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

October 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)

$38,000 stipend plus up to $4,500 for travel/research (total $42,500); 9–12 month term

Supports PhD students researching U.S. art history and visual culture, including Native American art, with nine- to twelve-month fellowships.

--- ## Description The Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art provide support to graduate students pursuing research on the history of art and visual culture of the United States, including all facets of Native American art. The program is open to PhD candidates at any stage of dissertation research or writing and is designed to encourage a diversity of scholarly perspectives and backgrounds. Seven fellowships are awarded annually for a continuous nine- to twelve-month term, which may be spent at the recipient’s home institution or another suitable research site. Projects must employ art-historical or visual studies approaches and focus on the art object or image. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated/projected full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Stipend: $38,000 - Additional allowance: Up to $4,500 for travel and research - Total award: $42,500 - Fellowship duration: 9–12 months (to be held for a continuous period between July 2027 and June 2028, based on projected cycle) - The fellowship may not be renewed or held concurrently with another major fellowship or grant. --- ## Eligibility - Must be a doctoral student at a U.S. university in art history or a related field (e.g., Native American and Indigenous studies, ethnic studies, African American studies). - Dissertation must focus on the history of the visual arts of the United States, including all aspects of Native American art, with an art-historical or visual studies approach. - Must have completed all requirements for the PhD except the dissertation before beginning fellowship tenure. - May not have previously applied for this fellowship more than once. - Citizenship/Residency: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous persons residing in the U.S. through Jay Treaty rights, DACA recipients, asylees, refugees, or individuals granted Temporary Protected Status. - Not open to MFA students or those preparing MFA theses. --- ## Application Process - Submit applications online through the ACLS fellowship and grant administration system. - Required materials: - Completed application form - Project proposal (max 8 pages, must include at least three images) - Annotated bibliography (max 4 pages, 10 key secondary sources) - List of publications, exhibitions, presentations, and scholarly/university service (optional, max 1 page) - Two reference letters (one from dissertation advisor) - Institutional statement confirming doctoral candidacy, tuition/fee waiver, and research resource access - ORCID iD (required) - Transcripts are not required. --- ## Additional Information - The fellowship cannot be used to defray tuition costs. - The entire fellowship term must conclude before the recipient receives the PhD. - Awardees are selected based on the quality and potential impact of their project, methodological rigor, and scholarly record, with attention to diversity and inclusive excellence. - For further guidance, applicants can consult the [ACLS proposal writing guide](https://www.acls.org/competitions/acls-fellowships/writing-fellowship-proposals-2/) and view the [recorded webinar](https://youtu.be/DcfSszafVVU). --- ## External Links - [Program page and application instructions](https://www.acls.org/competitions/luce-acls-dissertation-fellowships-in-american-art/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.acls.org/faqs/faq-luce-acls-dissertation-fellowships-in-american-art/) - [ACLS grants and competitions](https://www.acls.org/competitions-and-deadlines/) - [ORCID information](https://info.orcid.org/what-is-orcid/) - [Proposal writing guide](https://www.acls.org/competitions/acls-fellowships/writing-fellowship-proposals-2/) - [Webinar: Competition guidelines](https://youtu.be/DcfSszafVVU) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Phone | 212-697-1505 | | Support Page | [ACLS Contact/Support](https://www.acls.org/support/) | | Address | 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017-6706, United States |

Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art - American Council of Learned Societies

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