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The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) 2026–27 Fellowships and Grants

Muhammad Chishti
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About the American Council of Learned Societies

The American Council of Learned Societies is a nonprofit federation representing scholarly organizations in the humanities and social sciences. It works with scholars, universities, learned societies, foundations and other institutions to strengthen research, scholarly communication and the broader infrastructure supporting knowledge production.

ACLS supports research in fields such as history, philosophy, religious studies, literature, linguistics, anthropology, archaeology, sociology, political science, economics, gender studies, ethnic studies, legal studies, geography, art history, architectural history, film and media studies, musicology, psychology, science and technology studies, communication, theatre and performance studies.

Research in the social sciences is generally expected to use humanistic, qualitative or interpretive approaches. Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary projects are also welcomed across many ACLS programs.

In addition to financial assistance, ACLS programs may connect award recipients with:

Awardees are selected through peer-review committees composed of scholars appointed to evaluate applications under the relevant program criteria.

Important Information About the 2026–27 ACLS Competition Cycle

Application deadlines differ by competition. However, ACLS has confirmed that every competition in the 2026–27 cycle will close at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on its respective deadline.

Applicants should not assume that a deadline extends until midnight. Applications must be fully completed, uploaded and submitted before 5:00 PM ET. Saving an incomplete application in the online system does not constitute submission.

ACLS also states that its application, peer-review and award-management processes are intended to promote inclusive excellence and broaden access to research support across the academic humanities and higher-education sector.

Complete ACLS 2026–27 Application Deadline Calendar

September 17, 2026

October 28, 2026

November 5, 2026

November 11, 2026

November 20, 2026

January 13, 2027

February 1, 2027

March 10, 2027

April 2, 2027

All the deadlines listed above are scheduled to close at 5:00 PM ET.

ACLS Fellowships

Application deadline: September 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The ACLS Fellowship is one of the organization’s principal research-support programs. It is designed to provide scholars with sustained time to undertake research and writing in the humanities and interpretive social sciences.

The program supports projects from different disciplines, historical periods, regions and methodological traditions. Proposed outputs may include:

The latest published program information identifies a maximum award of US$60,000, with support generally structured around six to twelve months of full-time research or writing. Shorter award periods may receive proportionately adjusted funding.

Applicants should carefully review the updated 2026–27 competition page because award periods, documentation requirements and other administrative details can change between cycles.

Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art

Application deadline: October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art support advanced doctoral research relating to the history of the visual arts of the United States.

The program has operated through a long-standing partnership between ACLS and the Henry Luce Foundation. It contributes to the development of emerging scholars working on American art, including research that broadens the geographic, cultural, methodological and historical boundaries of the field.

Projects may examine subjects such as:

The fellowship is intended to help recipients complete significant dissertation research and writing while developing their contribution to the field of art history.

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships

Application deadline: October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship supports doctoral researchers developing ambitious and methodologically innovative dissertation projects in the humanities and interpretive social sciences.

The program intervenes during the formative stages of dissertation development, before the research and writing process is substantially advanced. It encourages scholars to reconsider conventional assumptions about what a dissertation can examine, how research can be conducted and what formats scholarly work can take.

Proposals may involve:

Published program information describes a US$42,000 base stipend, additional project-related funding of up to US$8,000, and separate support for external mentorship. Applicants must rely on the updated 2026–27 guidelines for the final award structure and eligible expenditure rules.

Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe

Application deadline: October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe provides an intensive environment for research, writing, fieldwork and interdisciplinary scholarly exchange.

The initiative is organized by ACLS in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia. Previous institutes have brought together researchers from Eastern Europe and North America for a focused residency in Bulgaria.

The institute is intended to encourage:

With renewed support, the initiative is continuing through 2026 and 2027.

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Dissertation Fellowships in Buddhist Studies

Application deadline: October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Dissertation Fellowships in Buddhist Studies form part of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies administered by ACLS.

The program supports the academic study of Buddhism across different regions, historical periods, languages, intellectual traditions and methodological approaches.

Research may address areas such as:

The dissertation fellowships are intended to help researchers make substantial progress toward completing original doctoral work in Buddhist Studies.

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships in Buddhist Studies

Application deadline: October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Early Career Research Fellowships support emerging researchers undertaking significant new work relating to Buddhist traditions.

The fellowships can provide time for research, writing, translation and the development of scholarly outputs. All topics, periods and methodological approaches within Buddhist Studies may be considered, subject to the detailed requirements of the competition.

The wider Ho Family Foundation program also helps strengthen international scholarly networks, improve the visibility of new Buddhist Studies research and connect scholars with communities of practice and broader public audiences.

Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies

Application deadline: November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

Two Early Career Fellowship options will be available under the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies:

  1. Long-Term Early Career Fellowship
  2. Flexible Early Career Fellowship

Both programs seek to promote high-quality research on China, Chinese cultures, histories, societies and communities. They also aim to strengthen scholarly networks and contribute to informed public understanding of China.

Long-Term Fellowship

The long-term option is intended for research and writing projects requiring a sustained period of concentrated work. This may include archival research, fieldwork, data collection, manuscript preparation or the completion of a major scholarly output.

Flexible Fellowship

The flexible option is designed for projects that can be undertaken through shorter periods of work distributed across a broader timeframe. This structure may be useful where continuous leave from professional responsibilities is not practical.

Applicants should compare the two options carefully and select the structure that corresponds to their research plan, institutional responsibilities and proposed outputs.

Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies

Application deadline: November 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies provide targeted assistance for research-related travel.

Depending on the updated guidelines, relevant activities may include:

Applicants should provide a clear connection between the proposed travel, the research objectives and the expected scholarly outcome.

ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships

Application deadline: November 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships provide substantial support for faculty research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The fellowships are designed for projects requiring sustained research engagement. Funding may be used to create meaningful time and conditions for scholarship through:

Published information describes fellowship awards ranging from US$30,000 to US$50,000, depending on the proposed budget and research plan. The objective is not simply to fund isolated expenses, but to enable substantial advancement of a research-grounded project.

Potential outcomes may include academic publications, public humanities projects, community-engaged scholarship, pedagogical resources, digital projects or creative work grounded in scholarly research.

ACLS Project Grants for HBCU Faculty

Application deadline: November 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The ACLS Project Grants for HBCU Faculty support early-stage project design and smaller-scale research development.

Unlike the longer fellowship model, these grants are particularly suitable for exploratory work or a defined stage of a broader project. Funding may help recipients:

The latest published program description provides grants of up to US$10,000.

Applicants should choose between the HBCU fellowship and project grant according to the scale, maturity, timeframe and financial requirements of the proposed work.

ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants

Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants support established digital humanities projects seeking to deepen their intellectual, technical, institutional or community impact.

The Digital Justice program is intended to advance digital scholarship while addressing structural inequalities affecting access, representation, participation and control within digital knowledge systems.

Development-stage projects may seek support to:

Applicants should demonstrate how their project advances both scholarly value and principles of digital justice.

ACLS Digital Justice Seed Grants

Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Digital Justice Seed Grants are intended for projects at an earlier stage of planning or development.

Seed support can help teams move from an initial idea toward a viable digital humanities initiative by funding activities such as:

A competitive proposal should explain the problem being addressed, the people or communities involved, the proposed digital approach and how the seed-funded work will prepare the project for responsible long-term development.

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Public Impact Grants in Buddhist Studies

Application deadline: November 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET

The Public Impact Grants support initiatives that communicate Buddhist Studies research to audiences beyond specialist academic communities.

Projects may involve partnerships between researchers, educators, cultural organizations, religious communities, museums, publishers or public-facing institutions.

Possible outputs may include:

Projects should combine credible scholarship with a clearly defined public purpose, audience and communication strategy.

ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future

Application deadline: January 13, 2027, at 5:00 PM ET

The Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future connect doctoral research concerning religion with practical experience outside conventional academic settings.

The initiative explores how religious communities, spiritual practices, civic organizations and public institutions contribute to social connection, meaning, care and collective life.

Internship placements may allow participants to apply research, analysis, writing and communication skills to real organizational challenges while gaining experience in possible careers beyond the university.

The program is particularly relevant to research concerning:

The precise placement structure and participating organizations should be confirmed through the updated competition materials.

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies

Application deadline: February 1, 2027, at 5:00 PM ET

The New Professorships program supports the institutional development of Buddhist Studies through the establishment of new teaching positions.

Rather than focusing solely on an individual research project, the initiative is intended to strengthen the long-term academic infrastructure of Buddhist Studies.

Support may help institutions:

Institutions considering an application should begin internal consultations early because proposals may require administrative approval, financial planning and evidence of long-term institutional support.

ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships

Application deadline: March 10, 2027, at 5:00 PM ET

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships connect humanities and interpretive social science expertise with nonprofit and public-interest organizations.

The program is designed to demonstrate how advanced humanistic research skills can contribute to work addressing social, cultural, policy and community challenges.

Fellows may apply their academic training to areas such as:

Participating host organizations and available positions normally vary by competition year. Prospective applicants should therefore review the 2027 position descriptions carefully rather than relying on roles offered in previous cycles.

