Apply now for the 2026 Edward T. Breathitt Undergraduate Lectureship
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 3, 2026) — Applications for the prestigious 2026 Edward T. Breathitt Undergraduate Lectureship in the Humanities, presented by the University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities, are now open.
Established to honor UK alum Edward T. Breathitt, who served as Kentucky’s governor from 1963-67, the lectureship recognizes an undergraduate whose qualities of mind and spirit are expressed eloquently through the humanities. Breathitt was known for his exceptional passion for higher education and the humanities, values reflected in this annual lecture.
Although applications are welcome from students in any college or major, the proposed lecture must have a strong humanities focus. Any UK faculty member may also nominate a qualified student by emailing Chelsea Brislin, Ph.D., associate director of the Gaines Center, at clbris4@uky.edu.
Each applicant is required to submit a 500-word prospectus outlining their proposed lecture topic. The prospectus must be based on completed research and written work associated with a credit-bearing course. In addition, applicants must submit two faculty references.
The selected Edward T. Breathitt Undergraduate Lecturer will receive a special award and an honorarium of $500. They will present their lecture to the community on April 9.
Applications are due Monday, March 2, and can be found online. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application as soon as possible following the deadline.
More information about the application process and past Breathitt Lecture topics can be found on the Gaines Center for the Humanities website. For additional details, contact the Gaines Center at 859-257-1537.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.