ACLS invites applications for Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art, which support graduate students pursuing research on the history of art and visual culture of the United States, including all aspects of Native American art, and who are at any stage of PhD dissertation research or writing. ACLS believes that humanistic scholarship is strengthened by the inclusion of a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. ACLS encourages applications from PhD candidates from all degree-granting institutions in the United States.
The program offers seven fellowships for a non-renewable, continuous nine- to twelve-month term to be held between July 2026 and May 2027. The fellowships may be carried out in residence at the fellow’s home institution or any other appropriate site for the research. The fellowships may not be used to defray tuition costs or be held concurrently with any other major fellowship or grant. The entire fellowship term must conclude before the fellow receives the PhD.
The total award of $42,500 includes a stipend and additional funds for travel and research. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation.
ACLS welcomes applications from all eligible doctoral students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, age, or any other aspect of identity.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be a doctoral student at a university in the United States in art history or a related field, such as Native American and Indigenous studies, ethnic studies, or African American studies. (Students preparing theses for the Master of Fine Arts degree are not eligible.)
- have a dissertation focused on a topic in the history of the visual arts of the United States, including all facets of Native American art. Projects should be focused foremost on the art object and/or image and employ an art-historical or visual studies approach.
- have completed all requirements for the PhD except the dissertation before beginning fellowship tenure.
- have not previously applied for this fellowship more than once.
- be a US citizen, permanent resident, Indigenous person residing in the United States through rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794, DACA recipient, asylee, refugee, or individual granted Temporary Protected Status in the United States.