The Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies promotes inclusion, equity, and diversity as integral components of merit that enhance the scholarly enterprise. It is a priority that every cohort of fellows and grantees be broadly inclusive of different backgrounds, cultures, and any aspects that make one unique. In China studies, ACLS seeks a wide range of educational backgrounds, unique personal experiences, and current university affiliations, as well as disciplinary approaches, topics, and historical periods studied. The program welcomes applications from all eligible individuals, and selection is made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, age, or any other aspect of identity.
Flexible research fellowships will enable recent PhDs (without tenure and within eight years of the PhD) with heavy teaching and service responsibilities to carry out research and writing towards a significant scholarly product.
Scholars who are unable to take leave from their institutions are strongly encouraged to apply for the Flexible fellowship.
Possible project outcomes include, but are not limited to, contributions to the development of one or more of the following: monographs, scholarly articles, conference papers, book chapters, or book on a topic in the humanities or social sciences. ACLS also encourages projects that have the potential to contribute to:
- Pedagogical tools that make meaningful connections between a scholar’s research and teaching.
- Works that bridge scholarly and creative practice.
- Community-engaged projects grounded in scholarly research but geared toward a public audience. Potential or actual community and/or student engagement with the research project is encouraged, as is the dissemination of the research to audiences across higher education.
These flexible, short-term awards may be used for access to online archives, travel, conference participation, childcare or elder care, and other needs identified in the application essay for accomplishing the proposed objectives.
Early Career fellowships support scholarly research in all disciplines of the humanities and the social sciences. Research may be conducted on any topic related to the cultures, histories, and societies in China, and their influence and impact on communities, countries, and cultures around the world, as required by the research plan. Research on Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang is eligible. The study of non-traditional sites (e.g., sites in Africa or Latin America) is also permitted, so long as there is a clearly articulated rationale for the relationship to China or Chinese-language communities and cultures. There are no restrictions regarding time period or methodological approach.
A working knowledge of Chinese is required, or knowledge of another language used in China studies (e.g., Tibetan, Uyghur).
The fellowship period must begin between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.
Fellowship Details
- Stipend: $15,000 ($5,000 per month) for the equivalent of three months’ work accomplished over a twelve-month period.
- Tenure: The fellowship period must begin between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.
- Flexible fellowships do not require leave from university responsibilities, and do not require the three months’ work to run consecutively.
- Early Career fellowships support research and writing toward a scholarly product in English.
- Priority will be given to applications that propose research in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet, or Xinjiang. In addition, proposals based on research outside these areas will also be considered. Applicants who do not propose work in China should explain how they will gain access to sources.
- Projects must be in the humanities or social sciences, but there are no restrictions regarding theme, methodological approach, or time period.
- Stipends may be used for research costs (e.g., travel, access to online archives, conference participation, hiring of research assistance outside the US or Canada) and living expenses, including childcare or eldercare. The application essay should state how these costs will support the project’s objectives, but no budget is required.
- Other support may be accepted during the fellowship tenure.
- A final report is required on completion of the fellowship period.
- Applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System no later than 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on November 5, 2025.
Eligibility
Applicants who apply to both long-term and flexible fellowships in China Studies will only be considered for flexible.
- An applicant must EITHER hold a PhD from an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, OR be a US or Canadian citizen/permanent resident with a PhD from any accredited institution.
- An applicant who is not a US or Canadian citizen/permanent resident must have an affiliation, or a long-term, regular research or teaching appointment, with a university or college in the United States or Canada. See FAQ.
- An applicant must hold a PhD degree officially conferred between January 1, 2017 and November 5, 2025.
- Applicants who have obtained tenure, or who have submitted tenure materials for review by the application deadline, are not eligible.
- A working knowledge of Chinese or another language used in China studies (e.g., Tibetan, Uyghur) is required.