New Jenrette Fellows Program expands access and improves connectivity
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The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation announces the creation of the Jenrette Fellows Program, a new, two-year graduate fellowship designed to strengthen the education, professional preparation, and national network of emerging leaders in historic preservation.
The Jenrette Fellows Program is structured to provide three core benefits: enhanced financial support through partial scholarship funding; expanded access to hands-on learning opportunities that complement academic coursework; and increased connectivity among a national cohort of fellows enrolled at leading graduate institutions.
“Historic preservation is an interdisciplinary field that benefits from both rigorous academic study and meaningful real-world experience,” said Benjamin Prosky, President of the Jenrette Foundation. “The Jenrette Fellows Program is designed to support talented graduate students financially while also deepening their exposure to the technical, professional, and collaborative dimensions of the discipline.”
Program Structure and Experience
The fellowship is awarded prior to the start of the fall semester of a student’s first year of graduate study and is designed as a cohesive, two-year experience. Program elements include:
A required introductory weekend in the fall of the first year, focused on cohort-building and educational programming;
Participation in a Foundation-supported field school during the spring semester;
A required summer internship or externship between academic years if the student’s graduate program does not already mandate one; and
An elective regional architectural history tour following completion of the second year.
In addition, fellows will receive support to attend one professional conference per year: the National Trust Conference during their first year and the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) Conference during their second year.
Initially, four Jenrette Fellowships will be awarded annually. After the first year of operation, the program will support up to eight students in each cohort year.
Eligible Institutions and Selection Process
For the fall 2026 entering class, the Jenrette Foundation has identified eleven eligible graduate institutions based on curriculum strength, specialized learning opportunities, past student achievement, geographic diversity, and existing relationships with the Foundation. Eligible institutions are:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Clemson University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Pratt Institute
Tulane University
University of Kentucky
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas
Each institution will nominate one candidate for consideration. Application materials will include a nominating letter from the head of the graduate historic preservation program, an additional letter of support, the student’s résumé and cover letter, and a two- to three-page essay outlining professional interests. Undergraduate students and non-degree certificate candidates are not eligible.
Foundation staff will submit a prioritized list of candidates to a committee of the Foundation’s Board, which will select fellows and alternates. Alternates will be disclosed only to staff and used if a selected candidate is unable to accept the fellowship.
Financial Support
Each Jenrette Fellowship includes:
$12,000 per year in partial tuition and fee support, awarded as a grant to the institution;
$2,500 per year as a travel supplement for Foundation-directed educational activities, including conference attendance; and
$2,000 per year in administrative support funding for the institution.
While financial assistance is a critical component of the program, the Foundation emphasizes that the long-term value of the fellowship lies in the educational experience, professional development, and distinction associated with being named a Jenrette Fellow.
Hands-On Learning and Professional Connectivity
Recognizing that many graduate students enter historic preservation programs with limited exposure to technical and construction-related practice, the program emphasizes applied learning. Fellows will participate in a week-long field school designed in collaboration with host institutions and instructors, engage in online meetings with preservation leaders multiple times per semester, and complete an internship or externship when required.
The program also places a strong emphasis on building professional networks. The introductory weekend, ongoing cohort activities, and shared educational experiences are intended to foster lasting connections among fellows and to strengthen the field of historic preservation more broadly.
About the Jenrette Foundation
The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation is dedicated to the stewardship of historic preservation, decorative arts, and cultural education. With a commitment to convening leaders, supporting emerging professionals, and fostering inclusive scholarship, the Foundation continues the legacy of its founder by championing the living history of American material culture.