The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has officially launched its 2026–2027 Fellowship and Grant competitions, offering funding opportunities for graduate students, doctoral candidates, early-career researchers, faculty members, and public scholars in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. The 2026–27 competition cycle includes fellowships, dissertation awards, research grants, digital scholarship funding, internships, and public engagement opportunities across multiple disciplines.
About the American Council of Learned Societies
Founded in 1919, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of scholarly organizations dedicated to advancing research in the humanities and social sciences. For over a century, ACLS has supported scholars worldwide through fellowships, grants, professional development, and research collaborations that strengthen academic excellence and public knowledge.
Fields Supported
The fellowships and grants support research across numerous disciplines, including:
- History
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Economics
- Archaeology
- Geography
- Gender Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Art History
- Film and Media Studies
- Musicology
- Linguistics
- Psychology
- Communication
- Digital Humanities
- Public Humanities
Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research proposals are also encouraged.
Available Fellowships and Grants
The 2026–27 competition includes opportunities such as:
- ACLS Fellowships
- Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships
- Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art
- Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies
- Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies
- ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships
- ACLS HBCU Project Grants
- ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants
- ACLS Digital Justice Seed Grants
- ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships
- ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future
- Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Fellowships and Grants in Buddhist Studies
- Public Impact Grants
- Buddhism Public Scholars Programme
- Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe
Benefits
Depending on the programme, successful applicants may receive:
- Research funding
- Living stipends
- Tuition support (selected programmes)
- Professional mentoring
- Networking with international scholars
- Workshops and conferences
- Career development opportunities
- Public engagement support
- Access to international research communities
Some flagship ACLS Fellowships provide awards of up to US$60,000 for six to twelve months of full-time research and writing.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility varies by programme, but opportunities are available for:
- Graduate students
- Doctoral candidates
- PhD researchers
- Early-career academics
- University faculty
- Independent scholars
- Public humanities professionals
- Researchers in humanities and interpretive social sciences
Applicants should carefully review the specific eligibility requirements for each competition before applying.
2026–27 Application Deadlines
Key deadlines include:
| Deadline | Programme |
|---|---|
| 17 September 2026 | ACLS Fellowships |
| 28 October 2026 | Dissertation Fellowships, Summer Institute, Buddhist Studies Fellowships |
| 5 November 2026 | China Studies Fellowships and Travel Grants |
| 11 November 2026 | HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants |
| 20 November 2026 | Digital Justice Grants and Public Impact Grants |
| 13 January 2027 | Graduate Internships |
| 1 February 2027 | New Professorships in Buddhist Studies |
| 10 March 2027 | ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships |
| 2 April 2027 | Buddhism Public Scholars Programme |
All applications close at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on their respective deadlines.
Why Apply?
ACLS programmes are internationally respected and provide scholars with funding, protected research time, mentorship, and access to extensive academic and professional networks. They are designed to advance innovative research while promoting public engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration across the humanities and social sciences.
Final Thoughts
The American Council of Learned Societies 2026–27 Fellowship and Grant competitions represent one of the largest annual funding initiatives for scholars in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Whether you are completing a dissertation, launching an academic career, leading innovative digital scholarship, or pursuing research with public impact, the ACLS portfolio offers opportunities to secure funding, build international collaborations, and advance meaningful scholarship.
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