Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships in China Studies – Long-Term

In cooperation with the Henry Luce Foundation, ACLS is in the second year of a three-year bridging program to reassess and reconfigure the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies. We are convening scholars at all ranks, higher education leaders, journalists, and other readers of research and writing on China to re-imagine and transform our program to meet the needs of China studies in the 21^st century.

In 2022-23, ACLS is offering two types of fellowship (long-term and flexible research fellowships) to support research, writing, and curriculum development. A Summer Institute for Fellows will be held in summer 2023.

Fellowships are financially supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Long-term research fellowships will enable recent PhDs (without tenure and within eight years of the PhD) to take leaves from university responsibilities for four to nine months to carry out research and writing towards a scholarly text. During the fellowship tenure, which must consist of consecutive semesters or quarters, Fellows must be on leave from teaching and service. No employment is allowed, so that full time may be devoted to the project.

Each long-term fellowship provides a stipend of $5,000 per month for a minimum of four months and a maximum of nine months. The minimum stipend is $20,000; the maximum is $45,000.

Early Career fellowships emphasize the importance of research in China by the applicant, if possible. The application essay should describe the research the applicant intends to do, or has done, in China, if any. Applicants who do not propose work in China should explain how they will gain access to sources.

Research in Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan is eligible. Research may also be conducted on Chinese culture and society outside these areas, as required by the research plan. In each case, the selection committee will consider the quality and intensity of the project’s focus on topics related to China.

Proposals must reflect an understanding of the contemporary academic and research environment in China. A working knowledge of the Chinese language is required.

The fellowship period must begin between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.

Luce/ACLS Early Career Fellowships promote 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 is broadly inclusive of different backgrounds, cultures, and any aspects that make one unique. In China studies we seek balance in regard to national origin, educational background, and current university affiliation, as well as in disciplinary approaches, topics and historical periods studied.

Fellowship Details

• Stipend: minimum $20,000, maximum $45,000 calculated as $5,000 per month for four to nine months’ work accomplished full time, i.e., with leave from all university responsibilities. 
• Tenure: the fellowship period must begin between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
• Early Career fellowships support research and writing toward a scholarly product in English that has clearly defined implications for curriculum development. 
• Priority will be given to proposals based on the applicant’s research in China. Research in Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan is eligible. 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 interpretive social sciences, but there are no restrictions regarding theme, methodological approach, or period.
• Stipends may be used for research costs (including travel, access to online archives, conference participation, and hiring of research assistance in China) and living expenses (including childcare and other familial responsibilities). 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.
• Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship Application system no later than 9 pm Eastern Time, November 2, 2022.

Eligibility

• An applicant must hold a PhD from an institution in the United States or Canada, OR be a US or Canadian citizen/permanent resident with a PhD from any institution. The PhD degree must be completed by November 2, 2022.
  • If the degree is not completed by the deadline, please see the FAQs.
• 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.
• An applicant must hold a PhD degree conferred no earlier than January 1, 2014.
• Applicants who have obtained tenure, or who have submitted tenure materials for review by the application deadline are not eligible.
• The project must aim to produce a scholarly text.
• A working knowledge of Chinese is required.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of scholars in China studies according to the following criteria:

• The research design and intellectual organization of the project
• The importance of proposed research in the context of existing literature, which must be identified
• The ability of the applicant to accomplish the proposed research, based on academic training and success of previous research projects
• The impact the project will have on teaching and/or curriculum development
• The feasibility of the plan of work

Contact

Please email [email protected] with questions. Before submitting an inquiry, please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Supporting Documents

• 2022 Sample Application for Long-Term Early Career Fellowship