URSCA > Visitor Programs > Mellon Humanities Collaboratory

The JHU-Mellon Humanities Collaboratory provides an opportunity for emerging humanities students from community colleges across the country to participate in an intensive and innovative summer research experience through the Mellon Humanities for All program. Students design and develop research projects in the subject areas of:

  • History
  • History of Art
  • History of Science or Medicine
  • English
  • Media Studies
  • Modern Languages and Literatures
  • Philosophy
  • Classics
  • Religious Studies
  • Humanities tracks within interdisciplinary programs (e.g., East Asian Studies, American Studies, Gender Studies, etc.)

The Humanities Collaboratory was a pioneering pedagogical design created in 2017 with funding from the Mellon Foundation, the Leadership Alliance, and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. It innovates a highly scalable, student-centered approach to guiding independent research through peer modeling, moving beyond the one-to-one student/mentor model to develop undergraduates as subject experts.

With this model, the Collaboratory brings together students from different branches of humanities scholarship to work together constructively while pursuing individual research projects.

URSCA is hosting a series of virtual info sessions on the Humanities Collaboratory. Please see our events calendar for more information and to register.

Requirements

The Collaboratory requires an in-person residential commitment for 10 weeks, typically from late May through early August. Participants receive a competitive summer stipend of $6,000 plus round-trip travel to Baltimore, and are housed near the Johns Hopkins campus, in community with other summer researchers.

In addition to research, Collaboratory scholars participate in professional development workshops and community-building activities hosted by URSCA. They also present their work at the annual Hopkins Summer Research Symposium and/or at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium at the end of the summer.

Eligibility

  • Available in person for the entire duration of the program (typically late May through early August) 
  • U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident 
  • Undergraduate enrolled in a community college in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territory and/or participant in the Leadership Alliance FYRE program
  • At least 18 years of age on May 1, 2025
  • Majoring in a humanities discipline, or with a humanities focus in an interdisciplinary program or general studies track 
  • An interest in pursuing a Ph.D. 

Apply

Applications for the 2025 program are due on December 2, 2024.

The application consists of the following:

  • Personal information and educational data (current institution, major, GPA, etc.)
  • CV
  • Personal statement (1,000-word essay addressing why you are interested in humanities research in general and the Humanities Collaboratory program in particular)
  • Writing sample (no longer than 10 pages; example of your academic writing that you feel best demonstrates your abilities as a scholar)
  • One letter of recommendation
Apply to the Humanities Collaboratory

Stories from the Collaboratory

Many of the Humanities Collaboratory participants are in the midst of mapping out their futures, and for them, the summer is a turning point. Read their stories to learn more about their unique research projects, what they learned during the 10 weeks, and what they plan to do next.

“I realized that it is feasible and attractive to pursue a career in academia. I wasn’t sure how to do it or even where to look for opportunities for research and conferences, yet I am more confident in exploring and applying for jobs which will more closely align with my interests. Overall, I’ve decided that nothing seems impossible to me anymore. I am more capable than I once thought, and I have interesting thoughts that are worth sharing with others.”
– HLAB 2024 participant

“I learned a lot about myself in this program. I was coming from a place somewhat of stagnancy, and letting complacency stop me from seeking other experiences that would challenge me. This program reminded me of what it felt like to be active and completely involved in something, while being around similar and stimulating people, and all in an incredible place.”
– HLAB 2024 participant

“I am walking out of this experience with the knowledge that asking for help from my community is essential to my scholarly success and that through my community I can persevere. I did not give up.”
– HLAB 2024 participant