Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies Opens 2026-27 Fellowship and Grant Competitions

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) invites applications for the Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies Early Career Fellowships and Travel Grants, with an application deadline of November 5, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

The Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies advances outstanding scholarship on China and its cultures, histories, and communities. Grants and fellowships support a wide range of scholarly approaches in China studies while encouraging creative and responsive scholarship that informs public understanding of China and its influence and impact on the world. The program aims to build a broader, more equitable field by amplifying emerging scholars and strengthening networks and resources to sustain the field into the future. The program is generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

In 2026-27, ACLS is offering the following fellowships and grants to support research, writing, and engaged scholarship:

• Flexible fellowships enable recent PhDs (without tenure, within eight years of the PhD) who hold positions with heavy teaching or service responsibilities to carry out research and writing toward a scholarly product. These short-term awards do not require leave from university responsibilities and may be used for a range of needs, including conference participation and childcare or elder care.
  
  Award Amount: $15,000 for the equivalent of three months’ work accomplished over a twelve-month period.
  
• Long-term fellowships enable recent PhDs (without tenure, within eight years of the PhD) to take full leave from university responsibilities for four to nine months to carry out research and writing toward a scholarly product.
  
  Award Amount: Minimum $20,000, maximum $45,000 for four to nine months’ work accomplished full time.
  
• Travel grants enable graduate students in a PhD program or non-tenure-track researchers at any career stage to conduct fieldwork in China or related research in databases, collections, and archives anywhere in the world.
  
  Award Amount: $5,000 for travel at any time during a twelve-month period.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].