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Institute of Health and Humanities

Ridge Scholarship

The annual Ridge Scholarship awards up to $1,500 per awardee for research and creative projects at the intersection of health/healthcare and the humanities.

Project Requirements

  • Eligibility: Qualified graduate and upper-division undergraduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ from all disciplines are encouraged to apply (details below).
  • Library Resources: Projects must utilize materials from the Ridge Library Collection (details below).
  • Intersectional Inquiry: We seek projects that engage both health/healthcare and the humanities (details below).
  • Reflection: Scholars are asked to write a short reflection (1-2 pages) of their experiences with their research and the Ridge Collection.

Important Dates

  • Presentation: Research or creative work should be ready for the Ridge Scholar Panel at GradCon in late February/early March 2026.
  • Application Deadline: Submit your application by May 15, 2025. Questions? Email us at ihh@mso.umt.edu.

RIDGE LIBRARY COLLECTION

The Ridge Collection can be found at The Learning Center in Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula.

  • Focus: This interdisciplinary collection delves into medical humanities.
  • Contents: Explore 1,800 books, journals, and audio/visual materials. Topics covered include history, ethics, art, film, theater, and literature.
  • Insights: Gain valuable perspectives on healthcare, community, and individual well-being.
  • Explore: browse the Ridge Library Collection . The Ridge Collection is also available for online browsing through the Mansfield Library at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. 

INTERSECTIONAL INQUIRY

Applications related to health equity, narrative medicine and storytelling, end-of-life care options, climate change and health, suicide and community response to suicide, social determinants of health, and other current topics will be considered.  A focus on these issues in the Missoula region is encouraged but not required provided the research is relevant to the Missoula region.  “Research” includes traditional scientific and humanities research, as well as creative works.  Examples of appropriate creative works include a short film, play, or art piece suitable for public presentation.  

 All applicants must be able to articulate the relationship of the humanistic content of their project to health and/or healthcare. Here are examples of past research topics.

  • Health: Health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. It is not merely the absence of illness but a holistic state of thriving.
  • Humanities: Humanities explore the human experience through various lenses. They include disciplines like philosophy, religion, literature, history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, and they help us understand our existence, emotions, creativity, and connections to others and the world around us.

 If you would like to ask questions about whether or not your project might be a good fit, feel free to reach out to Amy at IHH@mso.umt.edu.

 ELIGIBILITY

  1. Undergraduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must have completed at least two years of college and have junior or senior standing at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
  2. Graduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must be officially enrolled in a master's or doctoral program.
  3. All applicants must have sufficient background in their discipline to conduct meaningful research that utilizes the resources of the Ridge Collection and the ability to develop and carry out a research project or creative work under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
  4. Applicants may be pursuing any major field of study and must have at least a 3.2 overall GPA.
  5. Undergraduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits and graduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ for 9 credits in the semester(s) during which the research and/or creative work will be undertaken.