Deadline: March 1, 2026
The Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious opportunity designed to support, elevate, and amplify research and scholarship by individuals affiliated with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This fellowship encourages innovative work in the humanities and human-centred social sciences, with a particular emphasis on projects exploring significant historical narratives, marginalised voices, and themes that shed light on Virginia or the broader South Atlantic region.
About the Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellowship 2026
The programme offers a vital platform for scholars, faculty, alumni, and community researchers from HBCUs to advance their work in traditional, public, or digital humanities. Fellows benefit from access to an extensive network of research resources, mentoring opportunities, and platforms for public engagement.
Projects under this fellowship are expected to make meaningful contributions to the humanities through creative, academic, or public outputs such as journal articles, book proposals, exhibitions, digital archives, documentaries, or curriculum development.
Fellowship Structure and Financial Support
The Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellowship 2026 provides both short-term and long-term funding opportunities tailored to the scope of each scholar’s proposed project:
- Short-term Awards (3–6 months): Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the project budget.
- Long-term Awards (9–12 months): Grants range from $20,000 to $45,000, depending on the proposed scope and financial need.
In addition to financial support, fellows receive:
- Access to academic publishing opportunities and Virginia Humanities media platforms such as With Good Reason.
- Research access to the University of Virginia’s library system, the Library of Virginia archives, and other state resources.
- Collaboration and feedback from an interdisciplinary network of humanities scholars.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be affiliated with an HBCU, either as a current faculty member, alumnus, or community scholar.
- Affiliation with a Virginia-based HBCU is not mandatory — scholars from HBCUs across the United States are eligible.
- Projects should aim to produce a tangible scholarly or public humanities output such as publications, exhibitions, or educational materials.
- Projects that focus solely on advocacy, political action, or exclusive K-12 classroom work will not be supported.
Programme Engagement and Expectations
Fellows are encouraged to actively engage in Virginia Humanities’ public platforms, sharing their work and insights with broader audiences. Participation may include presenting research findings, featuring in Virginia Humanities media programmes, or contributing to collaborative discussions that enrich the public understanding of humanities research.
This engagement ensures that fellows not only expand their academic profiles but also contribute to wider conversations about history, culture, and identity within and beyond Virginia.
Application Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 March 2026
- The call for applications typically opens in December of the preceding year.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their materials early, as the fellowship is competitive and attracts submissions from across the nation.
Application Requirements
Applicants will need to submit their materials via the official Virginia Humanities online portal. The application package generally includes:
- A detailed project proposal outlining objectives, methodology, and intended outcomes.
- An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s qualifications and research significance.
- A proposed project budget, detailing anticipated use of funds.
Successful applicants will be those whose projects demonstrate originality, scholarly merit, and potential to contribute significantly to the public humanities landscape.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Participation in the Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellowship 2026 provides more than funding — it offers community, mentorship, and visibility. Fellows gain access to an inspiring professional network and opportunities to disseminate their findings through Virginia Humanities’ established outreach platforms.
The fellowship promotes collaboration, reflection, and public engagement, ensuring that each participant’s work has lasting impact across academic and cultural communities.
🔗 Click here to apply for the Virginia Humanities HBCU Scholars Fellowship 2026
🔗 Read more about the programme
📩 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
