National Humanities Center Residential Fellowships 2027-2028

Sponsor

National Humanities Center

Description

The National Humanities Center’s Residential Fellowship is one of the most prestigious humanities fellowship programs in the world. Each year, several scholars from countries other than the United States come to the Center, in North Carolina, as part of the cohort of Fellows and contribute to the rich intellectual and diverse environment of the fellowship program. In addition to all fields of the humanities, the Center accepts applications from scholars in the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions and public life who are engaged in humanistic projects.

During their time in residence, Fellows are given the freedom to work on their projects while benefiting from the exceptional services of the Center. The stunning Archie K. Davis building offers private studies, light-filled common areas and verdant grounds. The Center also provides scholars with exceptional library services, breakfasts and lunches in the dining area, and administrative support in organizing seminars and study groups.

Eligibility

• The applicant holds a PhD or relevant terminal degree for their primary discipline (e.g., MFA for research-based non-fiction writers).
• The PhD or requisite terminal degree was received at least five years prior to October 1, 2026 (i.e., no later than September 30, 2021); or the applicant meets the requirements for one of two unique fellowships: 1) Geiss-Hsu Fellowship, for a project substantially addressing Ming-era China, possibly including adjacent eras; 2) Philip L. Quinn Fellowship, for a female-identified early-career philosopher.
• Mid-career and senior scholars are encouraged to apply.
• The NHC does not fund post-docs.
• The applicant has published at least one scholarly monograph, for book-focused fields, or the equivalent in peer-reviewed scholarship for article-focused fields.
• The applicant is working on a project beyond the dissertation.
• The applicant is engaged in humanities research that will result in publication. In addition to scholars from all fields of the humanities, the Center accepts applications from individuals in the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions and public life provided those projects are informed by and significantly contribute to humanities research and scholarship. Humanities scholarship is interpretive and makes logical arguments from evidence, often texts. It aims to define and understand problems rather than effect immediate policy outcomes. The typical proposal is for a single-authored book, but other forms of humanities research-based work are eligible. The National Humanities Center is open to new forms and expressions of humanities scholarship.
• The applicant’s project is grounded in one or more humanities disciplines, or it is grounded in other fields (the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions and public life) but substantially employs humanistic approaches and methodologies.
• The proposed project is at an advanced stage, meaning that most of the research is done, and the applicant is already writing.
• The applicant plans to spend the full term (one or two semesters) in residence at the Center. Extended time away, including trips for field research, is not permitted.
• The applicant speaks and reads English fluently. It is not required that the primary project publication be written in English.

In addition to scholars from all fields of the humanities, the Center accepts individuals from the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions and public life who are engaged in humanistic projects. For more details on eligibility, see the National Humanities Center Fellowship's FAQ webpage.

Prize

The stipend amounts for Fellows are individually determined, according to the needs of the scholars and the Center’s ability to meet them. The Center seeks to provide half salary with the expectation that the Fellow’s home institution covers the remaining salary. Other grants or institutional support that Fellows will receive during their fellowship may also reduce the amount of the Center’s stipend.

In addition to the stipend, the Center also pays for round trip travel (to the NHC at the beginning of the fellowship term and the return trip home at the end of the fellowship term) for the Fellow and any immediate family members traveling and living with the Fellow in North Carolina during the fellowship year. The Center does not provide any additional funding for research travel, edited letters or primary source document collections, moving expenses, shipping expenses or living expenses.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the National Humanities Center's website by the external deadline. Further details about applications be found on the National Humanities Center Fellowships' FAQ webpage.

Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.

For More Information

Please contact kkariyap@uoguelph.ca, nhc@onlineapplicationportal.com or see the National Humanities Center's website.