Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship
The Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship supports early-stage doctoral students pursuing bold, interdisciplinary research in the humanities and interpretive social sciences.
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Funder: American Council of Learned Societies
Due Dates: October 28, 2026: Application Deadline
Funding Amounts: $42,000 stipend for 1 year, plus up to $8,000 for research, training, and professional development, and $2,000 for external mentorship
Summary: Supports early-stage doctoral students in the humanities and interpretive social sciences undertaking innovative, boundary-expanding dissertation research.
Key Information: For PhD students who have not advanced to candidacy before January 1, 2026; projects must not be well underway.
Description
The fellowship supports doctoral students in the humanities and interpretive social sciences who are developing bold, innovative dissertation projects. It aims to expand traditional boundaries of doctoral research by encouraging new methodologies, creative formats, interdisciplinary approaches, and community engagement. The program is designed for students at a formative stage of their dissertation work, providing time and resources to explore novel directions and build diverse advisory networks, including external mentorship. ACLS emphasizes inclusive excellence and welcomes projects engaging underrepresented communities, topics, or perspectives.
