ACLS Fellowships

The ACLS Fellowships program is administered by the American Council of Learned Societies, a nonprofit federation of scholarly organizations founded in 1919 that represents the humanities and interpretive social sciences in the United States. The organization operates with the belief that knowledge is a public good and supports scholarship that advances understanding across cultures, time periods, and disciplines. Through its fellowship programs, ACLS provides financial support to scholars engaged in substantial research and writing projects, with the goal of contributing meaningful and original work to the humanities. The purpose of the ACLS Fellowships program is to enable scholars to devote sustained, full-time effort to research and writing in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. The fellowship supports projects at any stage of development, whether early conceptual work, ongoing research, or final writing. Projects may take many forms, including monographs, scholarly articles, digital humanities projects, critical editions, or other academic outputs. The program emphasizes intellectual significance, methodological rigor, and the potential to advance knowledge within and across disciplines. Funding through this program provides a stipend of up to 60000 dollars for a 12 month fellowship period, with a minimum of 30000 dollars for six months. Awards are prorated at a monthly rate for periods between six and twelve months. Additional supplements ranging from 3000 to 6000 dollars may be available to certain categories of scholars, such as independent researchers or those in teaching intensive roles, to offset costs like research expenses, conference participation, health insurance, or dependent care. The fellowship requires full-time commitment, meaning recipients may not engage in teaching or administrative duties during the award period. Eligibility for the fellowship includes scholars at all postdoctoral career stages who have earned a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences by the application deadline. Established scholars without a PhD may qualify if they demonstrate equivalent scholarly achievement. Applicants must meet specific residency or citizenship criteria, including being a US citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise legally residing in the United States under designated statuses. The program encourages applications from scholars across diverse backgrounds, institutions, and career paths, reflecting its commitment to inclusive excellence. The application process is conducted entirely online through the ACLS fellowship administration system. Applicants must submit a completed application form along with several required components, including a proposal, work plan, bibliography, publication list, and personal statement. Optional supporting materials such as images may also be included. The proposal must address both specialists and general audiences, demonstrating clarity, methodological soundness, and scholarly contribution. Strict formatting and page limits apply, and failure to comply may result in disqualification. Applications for the current cycle open in July 2026 and must be submitted by September 17, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time. Notification of results is expected by April 2027. The fellowship term must begin between July 1, 2027 and July 1, 2028 and conclude no later than December 31, 2028. The program operates on an annual cycle, and applicants may reapply in future cycles if not selected. Evaluation is conducted through a rigorous peer review process that considers the originality and significance of the project, the quality of the proposal, the feasibility of completion, and the applicant’s scholarly record. ACLS Fellowships also offer additional opportunities, including joint residential fellowships with the New York Public Library and eligibility for project development grants for certain applicants. While these require separate consideration or applications, they expand the scope of support available through the program. Overall, the ACLS Fellowships program represents a significant funding opportunity for scholars seeking dedicated time and resources to produce impactful research in the humanities.

Follow exact formatting rules. Ensure clarity in intellectual goals and contribution to scholarship. Include a feasible work plan.