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars

Application deadline: April 2, 2027, at 5:00 PM ET

The Buddhism Public Scholars initiative creates opportunities to apply expertise in Buddhist Studies within public-facing organizations.

It is intended to strengthen connections between academic knowledge and institutions that communicate with wider audiences.

Potential host environments may include:

Participants may undertake work involving research, editing, educational programming, exhibitions, public communication, digital content or community engagement.

Deadlines

The ACLS 2026–27 competition cycle includes several fellowships, research grants, institutional grants and internship opportunities. Each program has a separate application deadline.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the applicable deadline. Applicants should not wait until midnight or assume that all ACLS programs close on the same date.

Application Deadline Fellowship, Grant or Program
September 17, 2026 ACLS Fellowships
October 28, 2026 Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art
October 28, 2026 Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships
October 28, 2026 Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe
October 28, 2026 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Dissertation Fellowships in Buddhist Studies
October 28, 2026 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Early Career Research Fellowships in Buddhist Studies
November 5, 2026 Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Long-Term
November 5, 2026 Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Flexible
November 5, 2026 Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies
November 11, 2026 ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships
November 11, 2026 ACLS Project Grants for HBCU Faculty
November 20, 2026 ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants
November 20, 2026 ACLS Digital Justice Seed Grants
November 20, 2026 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Public Impact Grants in Buddhist Studies
January 13, 2027 ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future
February 1, 2027 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies
March 10, 2027 ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships
April 2, 2027 Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars

How to Prepare a Competitive ACLS Application

Although every competition has its own requirements, applicants can improve their preparation by following a structured process.

1. Select the correct program

Applicants should not select a competition simply because it provides a larger award. The program must match the project’s:

2. Read the current competition page and FAQ

Requirements can change from one year to the next. Previous application samples are useful for understanding structure, but they should not override the current 2026–27 guidelines.

Each applicant should verify:

3. Obtain an ORCID iD where required

ACLS states that many of its programs require applicants to have an ORCID iD. Applicants who do not already have one should arrange it before beginning the final submission process.

4. Define a clear research problem

A strong proposal should explain:

5. Develop a realistic work plan

The proposal and work plan must be consistent. Applicants should divide the project into achievable stages and explain when major activities will occur.

A work plan may include:

6. Prepare a justified budget

Where a budget is required, every major expense should be linked to a project activity or outcome.

Applicants should avoid:

7. Write for an interdisciplinary review committee

Peer reviewers may not be specialists in the applicant’s precise subfield. Proposals should therefore be academically rigorous without becoming inaccessible.

Specialized terminology should be explained, and the significance of the project should be understandable to scholars from related disciplines.

8. Submit before the final day

All 2026–27 competitions close at 5:00 PM ET. Applicants should allow sufficient time for:

Submitting several days before the deadline is safer than attempting to complete the application during the final hours.

Can Applicants Apply for More Than One ACLS Program?

ACLS states that individuals may apply to multiple programs during the same competition year as long as they independently satisfy the requirements of each competition.

However, an individual may accept no more than one ACLS fellowship within a single competition year. Applicants should therefore ensure that every application is genuinely aligned with the relevant program rather than submitting the same proposal indiscriminately across different competitions.

Important Notice About Program Updates

The July 13, 2026 announcement confirms the names and deadlines of the ACLS 2026–27 competitions. Some individual program pages may still display information from the preceding cycle while their updated guidelines are being published.

Applicants should treat the official 2026–27 competition page and FAQ for each program as the controlling source for:

Information from a previous cycle should not be used to make a final eligibility or submission decision. Apply Now.

Conclusion

The ACLS 2026–27 fellowship and grant competitions provide a substantial collection of opportunities for advancing humanities and social science research, doctoral development, digital scholarship, public engagement and institutional capacity.

With deadlines extending from September 17, 2026, to April 2, 2027, prospective applicants have different preparation periods depending on the program. The earliest deadline is for the ACLS Fellowships, while later competitions include institutional Buddhist Studies support, nonprofit career placements and public scholarship opportunities.

Applicants should begin by identifying the competition that most closely matches their project and professional stage. They should then review the updated guidelines, prepare a focused proposal, develop a realistic work plan and budget, and complete all required documents well before the 5:00 PM ET submission deadline.

The breadth of the 2026–27 competitions reflects ACLS’s continuing commitment to supporting rigorous scholarship, strengthening research communities and expanding the contribution of humanities and social science knowledge to institutions and the wider public.

For more global opportunities, VISIT HERE.

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