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Probably not open to students in Gaza: Only for PhD students enrolled in humanities or social science departments at universities in the United States.
American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), with a grant from the Mellon Foundation
Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship 2026–27
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A fellowship for doctoral students to develop dissertation research that expands traditional research approaches through new methodologies, formats, and collaborations. It supports research, training, professional development, and external mentorship.
Do I qualify Probably not open to students in Gaza
Do I qualify
The eligibility details below come from the captured scholarship source. Compare them with your circumstances and the provider page.
Everyone needs
- degree PhD student Exact current official rule
- institution United States Exact current official rule
- enrolment enrolled full-time Exact current official rule
- degree at least 2 years completed by fellowship start Exact current official rule
- degree all required PhD coursework completed by fellowship start Exact current official rule
- career stage must not have advanced to PhD candidacy/ABD before 2026-01-01 Exact current official rule
- no more than 1 previous application Exact current official rule
- degree intend to complete dissertation after 2029-05-31 Exact current official rule
+7 more requirements
- available for 9-12 months of sustained specialized research and training Exact current official rule
- released from normal coursework, assistantships, and all teaching responsibilities during the fellowship Exact current official rule
- citizenship citizenship and permanent residency are not eligibility restrictions Exact current official rule
- Not open to: holding another fellowship or grant concurrently Exact current official rule
- Not open to: teaching or research assistantships; other major fellowships; internships; or similar internal or external aw… Exact current official rule
- Not open to: degree professional or applied PhDs, terminal degrees that are not PhDs, including EdD and MFA Exact current official rule
- Not open to: PhDs outside humanities and interpretive social science departments, business, clinical or counseling psychol… Exact current official rule
These depend on how you qualify. The provider describes 2 ways, and you will not need all of them. The official page shows which applies to you.
- humanities department Exact current official rule
- social science department Exact current official rule
Preferences and flexible criteria (1)
- thoughtful engagement with historically underrepresented or understudied communities or topics
Not open to:
any other fellowship or grant; teaching or research assistantships, other major fellowships, internships, or similar internal or external awards; professional or applied PhDs; terminal degrees that are not a PhD (such as an EdD or MFA); PhDs outside of humanities and interpretive social science depa…
any other fellowship or grant; teaching or research assistantships, other major fellowships, internships, or similar internal or external awards; professional or applied PhDs; terminal degrees that are not a PhD (such as an EdD or MFA); PhDs outside of humanities and interpretive social science departments, including business, clinical or counseling psychology, creative or performing arts, education, engineering, filmmaking, law, library and information sciences, life/physical sciences, public administration, public health or medicine, public policy, social work, or social welfareShow the full text
- Who is eligible
- citizenship and permanent residency are not eligibility restrictions
- Level of study
- PhD
- Fields of study
- Arts and humanities, Social sciences
What's covered Stipend only
- Funding type
- Stipend only
- Funding details
- Award: $42,000 base stipend for the fellowship year, plus up to $8,000 for project-related research, training, development, and travel costs.; The total award includes a $42,000 base stipend for the fellowship year; The fellowship stipend may not be used for tuition or fees; An additional $2,000 is available as a stipend for the external mentor.; up to $3,000 for research and travel; up to $5,000 in professional development funds; will waive or cover tuition and fees; tuition, and fees for conferences, courses, workshops, and trainings related to your project
- Duration
- 1 year
- Host country
- Multiple
- Host institution
- No single host institution is specified. The fellowship may be undertaken at the fellow’s home institution or another appropriate research site; an optional enhancement offers residence at selected CHCI member organizations.
What I need Not listed here
- In-person requirements
- Optional in-person activity
The full document list lives on the official page — we do not republish it, because it changes between cycles.
Apply On acls.org
How to apply
The application information below summarizes the captured scholarship source. Review the provider page before submitting.
- If new to OFA, create an account; otherwise log in to the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration System. Required
- Complete the official online fellowship application form and prepare the application materials: proposal, timeline using the ACLS template, bibliography, personal statement, and work sample. Optional: include up to two additional pages of unannotated supporting non-text materials. Required
- Ensure the application package includes one recommendation letter from the dissertation advisor or a faculty member eligible to serve as the advisor, and a statement from the applicant’s institution. Required
- Submit the completed application through the ACLS online fellowship administration system by the deadline. Required
- Deadline
- 28 October 2026
- Deadline timezone
- ET
- Application cycle
- 2026 application cycle
- Notes
- An external mentor must be designated by the start of the fellowship term. Fellows may not hold another fellowship or grant concurrently. The optional CHCI residence enhancement does not require a separate application.
Details to confirm
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