The fellowship is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by ACLS. It is for PhD students who are still developing their dissertation projects and would benefit from dedicated time, specialised training, and guidance from mentors outside their existing advisory relationships. Applications are open to eligible doctoral students at accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and the programme welcomes research that brings attention to underrepresented communities, perspectives, and historical experiences.

Overview of the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships 

Successful applicants receive financial and academic support to develop their dissertation research and explore new scholarly approaches.

• $42,000 base stipend: Fellows receive a stipend to support them during the fellowship year.

• Up to $3,000 for research and travel: Funding can support research expenses, travel, and activities needed to advance the dissertation.

• Up to $5,000 for professional development: Additional funding can support specialised training, skills acquisition, and further research.

• External mentorship support: A separate $2,000 stipend supports an external mentor who provides additional expertise and critical feedback.

• Dedicated research time: Fellows can devote 9-12 months to research and training without their usual coursework, teaching duties, or assistantship responsibilities.

• Interdisciplinary opportunities: The programme encourages researchers to work with scholars from other disciplines and institutions.

• Digital research development: Fellows may undertake digital methods training and explore new forms of scholarly communication.

• Community collaboration: The fellowship supports thoughtful partnerships with communities and organisations outside traditional academic settings.

• Innovative dissertation development: Recipients can explore new research methods, formats, and publication approaches that extend beyond conventional dissertation models.

• Expanded professional networks: Working with an external mentor can introduce fellows to new expertise and perspectives beyond their current department.

The programme’s additional project-related funding totals up to $8,000, comprising the research and travel allowance and professional development support. These amounts are subject to the programme’s funding rules.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the programme’s academic and research requirements to be considered for the fellowship.

The main eligibility criteria include:

• Be enrolled as a PhD student in an eligible humanities or social science department at a degree-granting institution in the United States.

• Have completed at least two years of doctoral study and all required coursework by the start of the fellowship.

• Be prepared to undertake 9-12 months of dedicated research and specialised training.

• Be able to take leave from regular coursework, teaching, and research or teaching assistantship responsibilities during the fellowship.

• Be developing a dissertation project that demonstrates innovative research methods, interdisciplinary work, community engagement, or new forms of scholarly communication.

• Meet the programme’s doctoral candidacy and expected dissertation completion timeline requirements.

• Have applied for this fellowship no more than once previously; applicants who have already applied once unsuccessfully should check the current rules governing reapplication.

However, the programme does not accept applications from students pursuing professional or applied doctoral degrees, non-PhD terminal degrees such as an EdD or MFA, or doctoral programmes outside its eligible humanities and interpretive social sciences scope.

Also, fields listed as excluded include engineering, business, education, law, medicine, public health, and the life and physical sciences. Applicants whose departments are interdisciplinary should confirm their eligibility with ACLS.

How to Apply for the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships 2026-2027

Applicants should prepare their materials carefully and submit the completed application through the official ACLS online application system.

• Visit the official website: Go to the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships information page and review the current competition guidelines.

• Access the application portal: Visit the ACLS Fellowship Application System and sign in or create an account.

• Prepare your research proposal: Explain your dissertation project, its objectives, the innovative approaches you intend to use, and the work you plan to complete during the fellowship.

• Develop a fellowship timeline: Outline your preparation before the fellowship, your planned research and training activities, and the steps you will take toward completing your dissertation afterward.

• Prepare the bibliography and supporting materials: Follow the current instructions for the bibliography, personal statement, work sample, recommendation letter, and institutional statement.

• Consider your external mentor: Identify a suitable mentor who can contribute expertise and perspectives beyond your existing departmental advising relationships.

• Review the eligibility rules: Confirm that your doctoral programme, academic progress, and anticipated completion timeline meet the requirements.

• Submit the application before the deadline: Complete all required sections and submit through the online portal by the stated closing time.

Applicants should follow the instructions for the 2026-2027 competition rather than relying on older application templates, because requirements can change between application cycles.

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships 2026-2027 is October 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The programme’s published deadline is confirmed in the 2026-2027 competition announcement.

Moreover, applicants should submit well before the closing time to avoid last-minute technical problems. Also, since the deadline is today, anyone intending to apply should check the official portal immediately to confirm that applications are still being accepted.

Official Website

For the authoritative eligibility criteria, application instructions, funding details, and deadline, visit the following website page;

• Official programme website: American Council of Learned Societies

• Online application portal: ACLS Fellowship Application System

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship fully funded?

The fellowship provides a $42,000 base stipend, up to $8,000 in additional project-related support, and a separate $2,000 stipend for an external mentor. These are the published funding components; applicants should review the official guidelines for the conditions attached to each allowance.

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Eligible applicants are PhD students in qualifying humanities and interpretive social sciences departments at degree-granting institutions in the United States who meet the programme’s academic progress and research requirements.

Can international students apply?

The programme’s eligibility depends on enrolment in an eligible doctoral programme at a US institution, not nationality. International students should consult the current official guidelines to confirm their eligibility and any institutional requirements.

How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship supports 9-12 months of specialised research and training. The precise start and end dates depend on the programme’s arrangements for the relevant award year.

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