Deadline: March 11, 2026
The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026 offer an exceptional opportunity for recent PhD graduates in the humanities and interpretive social sciences to apply their academic expertise in impactful, non-academic settings. This prestigious two-year fellowship programme is designed to support scholars who want to contribute meaningfully to organisations working on issues of justice, equity, and community engagement across the United States.
The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026 combine full-time professional placement with structured mentorship and career development, enabling fellows to translate scholarly skills into real-world leadership and social impact.
About the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026
The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship is a 24-month, full-time, paid fellowship programme administered by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). Fellows are placed with selected nonprofit organisations in the United States, where they work in roles that align humanistic research, critical analysis, and interpretive skills with organisational missions focused on social change.
The fellowship cohort begins in September 2026 and runs continuously for two years, alongside cohort-based professional development activities facilitated by ACLS.
Fellowship Benefits and Funding
Successful applicants to the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026 will receive a comprehensive financial and professional support package, including:
- Annual stipend of approximately USD $70,000 or more, depending on whether the role is remote or in-person
- Employer-provided health insurance coverage for the duration of the fellowship
- Professional development funding, including training, networking opportunities, and career resources
- Relocation support of up to USD $5,000 for fellows who need to relocate for in-person positions
These benefits are designed to ensure fellows can fully focus on their professional contributions and career development throughout the fellowship period.
Duration and Structure
- Length: 24 months (two years)
- Start date: September 2026
- Commitment: Full-time employment with a host organisation
- Additional components: Cohort meetings, mentorship, and structured professional development programming
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026:
- Hold a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences, or expect PhD conferral
- PhD must be conferred between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2026
- Applicants graduating in Spring or Summer 2026 must be able to provide official confirmation of PhD conferral by 31 August 2026
- Be legally authorised to work in the United States for the entire duration of the fellowship
- Visa sponsorship is not provided
Eligible disciplines generally include core humanities fields and interpretive social science disciplines that emphasise qualitative, historical, cultural, or critical analysis.
Application Process
The application process for the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026 is competitive and conducted in multiple stages. Applicants are assessed on their ability to:
- Demonstrate strong alignment between doctoral training and applied organisational work
- Show commitment to justice-oriented and community-focused initiatives
- Articulate how their academic expertise can add value in non-academic professional environments
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials through the online application system:
- Completed online application form
- Cover letter(s) tailored to the specific host organisation roles selected
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé for each position applied to
- List of three references per position
Reference letters are not required at the application stage.
Applicants may apply to a maximum of two fellowship positions from the available list of host organisations.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 11 March 2026
- Submission time: By 9:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
- Fellowship start date: September 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
Why Apply for the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026?
The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowships 2026 are ideal for scholars seeking to:
- Build meaningful careers beyond traditional academia
- Apply humanistic and interpretive research skills to real-world challenges
- Gain professional experience within mission-driven nonprofit organisations
- Join a national network of scholars committed to equity, justice, and public impact
Support with Your Fellowship Application
Need help strengthening your application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to ensure your application is competitive, clear, and aligned with fellowship expectations.
