DescriptionThe Levitt Research Fellows Program provides funding for Hamilton students who in collaboration with a faculty member wish to spend the summer engaged in public scholarship that leads to a deeper understanding of complex social problems. 

Students selected for the program will receive a $525/week stipend for up to 10 weeks. Summer Research Fellows will be required to work on their... project on a full-time basis for for the duration of their project. Applications from all students are welcome; however, the Levitt Council gives preference to rising juniors and seniors.  Strong proposals will align with a student's educational goals, serve as a pathway to further research, and support the Levitt Center's focus on developing the knowledge and skills to understand and address persistent social problems.  

Levitt Fellowships are competitive and students should work closely with their faculty research advisor to be certain that their projects are well-thought out, manageable, and focused.  

There are two deadlines for the Levitt Fellows Program: a pre-application deadline and the regular application deadline.  The pre-application deadline was January 23, 2026.  The regular application deadline is  February 8, 2026. 

To learn more about the Fellows Program and the application process, including information on previous research projects, please visit our Levitt Faculty-Student Research  page. 

 

If you have any questions, please email levitt@hamilton.edu.

 
QualificationsApplications from all students are welcome; however, the Levitt Council gives preference to rising juniors and seniors.  Strong proposals will align with a student's educational goals, serve as a pathway to further research, and support the Levitt Center's focus on developing the knowledge and skills to understand and address persistent social problems.  Levitt Fellowships are competitive and students should work closely with their faculty research advisor to be certain that their projects are well-thought out, manageable, and focused. 

The Council will use the following rubric when evaluating applications for summer research (each criterion is equally weighted and rated on a scale of 1-5).  Items 1 and 2 will serve as threshold criteria.  Any proposal that receives an average score of 2 or below on either of these two items will not receive further consideration. 


- Project Design: The proposal provides clear and reasonable methods and processes for completing the project.

- Timeline Feasibility: The proposal provides a clear description of the project tasks and a reasonable timeline for their completion.

- Academic Merit: The proposal provides a clear background, a description of the research questions, and the goals of the project.

- Project Relevance: The proposal addresses a timely issue relevant to public affairs or social innovation.

- Preparation: The transcript and other materials provide evidence that the student has the appropriate academic background to complete the project and that the research is related to their academic experience.

- Letter of Support: The letter demonstrates faculty support and continuing mentorship during the duration of the research.

- Proposal Quality:  the proposal is well-written and organized. 

Application InstructionsThe regular application deadline is February 8, 2026.  Once you have completed the pre-application, you will be asked, among other things, to upload your detailed proposal, transcript, and your advisor's letter of recommendation. The Levitt Center will not accept any regular applications from students who do not meet the pre-application deadline.

If you have any questions, please email levitt@hamilton.edu.

 
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DescriptionCall for Proposals: AI Lighthouse Faculty Fellows — Lighthouse Fellows

 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every sector of society, rewriting the way we live, work, create, and learn. Higher education has the potential to drive ethical and equitable uses of AI that will be both profound and transformative for learning and discovery. 

 

We envision an initiative that does not... simply “use AI,” but instead, ethically reimagines what a liberal arts education can be in an AI-embedded world. For example: imagine a group of scholars taking on a project to visually and physically map the Harlem Renaissance through its economic, social, and cultural contexts, using AI to analyze government data, housing records, commercial transactions, artistic collaborations, and cultural expression. The outputs could include a living digital archive, a series of educational materials, interactive graphics and visualizations, imitative works of art, a simulated museum, or even immersive conversations with the thinkers and creators of that time.

 

This initiative is not about small marginal experiments—it’s about charting new territory by exploring bold, ambitious ways by which technology can enhance Hamilton’s delivery of a liberal arts education. Just as Renaissance artists and scholars blended disciplines to expand human understanding, our Lighthouse Fellows will help us discover what is possible when AI and technology broadly, is leveraged with the same creativity, rigor, and boldness with which we approach a liberal arts education at Hamilton College.

 

Sincerely,

Steven & Ngoni

 

Details of the Fellowship:

 


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Time Commitment: Three semesters total (S26, F26, & S27). Spring 26 will include a development stipend of $7500 with the following two semesters as a full release from teaching (F26 & S27). Faculty are expected to continue their normal research and service obligations during this time.



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Instructional Coverage:




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In the 2026-27 academic year, the department may employ a visiting faculty member to cover two semesters of full-time teaching responsibilities.





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Focus Areas: Proposals should demonstrate how AI can transform teaching, research, or creative practice in ways that reflect and strengthen our mission as a liberal arts institution. Interdisciplinary approaches to AI are especially encouraged.



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Support: Fellows will have access to student fellows, technology consultants, and enterprise partners to test and develop their ideas.




QualificationsEligibility
Tenure-track and tenured members of the faculty are eligible to apply.  

Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:


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Ambition and Imagination – Does the project push beyond incremental improvements to envision new possibilities?



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Impact on Liberal Arts Education – Does the project illuminate how AI can deepen critical inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and public engagement?



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Feasibility – Can the project reasonably be developed within the fellowship period with the resources available to the College?



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Potential for Inspiration – Will the work engage students and colleagues and help foster a broader culture of exploration around AI?



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Connection to mission — Does the proposal creatively connect to the College mission and educational goals?




Application InstructionsApplication Process
Interested faculty collaborations (groups of 3-5 faculty) should submit a single proposal from the collaborative group (3–5 pages):


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 Outlining their ideas, goals, and potential outcomes.



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A statement on how the project connects to teaching and research broadly among faculty.



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An explanation of how students might be involved as collaborators.



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Any anticipated resource needs (technical, data access, partnerships, etc.).




 

Applications are due January 15, 2026. Fellows will be announced on or around February 1, 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity StatementHamilton College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in all areas of the campus community.

Hamilton College complies with all federal and state laws including publishing and making available its Annual Security Report. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes and institutional policies addressing campus security. To obtain a copy of this report contact the Director of Campus Safety or visit: www.hamilton.edu/annualsecurityreport
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