Call for proposals

Clemente Public Humanities Virtual Roundtables

The Clemente Alumni Council (CAC) is thrilled to invite Clemente graduates from across the national network to plan and organize a new series of Public Humanities Roundtables, made possible through the generous support of the Mellon Foundation.


We are looking for Clemente alumni who want to take a leadership role in bringing public humanities conversations to life:  identifying a compelling topic, shaping the discussion, and organizing an event that puts local experts in conversation with Clemente graduates. We encourage you to think locally when it comes to your speakers: community organizers, thought leaders, and experts rooted in your own community are exactly the kind of voices we want to elevate. Events will be hosted virtually and open to Clemente alumni from across our national and international network, so local conversations can reach a global audience.


Experts do not need to come from within the Clemente network; we encourage you to bring in whoever is best suited to the conversation you want to have. Alumni from different Clemente sites are also welcome to collaborate on a single proposal.


Each selected roundtable receives $1,500 in funding, which covers honoraria for the three participating experts ($300 each) as well as compensation for the alumni organizer(s) for their time and labor. The Alumni Council will review all submissions and select up to three roundtables to fund for the fall 2026 programming cycle.

WHY ORGANIZE A PUBLIC HUMANITIES ROUNDTABLE?

This is a unique opportunity to deepen your connection to Clemente while developing real skills and relationships. As a roundtable organizer, you will gain hands-on experience planning and facilitating a public event — from shaping a topic and curating a speaker lineup to moderating a live conversation with a national audience. You'll build meaningful connections with thought leaders and experts in your community, while also strengthening your ties to the wider Clemente alumni network. And you'll be doing something that matters: extending the spirit of the Clemente Course into your community and contributing to a growing body of public humanities work made by and for Clemente graduates.



WE ENCOURAGE PROPOSALS THAT:

  • Connect to public humanities or the role of the humanities in everyday life
  • Are relevant to a broad cross-section of the Clemente community
  • Elevate voices and ideas meaningful to the Clemente student and alumni community


HOW TO SUBMIT

Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning August 1, 2026. The final deadline to submit is September 1, 2026. The Clemente Alumni Council will begin reviewing submissions as they arrive. All applicants will be notified of decisions by September 18, 2026.


Please prepare the following for your proposal:

  1. Proposed Title — A working title for your roundtable
  2. Topic & Description — A brief description (200-250 words) of the conversation you want to facilitate: what question or theme will anchor the discussion, and why it matters to you and to the Clemente community
  3. Proposed Experts — Names, brief bios, and affiliations for your three proposed speakers (confirmed or prospective); explain why each is the right voice for this conversation
  4. Organizer Information — Your name, the Clemente site you attended, and any co-organizers (including their sites)
  5. Accessibility — Any thoughts on timing, audience engagement, or accessibility considerations


TIMELINE

CAC Review Begins: August 1, 2026

Final Proposal Deadline: September 1, 2026

CAC Proposal Review: August  - September  2026

Applicants notified: By the end of September 2026

Programming begins: October 2026


Questions? Contact taylor@clementecourse.org, and she will put you in touch with the CAC.



Click Here to Submit a Proposal