Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars Program (MICHHERS)

For 2026, students interested in the fields of classics, cultural studies, history, literary studies, linguistics, and visual cultures are eligible to apply for Summer 2026.

Additionally, MICHHERS supports the transdisciplinary interests of students whose interests do not directly align within one field. We provide space in the application for students to share the interdisciplinary nature of their interests and fit within the humanities community.

Application Process

Students who still want to apply can self-select into the transdisciplinary track. You will be asked to complete an additional short-answer question, explaining your interest in the transdisciplinary track.

Mentorship and Experience

Students in the transdisciplinary track will have a similar experience to those in traditional disciplines. They will be paired with both a faculty mentor and a graduate student and attend seminars.

Innovative Curriculum

The transdisciplinary curriculum is a new and innovative path developed to better serve the academic interests of humanities students.

The summer academic experience, running from Saturday, May 23, to Saturday, June 6, 2026, will help students learn about the various fields within their chosen discipline along with the latest methodologies and developments from faculty in individual departments.

Research Opportunities

Students will have the opportunity to work on a piece of their own scholarship or develop a research project in consultation with U-M faculty and graduate students in their field.

Graduate School and Career Preparation

Students will receive practical instruction on applying to graduate school and pursuing careers inside and outside academia.

• $1,000 stipend
• University Housing
• Round-trip travel cost
• Application fee waiver to apply to a Rackham Graduate School program

Eligibility Requirements

We are not able to accept students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Students currently enrolled at the University of Michigan-Flint and the University of Michigan-Dearborn are encouraged to apply.

• We seek rising seniors, bachelor’s degree holders, and those currently in terminal M.A. programs who are United States citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with DACA. Please note, those who are currently applying to enroll in a doctoral program for Fall 2026 are ineligible to participate in MICHHERS.
• Applicants must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
  1. Come from an educational, cultural, or geographic background that is underrepresented in graduate study in their discipline in the United States or at the University of Michigan.
  2. Have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations. By diversity, we mean efforts to reduce social, educational, or economic disparities based on race, ethnicity, or gender, or to improve race relations in the United States.
  3. Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances.
  4. Be a first-generation U.S. citizen or will be the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university.

For 2026, students interested in the fields of classics, cultural studies, history, literary studies, linguistics, and visual cultures are eligible to apply.

There is also the option of the transdisciplinary track within the MICHHERS 2026 cohort, which is designed for students whose interests do not align neatly within our participating programs.

Application Materials

Your application must include:

• Unofficial transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work (if applicable) through December 2025. If you completed a degree at a community college, that transcript should also be included.
• A personal statement (up to 500 words) on your graduate school, academic, and career goals; how your background has influenced those goals; how participating in MICHHERS will help you achieve those goals; and why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.
• An academic statement (up to 600 words) describing the specific field(s) of your research interest(s); why you are interested in that field of research; relevant coursework you are taking this year; and any relevant research experience(s) you have had in an academic or work setting.
• An academic writing sample (between seven and 15 pages double-spaced). This paper should be a piece of original scholarship but does not necessarily need to have been written for a course.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation.

All application materials should be submitted through the Rackham website. Paper copies will not be accepted.

For questions, email [email protected].

Application Deadline

Applications and supporting documentation must be received online by Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Final decisions will be made by the end of March.