Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowships support formative-stage dissertation projects that expand doctoral research through new methods, formats, or collaborations. The American Council of Learned Societies administers the program with Mellon Foundation support.
Fellows pursue sustained research and training at their home institution or another appropriate site. External mentorship broadens the project’s expertise and networks.
Benefits & funding
- $42,000 base stipend for 9–12 months in 2027–28.
- Up to $3,000 for research and travel and $5,000 for professional development; external mentors receive a separate $2,000 stipend.
- The home institution must keep the fellow enrolled, waive or cover tuition and fees, pause any multi-year support, then extend and resume it afterward.
- The award cannot be held concurrently with another fellowship or grant.
Eligibility
- Full-time PhD student in a US humanities or interpretive social science department; citizenship is unrestricted.
- At least two years and all required coursework completed by the fellowship start.
- PhD candidacy/ABD no earlier than January 1, 2026, with dissertation completion intended after May 31, 2029.
- Able to devote 9–12 months free of coursework, assistantships, and teaching while remaining enrolled.
- No more than one previous application.
- Professional/applied doctorates, non-PhD terminal degrees, and the program’s listed excluded fields are ineligible.
Can you apply?
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Education required
PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Submit the online form, proposal, mandatory timeline template, bibliography, personal statement, and work sample.
- 2Include one recommendation from the dissertation advisor or an eligible faculty advisor.
- 3Include an institutional statement confirming enrollment, tuition arrangements, funding continuity, and support for nontraditional scholarship.
- 4Submit by 5 PM ET on October 28, 2026.
Program timeline
Applicant office hours
October 15, 2026
Application deadline
October 28, 2026, 5 PM ET
Decision notifications
Late April 2027
Fellowship starts
July 1–September 1, 2027