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Scholar Scope - January Issue

Lisseth Murillo - Thursday, January 15
 Events 

January 2026 Issue

In this Scholar Scope Newsletter:

  • Torchlight: Open Applications Supported by AHF
  • Final Call: Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
  • Save the Date: Upcoming Sessions
  • Trojan Triumphs
  • Campus Connect

Open Applications Supported by AHF

Beinecke Scholarship 

The Beinecke Scholarship seeks highly motivated students to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences (Ph.D. or terminal degree such as MFA) at any accredited university. Each scholar receives $5,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.

To learn more, visit USC Beinecke Scholarship

Udall Scholarship

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to sophomore and junior level college students committed to careers related to the environment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields; or tribal public policy, or Native American health care. The Foundation grants 50 awards per year of up to $7000 for tuition, room and board, and other educational expenses. 

To learn more, visit USC Udall Scholarship

USC Scholar Distinctions

Scholar Distinctions recognize graduating seniors who have excelled in areas such as research, leadership, service, and global engagement. These designations appear on the official transcript and diploma, honoring the breadth of achievement across a student’s USC experience. Each distinction hosts a Prize Competition and selects ten graduating seniors to receive a $10,000 prize.

If you are a senior who has made significant contributions in one or more of these areas, consider applying to graduate with distinction.

To learn more, visit USC Scholar Distinctions

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Join Us for our Upcoming Sessions


Knight Hennessy Scholarship - Information Session
  • The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship is a fully-endowed, multidisciplinary leadership development program for graduate students at Stanford University.
  • Scholars receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at any of Stanford’s seven schools while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders capable of taking on the world’s most difficult challenges.
  • Event Details:
    • Wednesday, February 11, 2026
    • 12:00PM - 1:00PM
    • Student Union (STU) B-3 (basement level)
  • To register, click HERE
The session will be held in-person and will not be recorded. If you want to learn more the opportunity but are unable to attend, we recommend joining their admission mailing list to get in touch with the KHS team directly. 

Schwarzman Scholar Winner


Congratulations to Giancarlo Ceja (Class of 2024) for being named a 2026-2027 Schwarzman Scholar. Read the press release here. 

Giancarlo Ceja is an environmental policymaker whose work and passion lie in environmental justice, previously serving at institutions like the White House and the Energy and Commerce Committee. During his career in public service, he has implemented initiatives from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Biden-Harris’ Justice40. As a Schwarzman Scholar and onward, Giancarlo strives to bridge the equity gaps in environmental policy and protect the marginalized communities most susceptible to the climate crisis. He holds B.A. degrees in Environmental Studies and International Relations from the University of Southern California. Giancarlo is from the United States.

Grant Writing - Funding Projects for a Better World
  • Planning to apply for scholarships, fellowships, or other competitive opportunities? Grant Writing—Funding Projects for a Better World helps students strengthen how they frame their skills, experiences, and project ideas. Grant writing is a highly sought-after skill across nonprofits, research institutions, and federally funded projects, and this course teaches the technical and persuasive strategies behind successful proposals through hands-on workshops.
  • Taught by Professor Amanda Hobmeier, a Fulbright alumna, Assistant Professor in the USC Writing Program, and member of USC’s Fulbright Campus Evaluation Committees, the course offers expert guidance for students preparing competitive applications.
  • Course Details
    • Lecture: Mondays, 12:00–1:50PM
    • Location: DMC 209
    • Instructor: Amanda Hobmeier

Questions? Please reach out to hobmeier@usc.edu
More info: https://dornsife.usc.edu/undergrad-programs/toolkit/
 

Spring 2026 Polymathic Book Club
  • For the Spring 2026 semester, the Polymathic Book Club is excited to feature Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. As we've reached the one year mark since the LA Fires, this timely book holds particular relevance to the Polymath community.
  • If you are interested in joining the Spring 2026 Polymathic Book Club, email Karin Huebner at khuebner@usc.edu by Wednesday, January 21st.
  • ​​​​​​​All members will receive a physical copy or Kindle version of the book.
  • Event Details:
    • Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30pm (dates to be determined)

Polymathic Pizza: META-verses: Language Beyond Words
  • Join the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study for this year's Polymathic Pizza Series.
  • Professors Taj Frazier and Khalil Iskarous will guide us through their respective fields of research to show us how AI and machine learning are enhancing and transforming their domains of language in its myriad forms. Both scholars agree that AI is a tool to enhance human expression but caution us that this technology is not the expression itself. Join us to explore technology used to create and recover…empowering language beyond words.
  • Event Details:
    • Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:00-6:30PM
    • Harman Academy for Polymathic Study, Doheny Memorial Library Room 241
  • To rsvp, fill out this GOOGLE FORM

2026 Catalina Student Retreat: Call for Applications
  • ​​​​A select group of students and faculty will gather for a lively weekend at the Wrigley Marine Science Center to explore questions around what (or who) can co-exist and what cannot. In an age of incredible creation and contention, we are constantly considering, challenging, and constructing boundaries both abstract and material. Can these boundaries be blurred, or are they fundamentally impermeable?
  • All expenses are covered by the Harman Academy. For retreat details and link to the application, click HERE.
  • Event Details:
    • Friday, March 13 - Sunday, March 15

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