Research Topic: Truth
Application deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
The Wolf Humanities Center invites applications from Penn undergraduate students interested in conducting humanities research on "Truth" during the 2025–2026 academic year. Students may apply for a Research Fellowship or for a Research Fellowship with a position on the Executive Board.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, Undergraduate Humanities Forum meetings will be held on Fridays between 2:00pm and 4:00pm and the Research Conference will be held on a Friday in late March or early April 2026, 9:00am–5:00pm (date TBC). Interested applicants are advised to avoid conflicts in scheduling classes and other obligations during these times.
Applicants from all of Penn's schools are welcome to apply, provided their project fits the intellectual agenda of the Wolf Humanities Center; must be full-time and on campus for the entirety of the academic year of the award; and must be in good academic standing. Proposed research may be part of a student's independent studies course, capstone seminar, or honors theses, or developed independently, but must be undertaken under the guidance of faculty specialists. Applicants should confirm a faculty advisor who will supervise their research during the fellowship year, and assist the fellow in completing the project in a timely manner for the conference presentation. Faculty advisors must submit a reference letter as part of the application process.
Beyond the merits of each project, the selection committee will prioritize proposals that engage with humanistic perspectives on Truth as outlined on the topic page. These perspectives embrace ambiguity, relativity, and cultural variance, particularly inviting historical approaches to the construction of truth and its conceptual opposites, as well as an exploration of their tension with belief systems, opinion, and doubt. Successful projects will deeply engage with the complexities and methodological implications of the topic, using the idea of truth as a lens to question and re-examine research methods, underlying assumptions, and the broader intellectual framework.
TO APPLY, please submit the following via the Interfolio application portal no later than Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 11:59pm Eastern.
1. Research Plan
Please include the following: Project Title; Project Abstract (125 words max); and Project Proposal (300-500 words). In your proposal, please explain how you came up with this project, how it relates to the topic of Truth, and outline your theoretical and methodological approach.
2. Personal Statement
Please explain why you are applying for a humanities fellowship and how participating in a humanistic research program will benefit your research. The Wolf Humanities Center is an inclusive intellectual space. If you have had any experiences of diversity that have shaped your approach to your research and educational path, we would be glad to hear about it. (300-500 words)
3. Unofficial Transcript
4. Confidential Letter of Recommendation
A letter from the Penn faculty member who has formally agreed to act as your project advisor and is familiar with your proposed research is required. Letters must be submitted via Interfolio by the March 19 deadline.
5. Executive Board Applicants Only
Students applying for a position on the Wolf Undergraduate Humanities Forum Executive Board should also prepare 200-300 words explaining each of the following: previous experience you have had in planning events or organizing groups, why you think an Undergraduate Humanities Forum is important, ideas you have for organizing and motivating your Wolf Undergraduate Humanities Forum colleagues, and ideas for inspiring other Penn undergraduates to become involved in future years.
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, postdocs, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Additional information can be found online at Penn: Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs: Policies, Handbooks and Procedures.