The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies

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The American Council of Learned Societies has administered The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies since 2013 to promote the academic study of Buddhism, strengthen international networks of Buddhist Studies scholars, and increase visibility of new knowledge and research on Buddhist traditions.

This work is supported through fellowships and grants for research, writing, teaching, and public-facing projects in Buddhist Studies, as well as convenings, workshops, and special initiatives that foster networks and knowledge sharing amongst scholars, communities of practice, and the broader public.

These are global competitions. Only the Buddhism Public Scholars Fellowship requires work authorization in the host organization’s country. The remaining competitions have no restrictions as to the location of work proposed or the citizenship/residence of applicants. The final products of supported projects may be in any language, but all applications must be submitted in English. All eligible scholars worldwide are welcome to apply.

ACLS strongly encourages scholars affiliated with universities and monastic institutions in Asia to apply.

Resources for Fellows and Grantees

Global Buddhism Series

ACLS has partnered with Yale University Press to create the Global Buddhism Series, which publishes books written by Program Fellows. A call for proposals with application instructions will be sent to recent fellows in Winter 2026.

Workshops & Events

ACLS fosters a global network of Buddhist Studies scholars through regular mentorship, outreach, and engagement. Every year, the program convenes international scholars and experts in Buddhist Studies at various events. Throughout 2026-27, we expect to offer:

• • Networking receptions for program fellows and grantees at major academic conferences.

• • A convening for recent dissertation fellows to discuss work in progress with peers and senior scholars.

• • A workshop for early career scholars preparing manuscripts for publication.

About Buddhist Studies

Buddhist Studies is the academic study of the Buddhist tradition from its origins in ancient India to its present-day manifestations around the world. Scholars of Buddhism work in many disciplines, including, but not limited to, archaeology, art history, anthropology, cultural studies, gender studies, history, philology, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and sociology.

ACLS and The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global believe that Buddhist Studies benefits from inclusivity of voices, narratives, and subjects from around the world. We encourage applications from all eligible scholars, and we value projects that demonstrate thoughtful engagement with communities and topics that have been historically underrepresented or under-studied in Buddhist Studies.

Peer reviewers are asked to take into consideration ACLS’s commitment to inclusive excellence, understood as the pursuit of academic excellence enriched by a plurality of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and the broadening of humanistic inquiry to encompass a wide array of topics, methodologies, and communities.

For questions about the competitions or more information on future events or fellow resources, please contact [email protected].

Institutional administrators (e.g., Office of Sponsored Projects) should read our general guidance.