The Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies 2026–2027 is now accepting applications for its prestigious fellowships and grants designed to strengthen and reshape the future of China studies across North America. Administered by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) and generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, the program provides substantial funding, research support, mentorship opportunities, and professional development resources for graduate students, early-career scholars, and researchers working in China studies. As the academic landscape surrounding China continues to evolve, scholars increasingly face numerous challenges, including limited access to research materials, shrinking funding opportunities, geopolitical tensions, and barriers to academic collaboration. Recognizing these challenges, ACLS has redesigned the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies to better support researchers and ensure that China studies remains a vibrant, inclusive, and globally relevant field.

The program offers multiple funding opportunities ranging from travel grants to flexible and long-term fellowships, allowing scholars to pursue innovative research while contributing to public understanding of China, its history, cultures, societies, and global influence.

About the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies

Since its establishment in 2012, the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies has played an important role in supporting scholars throughout North America, particularly those in the early stages of their academic careers.

Following extensive consultations with researchers, universities, and stakeholders in 2023, ACLS redesigned the program to respond to the changing needs of the discipline. The new structure focuses not only on providing financial assistance but also on building stronger academic networks, expanding access to research resources, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering publicly engaged scholarship.

The program seeks to ensure that future generations of scholars have the resources, support systems, and institutional capacity necessary to produce meaningful research that benefits both academia and the broader public.

Program Objectives

The redesigned Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies is guided by three major goals:

1. Expand the Field of China Studies

The program seeks to broaden China studies by:

• Supporting diverse scholarly voices
• Encouraging new perspectives on Chinese history, society, and culture
• Promoting scholarship from researchers with varied educational and professional backgrounds
• Supporting institutions that have historically had fewer opportunities in the field

2. Build Sustainable Academic Infrastructure

The initiative aims to address long-term challenges affecting China studies by:

• Building stronger scholarly networks
• Supporting collaboration among researchers
• Developing lasting academic infrastructure
• Creating strategies that strengthen the future of the discipline

3. Promote Public Understanding

The program encourages research that helps the wider public better understand:

• China’s history
• Chinese cultures
• Contemporary Chinese society
• China’s influence on global communities
• China’s impact on international politics, economics, and culture

Fellowship and Grant Opportunities Available for 2026–2027

Applicants may apply for several funding opportunities depending on their academic stage and research needs.

1. Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies

These grants support travel related to China studies research.

Grant Value

• Up to $5,000

Duration

• Travel may take place at any point during a 12-month period.

Intended Applicants

• Graduate students
• Non-tenure-track researchers

These grants are ideal for scholars who need to:

• Visit archives
• Conduct field research
• Access specialized collections
• Collaborate with other researchers
• Participate in research-related activities

2. Flexible Early Career Fellowships

Designed specifically for scholars with demanding teaching or service responsibilities.

Fellowship Benefits

• $15,000 stipend
• No leave from employment is required

These fellowships allow recipients to:

• Conduct research
• Complete writing projects
• Prepare journal articles
• Develop books and manuscripts
• Advance scholarly publications

This opportunity is particularly valuable for faculty members whose teaching or institutional duties make long-term research leave difficult.

3. Long-Term Early Career Fellowships

These fellowships provide significant support for scholars who need dedicated time for research.

Fellowship Duration

• Four to nine months

Fellowship Funding

• Minimum stipend: $20,000
• Maximum stipend: $45,000

Recipients are expected to take full leave from university responsibilities in order to focus exclusively on research and writing leading toward a major scholarly publication.

Supported Academic Fields

The Luce/ACLS Program supports research in:

• Humanities
• Interpretive social sciences

Importantly:

• There are no restrictions regarding research methodology.
• There are no restrictions regarding historical time periods.

Researchers are encouraged to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary, and creative scholarship.

Publicly Engaged Scholarship

One of the defining features of the Luce/ACLS Program is its commitment to making academic knowledge accessible to wider audiences.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to design research projects that:

• Inform public understanding
• Increase public engagement with scholarship
• Make humanistic knowledge more accessible
• Demonstrate broader societal relevance

ACLS believes that scholarly knowledge should serve the public good rather than remain confined within academic institutions.

Mentorship and Professional Networking

Beyond financial support, fellows gain access to valuable networking opportunities.

The program hosts:

• Mentorship activities
• Professional networking events
• Alumni engagement
• Community-building opportunities

A networking and mentorship event will be organized alongside the Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference. Fellows selected for the 2026–2027 cohort will receive additional information in January 2027.

Luce/ACLS China Studies Digital Mapping Project

An important component of the program is the Luce/ACLS China Studies Digital Mapping Project.

This initiative seeks to improve scholarly access to important research materials by providing:

• A directory of significant Sinophone collections located outside mainland China
• A common access plan that helps researchers locate collections across participating institutions
• Best-practice resources for digitizing and preserving print collections

The Digital Mapping Project strengthens research infrastructure while improving long-term access to valuable historical and cultural resources.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Luce/ACLS Program recognizes diversity as an essential component of academic excellence.

The program actively seeks applicants representing diverse:

• Academic disciplines
• Institutional affiliations
• Educational backgrounds
• Personal experiences
• Research topics
• Historical periods
• Scholarly methodologies

Applications are welcomed without discrimination based on:

• Race
• Ethnicity
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Religion
• National origin
• Disability
• Age
• Other personal identities

Selection is based solely on academic merit and program eligibility.

Benefits of the Luce/ACLS Program

Successful applicants will benefit from:

• Funding of up to $45,000
• Research support
• Travel funding
• Dedicated writing time
• Professional mentorship
• Academic networking opportunities
• Participation in scholarly communities
• Access to valuable research resources
• Increased opportunities for publication
• Enhanced professional development

Interested applicants should click HERE to apply by selecting a favourable term of their choice and learn more.

Application Deadline

The following competitions share the same application deadline:

• Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Flexible
• Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Long-Term
• Luce/ACLS Travel Grants in China Studies

Application Deadline: November 5, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their application materials well before the deadline and carefully review the eligibility requirements for their chosen competition.

Contact Information

Applicants seeking additional information should review the respective competition pages or contact the program through the ACLS China Studies office.

Institutional administrators, including Offices of Sponsored Projects, are also encouraged to consult the general guidance provided by ACLS regarding institutional application procedures.

Conclusion

The Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies continues to serve as one of North America’s most significant funding initiatives for scholars studying China within the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Through its redesigned fellowships, grants, mentorship programs, and digital resource initiatives, ACLS is investing in the future of China studies by empowering researchers, promoting inclusive scholarship, and strengthening the academic infrastructure needed for long-term success. Whether you are a graduate student seeking travel support, an early-career academic balancing teaching responsibilities, or a recent PhD looking for dedicated research time, this program provides valuable financial assistance and professional opportunities to advance your scholarship. Interested applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and submit their applications before the November 5, 2026 deadline.

For more GLOBAL FELLOWSHIPS click HERE