Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in History of Art and Visual Studies
Cornell's Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship supports research and limited teaching in pre-1000 AD comparative antiquity art history and visual culture, fostering interdisciplinary scholarship and academic engagement.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application) | January 2027 (Letter of degree conferral, if needed)
Funding Amounts: $64,000/year for two years; total $128,000. Two-year postdoctoral appointment.
Summary: A two-year postdoctoral fellowship for scholars in comparative antiquity, focusing on pre-1000 AD art history and visual culture, with research and limited teaching at Cornell.
Key Information: Eligibility restricted to Ph.D.s awarded after August 1, 2022 and by June 30, 2026; international applicants welcome.
Description
This fellowship, sponsored by the Society for the Humanities at Cornell University, offers a two-year postdoctoral appointment in the Department of History of Art and Visual Studies. It is intended for early-career scholars specializing in comparative antiquity, with a focus on art history and visual culture before 1000 AD. The fellowship supports independent research, limited teaching (one introductory lecture and one advanced seminar per year), and active participation in the Society for the Humanities’ events and seminars. Geographic specialization is open, with possible focus areas including the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, or Eurasian Steppe/Silk Road. The position is designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovative research on topics such as the intellectual status of the image, political functions of art, and visual theology.
