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Funding

Partial / Stipend

ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future

InternshipRemote

American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

Application Deadline

January 13, 2027

Official Page

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“Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled at the time of application in a US-based PhD program in the humanities and social sciences (see separate FAQ on disciplinary eligibility). … Applicants should not be planning to graduate until academic year 2028-2029.” Eligibility

  • Education required

    PhD Enrolled

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The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) runs this program with support from the Templeton Religion Trust. It places PhD students who study religion with nonprofits, newsrooms and faith-based groups across the United States for one summer.

Each intern works on a project set by the host, such as research, outreach or digital content. The 2027 round is the second; the first ran in summer 2026 with ten host projects.

Benefits & funding

  • Stipend for 2027: US$15,500 in person, US$14,250 remote (FAQ); the 2026 round paid US$15,400 and US$14,000 (program page).
  • Up to US$2,000 relocation funding when an in-person post is beyond commuting distance; relocating is then required.
  • 9 consecutive weeks, about 37.5 hours a week, in summer 2027.
  • A required two-day career seminar in August 2027 (domestic travel covered) and virtual cohort programs in 2027–28.

Eligibility

  • Enrolled at the time of application in a PhD program at a US-based institution, in a humanities or social-science field; any citizenship.
  • Research or dissertation related to religion, broadly defined; no faith affiliation needed.
  • Not planning to graduate before academic year 2028–29.
  • Not eligible: Master’s, MDiv, MTS and EdD students, or PhDs in professional or applied fields such as business, law, public policy, social work, public health or clinical psychology.
  • No coursework, teaching or other significant employment during the internship; no deferral.
  • Past ACLS fellows may apply but cannot hold two ACLS awards in the same year.

Application process

  1. 1
    Pick one or two host projects from the published project descriptions (the 2027 list is due in winter 2026).
  2. 2
    Apply on the ACLS online system by 13 January 2027, 5:00 PM EST: two short-answer essays, a one-page cover letter and a two-page résumé per project, and contact details for one professional reference (no letters).
  3. 3
    Peer reviewers select finalists, who are interviewed; host rankings inform the ACLS offer. Host organizations may not be contacted.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline

    13 January 2027, 5:00 PM EST

  2. Decisions

    Late spring 2027

  3. 9-week internship

    Summer 2027

  4. Two-day career seminar

    August 2027

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