/or work experience to bear on a public-facing project?

  • Have you had an opportunity to work with rare books before? (not required)

  • Do you have experiences cultivating the natural world?

  • What do you hope to learn from this experience?

  • How might this experience offer training relevant to your future goals?

Vision Statement (300 words) 

  • Brief statement of your vision—this might include: where you imagine beginning your project; what aspects of Renaissance of the Earth most interest you; what experience you have in your area of research interest or what experience are you hoping to cultivate; what question(s) might your project will explore

Resume

  • Experience and relevant coursework pertaining to your proposal subject

  • Major and minor, as well as internship, work-study, as well as relevant research and volunteer-experience 

Reference   

Our 2024-2025 Fellows, Hannah Gould (English & Sustainable Food and Farming) and Melanie Morgan (Horticulture), are developing new research projects drawing upon the Center’s collections and hands-on work in our historical gardens. Their blog can be read here

 

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst occupies the traditional homelands of the Nolwottog or Nonotuck Nation. For actions beyond statements of recognition of Native lands, see MCNAA.