The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), with Henry Luce Foundation support, funds early-career scholars to research and write toward a scholarly product in China studies, such as a monograph, articles or chapters.
The Flexible track is for scholars whose heavy teaching or service rules out leave: fellows fit the equivalent of three months’ work into a 12-month period while keeping their posts. Topics on Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang qualify.
Benefits & funding
- US$15,000 stipend (US$5,000 a month) for three months’ work over 12 months; the months need not be consecutive.
- Covers research costs (travel, archives, conferences, research help outside the US or Canada) and living costs, including childcare or eldercare.
- Other non-ACLS funding may be held alongside; no budget is required.
- A final report is due at the end.
Eligibility
- PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences officially conferred 1 Jan 2018 – 5 Nov 2026 (conferral, not defence, counts).
- US or Canadian citizen or permanent resident; anyone else must hold a long-term, regular research or teaching appointment at a US or Canadian institution that begins by the fellowship start.
- No tenure, and no tenure file submitted by the deadline.
- Working knowledge of Chinese or another China-studies language (e.g. Tibetan, Uyghur).
- A heavy teaching or service load; scholars without one must apply for the Long-Term fellowship instead.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Eligible nationalities
USA · Canada
Residents of USA · Canada can also apply.
Education required
PhD
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Application process
- 1Prepare an essay (1,300 words), work plan (300 words), bibliography, applicant’s statement and publications list.
- 2Enter only one China Studies competition this year (Flexible, Long-Term or Travel Grant); applying to both fellowships means review for Flexible only.
- 3Submit through the ACLS OFA portal by 5:00 PM ET, 5 November 2026.
Program timeline
Application deadline
5 Nov 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Fellowship must start (12-month period)
1 Jul 2027 – 30 Sep 2028