[American Council of Learned Societies](https://www.acls.org)

March 31, 2026 (Letter of Intent, 9:00 PM EDT) | June 11, 2026 (Full proposal)

Up to $120,000 per project (approx. $20,000 per group member, max 6 members), for 12–18 months.

Supports collaborative, innovative pilot projects to address critical challenges and strengthen scholarly infrastructure in China studies.

--- ## Description This grant supports collaborative teams designing and implementing pilot initiatives to address key challenges facing the field of China studies. Projects are expected to generate scalable and sustainable solutions that enhance scholarly infrastructure, such as new training programs, open access platforms, institutional partnerships, or curricular resources. Priority is given to international and inter-institutional collaborations, support for under-resourced institutions, and resources that benefit the next generation of China scholars. The program emphasizes productive engagement with policymakers and civil society, the expansion of open access resources, language training, and research innovation. Projects should not focus primarily on producing traditional scholarly volumes or conferences. --- ## Due Dates - **March 31, 2026**: Letter of Intent deadline (LOI), submitted by 9:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time - **June 11, 2026**: Full proposal deadline All project teams must submit a Letter of Intent to be considered for invitation to the full proposal stage. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** Up to $120,000 per project (approximately $20,000 per group member, up to six members) - **Project duration:** 12–18 months - **Project start:** Must begin between September 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026 - **Project completion:** No later than June 30, 2028 - **Allowable costs:** Planning activities, living expenses, research costs (including research assistants, database access, travel), workshops, research leave, course releases, and summer salary - **Disbursement:** Funds may be distributed to a host institution (US or Canada-based) or as separate awards to individual team members - **No indirect costs or institutional overhead permitted** --- ## Eligibility - **Team composition:** Up to six members, representing more than one institution - **Principal Investigator:** Must hold a PhD (or equivalent scholarly record) in the humanities or social sciences and be based at a US or Canadian institution (college, museum, university, or library) - **Team diversity:** Preference for teams that include members from both well-resourced and under-resourced institutions, a range of academic backgrounds, and international collaborators (including scholars based outside the US) - **Host institution:** Must be US or Canada-based if administering the grant centrally - **Project scope:** Must address field-wide challenges in China studies; projects focused on producing traditional scholarly books or conferences are not eligible --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Due by March 31, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT - Submit via the [online application form](https://ofa.acls.org/proposal/collaborative-loi/) - Components: PI contact information, draft project narrative (max 1 page), preliminary team list and collaboration plan (max 1 page) - LOIs are reviewed; selected teams receive feedback and may be invited to submit a full proposal 2. **Full Proposal:** - Due June 11, 2026 (by invitation only) - Components: PI and team information, abstract, detailed proposal (max 5 pages), project timeline, budget and justification, team CVs, institutional statement of support (if funds are centrally administered) - Proposals must address project rationale, workplan, collaboration, sustainability, and equitable distribution of resources 3. **Submission requirements:** - All materials in English, Arial or Helvetica 11-point font, single PDF upload 4. **Reports:** Midterm and final reports required --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be initiated between September 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, with all activities completed by June 30, 2028. - No indirect costs or institutional overhead are permitted. - Grant funds must be distributed equitably among team members, considering institutional resources and team roles. - Other support for the project may be accepted. - Institutional statement of support required if funds are administered through a host institution; not required for individual disbursements. - For detailed program priorities and successful project examples, review the [China Studies in an Uncertain Age report](https://www.acls.org/resources/china-studies-in-an-uncertain-age-2/) and [Digital Mapping Project](https://www.acls.org/resources/luce-acls-program-in-china-studies-digital-mapping-project/). --- ## External Links - [Program page and full guidelines](https://www.acls.org/competitions/luce-acls-collaborative-grant-in-china-studies/) - [Online application portal (LOI)](https://ofa.acls.org/proposal/collaborative-loi/) - [Program in China Studies overview](https://www.acls.org/programs/luce-acls-program-in-china-studies/) - [China Studies in an Uncertain Age report](https://www.acls.org/resources/china-studies-in-an-uncertain-age-2/) - [FAQs for applicants](https://www.acls.org/faqs/faq-henry-luce-foundation-acls-program-in-china-studies/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Email | [chinastudies@acls.org](mailto:chinastudies@acls.org) | | Phone | 212-697-1505 | | Support/FAQs | [Contact & Support Page](https://www.acls.org/support/) |

Luce/ACLS Collaborative Grant in China Studies

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