HOW TO APPLY

The application deadline (March 1, 2021) has passed.

NEH INSTITUTE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

NEH Summer Institutes allow K-12 educators an opportunity to enrich and revitalize their teaching through the study of humanities topics that bear upon K-12 education. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the program, but the programs are not intended to duplicate graduate-level courses.

This institute allows 25 participants (Summer Scholars) to pursue an intensive program of study under a team of scholarly experts, who present a range of perspectives on the project's topic. Participants and scholars mutually explore connections between scholarship and teaching of the topic.

ELIGIBILITY

Participant eligibility criteria are determined by the NEH. Please follow this link to the National Endowment for the Humanities’ eligibility requirements.

In any given year, an individual may apply to a maximum of two Seminars, Institutes, or Landmarks, but may attend only one.

SELECTION CRITERIA

A selection committee, comprised of the two institute directors, the AAS director of outreach, a K-12 teacher, and a university professor, will evaluate all complete applications to select a group of Summer Scholars and to identify alternates.

Five institute spaces are reserved for teachers who are new to the profession (those who have been teaching for five years or less). Primary consideration is given to those who have not previously attended an NEH Seminar or Institute. When choices must be made between equally qualified candidates, preference is given to those who would enhance the diversity of the program.

The committee will consider the following:

• the applicant’s effectiveness and commitment as a teacher/educator;
• the applicant’s intellectual interests as they relate to the topic of the institute;
• the applicant’s special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the program;
• evidence that participation will have a long-term impact on the applicant’s teaching; and
• special qualifications, such as foreign language proficiency, that may pertain to the topic

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Before you complete an application, please browse this website, which contains detailed information about the topic, project requirements and expectations of the participants, and the academic setting.

All application materials must be submitted online using the AAS online application form below.

Application materials sent directly to the National Endowment for the Humanities will not be reviewed.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A complete application consists of the following items:

1) The Online Application Form

Once you have filled out the AAS online application form, you will be directed to provide attachments for your résumé or brief biography and application essay.

2) A Résumé or Brief Biography

Please include a résumé (up to 2 pages) or brief biography detailing your educational qualifications and professional experience.

3) The Application Essay

The application essay should be no more than four double-spaced pages. It should address reasons for applying; the applicant's interest, both academic and personal, in the subject to be studied; qualifications and experiences that equip the applicant to do the work of the institute and to make a contribution to a learning community; a statement of what the applicant wants to accomplish by participating; and the relation of the project to the applicant's professional responsibilities.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION AND NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Online applications are due March 1, 2021. If you are a successful applicant, you will be notified on Friday, March 26, 2021, and will have until Friday, April 2, 2021, to accept or decline the offer. These dates are required by the NEH of all projects.

Once you have accepted an offer to attend any NEH Summer Program (NEH Summer Seminar, Institute or Landmarks Workshop), you may not accept an additional offer or withdraw in order to accept a different offer.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: Endowment programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age. For further information, write to the Equal Opportunity Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. TDD: 202/606-8282 (this is a special telephone device for the Deaf).