American Council of Learned Societies Opens 2026-27 Fellowship and Grant Competitions

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has launched its 2026-27 fellowship and grant competitions, offering financial support for scholars and projects in the humanities and social sciences. The initiative includes funding for traditional research and programs focused on public engagement beyond academia.

ACLS, which marks its 100th year of grantmaking, stated that its application and review processes are designed to promote inclusive excellence. The organization encourages applications from individuals belonging to groups that are underrepresented in the academic humanities and from diverse higher education institutions.

Application deadlines vary by program, with several already open. These include ACLS Fellowships, Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art, Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships, and ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Grants. More programs will open in the coming months, all with a deadline of 5:00 PM ET.

Key fellowship opportunities target dissertation research and early-career scholars in fields such as American art, Buddhist studies, and China studies. Additionally, grants are available for digital justice initiatives and for faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Specific application deadlines range from September to November 2026.