Press release
ACLS Announces 2026-27 Fellowship and Grant Competitions for The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) invites applications for The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies 2026-27 competitions. In cooperation with the Foundation, ACLS awards fellowships and grants supporting work that promotes the academic study of Buddhism, strengthens international networks of Buddhist Studies scholars, and increases the visibility of new knowledge and research on Buddhist traditions.
ACLS is now accepting applications for Dissertation Fellowships, Early Career Fellowships, and Public Impact Grants in Buddhist Studies. Applications for New Professorships and Buddhism Public Scholars will open in November 2026.
Worldwide Scope
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 and work proposed must be in the humanities and social sciences. All eligible scholars worldwide are welcome to apply.
ACLS strongly encourages scholars affiliated with universities and monastic institutions in Asia to apply.
Competition Deadlines
October 28, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Dissertation Fellowships: Ten-month stipends to PhD students for full-time preparation of dissertations.
- Early Career Research Fellowships: Nine-month stipends to pre-tenure scholars for research and writing.
November 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Public Impact Grants: One-year awards supporting projects that will enhance public knowledge and understanding of Buddhism.
February 1, 2027, 5:00 PM ET
- New Professorships: Multiyear grants to colleges and universities to establish new teaching positions in Buddhist Studies. Updated information on this program will be available when the competition opens in November 2026.
April 2, 2027, 5:00 PM ET
- Buddhism Public Scholars: Awards place early-career scholars in positions at museums and publishers. These positions are initially one-year placements that are renewable for a second year. Updated information on this program will be available when the competition opens in November 2026.
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.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
