ACLS Fellowships 2025–26 — Major Grants for Humanities & Social Science Scholars

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) offers its flagship Fellowships annually to support outstanding scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. The 2025–26 fellowship cycle will award up to 60 fully funded fellowships, totaling more than $3.5 million, for intensive research and writing.

 Who Can Apply?

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous individuals residing in the U.S. via Jay Treaty, DACA recipients, asylees, refugees, or foreign nationals who have lived in the U.S. for at least three years
• PhD holders in the humanities or interpretive social sciences, conferred by the application deadline (Sept 25, 2025)
• Applicants may belong to any postdoctoral career stage; early-career scholars are prioritized, with half of the awards going to recent PhDs.

 What It Covers

• A stipend of $60,000 for a 12-month full-time research leave; prorated monthly ($5,000/month) for shorter terms, with a minimum award of $30,000
• Additional $3,000–$6,000 supplements for independent scholars, adjunct faculty, or teaching-intensive roles to support research, childcare, insurance, or conferences
• Long-term engagement options: Fellows choose 6–12 consecutive months anytime between July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027, with completion by Dec 31, 2027
• Portable awards: can be held at home institutions or other approved sites; some concurrent funding allowed within cap limits.

 Application Timeline

• Applications open: July 2025
• Deadline: September 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM EDT via ACLS’s OFA portal
• Selection announced: Mid‑March 2026
• ACLS may award $5,000 Project Development Grants to promising submissions not selected for full fellowship, especially those from teaching-intensive institutions.

Eligible Research & Project Types

• Open to proposals in any period or region, using any humanistic methodology. Projects may include monographs, critical editions, articles, digital research, or public humanities initiatives
• ACLS does not fund fiction, textbooks, pure translations, or primarily pedagogical projects
• Diversity and inclusion encouraged: ACLS values applicants from varied backgrounds, institutions, and perspectives.

 What Makes ACLS Fellowships Unique

• One of the most prestigious fellowships for humanities and social sciences scholars
• Allows scholars dedicated time and resources to focus solely on research and writing
• Offers financial flexibility and support regardless of institutional affiliation
• Supports inclusive excellence, with many awardees from non-R1 institutions and underrepresented backgrounds.

 Official Link