For Faculty

For the Fall 2027 program, eligibility for this program is limited to scholars who are legal residents of the United States. We are especially interested in applications from scholars who hold expertise in areas outside of the Holocaust. The purpose of this program is to draw additional areas of expertise and disciplinary approaches to Keene State College rather than duplicating existing strengths. The Visiting Scholar would be required to be in residence in the Monadnock region from at least August 16, 2027, until December 21, 2027.

Additionally, applicants to the Cohen Institute’s Visiting Scholars Program must:

• Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree by the time of their projected start date;

• Demonstrate an active scholarly interest in topics related to Holocaust Studies and/or Genocide Studies;

• Applicants must have the ability to work in the U.S. on an unrestricted basis. We are not able to provide sponsorships for applicants.

• Additional details are provided in the online application and position description.

Applications must be submitted online by December 4, 2026, to be given full consideration by the selection committee. Interviewing will happen via Zoom in January 2027 and applicants will be notified of the Institute’s final decision no later than March 1, 2027. The application should consist of the following documents:

• A cover letter, including a statement addressing why the Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies is an appropriate setting for their work. This letter should also address the specific ideas that the applicant has for public-facing events as well as what they hope to gain from the Visiting Scholar experience.

• A brief description of the proposed special topics course they would teach within the Department of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, including: a summary of the course, the course outcomes, and a proposed reading list. Please note that this would be offered as a special topics course for undergraduate students. An ideal course would be one that expands beyond the Department’s current offerings to contribute new geographic or other expertise to our undergraduates’ studies. A list of existing courses in the department can be provided upon request. The course topic and description require approval from the academic dean and department members.

• A current C.V.

• Contact information for 3 professional references who can speak to the applicant’s suitability for this position.

Questions about the Visiting Scholar Program should be addressed to Associate Professor Dana Smith (Holocaust and Genocide Studies), Assistant Director of Research at the Cohen Institute.

The Cohen Institute Specialist program is a short-term (one year with possible renewal) service opportunity that will support, amplify, and complement faculty service obligations. The program offers funding for selected faculty members to design, organize, and implement community-based programming. Specialists are expected to actively contribute to the Institute’s growth by sharing their expertise and enhancing the Institute’s public-facing work.

Cohen Institute Specialists will collaborate with Institute staff members to develop, promote, and implement at least one public-facing project or event. This may entail sharing their specialized knowledge through a workshop, lecture, or other program that is geared towards the broader public in some way. Applicants should have a specific topic and event/project in mind at the time of their application. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Institute is especially open to proposals that align with our theme for the year: “Genocide and the Environment.” This program is a great point of entry for KSC faculty members who are interested in becoming involved with the Institute’s work and/or who have a smaller-scale project or event they would like to pilot.

Additionally, Cohen Institute Specialists are asked to serve as peer reviewers for the Institute’s educational resources, helping ensure the quality, accuracy, and effectiveness of those materials. The Cohen Institute Specialist program underscores the Institute’s commitment to fostering a dynamic, engaged academic community that directly benefits both the institution and the broader community.

The Institute plans to fund up to six Specialists during the 2026-2027 academic year. All faculty (from any department across the University System of New Hampshire) – including tenured, tenure track, and adjunct faculty – are eligible to submit an application, and funding can support up to $500 per Specialist. Funding proposals should indicate how the funds would be used (supplies, travel, a stipend for the researcher, etc.) Please see additional application details below.

The Cohen Institute Scholar program is a short-term (one year with possible renewal) opportunity designed to support and elevate the scholarly pursuits of University System of New Hampshire faculty. This program will empower faculty to engage in creative, interdisciplinary research and scholarly endeavors that will serve to advance academic conversations about Holocaust and genocide studies. Furthermore, Scholars will be expected to translate their scholarly work into at least one substantial public-facing event or deliverable. This event or deliverable will be designed, organized, and implemented with Institute staff input and support.

The Cohen Institute Scholars will receive dedicated funding and resources to support their innovative research during their term. Additionally, though it is not required, faculty applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that include undergraduate students as research partners. Separate funding is available for student researchers through the Institute’s Student Scholar program, but we encourage proposals that support faculty-student research teams. This program encourages faculty to explore bold ideas and produce innovative work that benefits academic and local communities.

The Institute plans to fund up to two Scholars during the 2026-2027 academic year. Strong proposals will indicate how the funding will sustain research over the course of the full academic year, so faculty on sabbatical for one or more semesters are not eligible to apply. Otherwise, all faculty (from any department across the University of New Hampshire System) are welcome to submit an application, and a maximum of $8,000 in funding can be requested. Funding proposals should indicate how the funds would be used (supplies, travel, a stipend for the researcher, etc.) Please see additional application details below.

Applications for both programs during the 2026-2027 academic year are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. If you have any questions, please email coheninstitute@keene.edu.

APPLY HERE

Applicants should submit the following:

1. A project proposal (three pages maximum). The proposal should outline the project idea, rationale, implications, and connection to the Cohen Institute’s mission and/or initiatives.
2. Their current curriculum vitae
3. A detailed budget indicating how the funds will be utilized to carry out the project.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications will be reviewed by the Director of the Cohen Institute, the Institute’s Assistant Director of Research, and other members of the Institute staff as appropriate.

Decisions will be rendered and announced by the end of the spring semester.

USNH faculty who are considering applying to one or both of these programs are encouraged to reach out to the Cohen Institute team in advance of the deadline with any questions. The best point person to answer questions about these two programs is the Institute’s Assistant Director of Research, Prof. Dana Smith.