Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award
Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award supports early-career faculty research on democracy, society, and education in the Americas while fostering campus leadership, mentoring, and inclusive communities.
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Funder: Institute for Citizens & Scholars
Due Dates: December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET (Application) | January 31, 2027 (Midpoint review completed) | Mid-March 2026 (Listed interview timing) | Mid-March 2027 (Award announcement)
Funding Amounts: $20,000 stipend: $12,000 for summer research support and $8,000 for academic-year research assistance
Summary: Supports emerging faculty scholarship on democracy, society, and education in the Americas alongside campus leadership, mentoring, and community-building.
Key Information: Applicants must be tenure-track assistant professors pursuing tenure and U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Description
The Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders Award is administered by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars in partnership with, and funded by, The Mellon Foundation. It supports early-career faculty researching contemporary American history, politics, culture, and society, with particular emphasis on humanities and social science scholarship that relates to or provides context for democracy, society, and education in the Americas.
The award recognizes the connection between research, teaching, and service. Alongside scholarly excellence, selectors prioritize campus leadership, student support, mentoring, and cross-campus collaboration that create vibrant, inclusive communities for students and scholars. Summer research support and academic-year research assistance help junior faculty balance scholarship, leadership, and mentoring while progressing toward tenure. Fellows also gain national recognition and join a network of scholars strengthening intellectual and civic life on their campuses.
