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

April 2026 (Letter of Intent) | June 2026 (Full application)

Up to $150,000 per project (typically $25,000 per group member, up to six members) for 12–18 months

Supports innovative pilot projects that address key challenges and promote transformative, sustainable change in the field of China studies.

--- ## Description This grant supports collaborative pilot projects that tackle pressing challenges and foster long-term, transformative change in China studies. The program encourages international and cross-institutional partnerships, especially those that support under-resourced institutions and strengthen the next generation of China scholars. Funded activities may include developing new networks, pilot programs, scalable plans, or white papers, with an emphasis on actionable recommendations and sustainable strategies. Priority areas include productive engagement with China, teaching and curricular resources, open access initiatives, language training (especially for less commonly taught languages), and digital research methods. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026 (anticipated): Letter of Intent deadline - June 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $150,000 per project - Typically, $25,000 per group member (up to six members) - Project duration: 12–18 months - No indirect costs or institutional overhead permitted - Funds may be used for planning, living expenses, research costs, workshops, research leave, course releases, summer salary, research assistants, database access, and travel --- ## Eligibility - Project teams: Up to six members representing more than one institution - Principal Investigator: Must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in the humanities or interpretive social sciences and be based at a US or Canadian institution (e.g., college, museum, university, library) - Preference for teams that: - Include members from both well-resourced and under-resourced institutions - Represent a range of academic roles (e.g., administrators, adjunct faculty, language specialists, graduate students, librarians, digital humanities experts) - Involve scholars from institutions outside the US - Demonstrate diversity in backgrounds, disciplines, and approaches - Engage with diaspora and at-risk researchers --- ## Application Process - All teams must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) before being invited to submit a full proposal - LOI requirements: - PI contact information - Project summary (1 page) - Preliminary team list and collaboration plan (1 page) - Full proposal (by invitation) requirements: - PI contact information and project abstract - Detailed proposal (up to 5 pages), including project description, workplan, collaboration details, and sustainability plan - Project timeline (1 page) - Budget and justification (2 pages) - Team member roles and 2-page CVs for all members - Institutional support letter (if funds are managed by a host institution) - Applications must be submitted via the online application form, as a single PDF in English (Arial or Helvetica, 11-point font) - Final report required at project completion --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds can be disbursed either to a host institution (US/Canada-based) or as separate awards to individual team members - Equitable distribution of funds among team members is required, considering institutional resources - Direct administrative costs (e.g., office expenses, space rental, honoraria) are allowed, but not institutional overhead - Projects must be initiated within the specified window and completed by the required end date --- ## External Links - [Program Competition Page](https://www.acls.org/competitions/luce-acls-collaborative-grant-in-china-studies/) - [Program in China Studies Overview](https://www.acls.org/programs/luce-acls-program-in-china-studies/) - [China Studies FAQs](https://www.acls.org/faqs/faq-henry-luce-foundation-acls-program-in-china-studies/) - [China Studies in an Uncertain Age Report](https://www.acls.org/resources/china-studies-in-an-uncertain-age-2/) - [Digital Mapping Project](https://www.acls.org/resources/luce-acls-program-in-china-studies-digital-mapping-project/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | chinastudies@acls.org | | Funder Phone | 212-697-1505 | | Funder Support Page | [ACLS Support](https://www.acls.org/support/) |

Luce/ACLS Collaborative Grant in China Studies - American Council of Learned Societies

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