Michigan Society of Fellows 2027–2030 Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Michigan Society of Fellows offers three-year, non-tenure-track appointments at the University of Michigan for early-career scholars and artists. Fellows are appointed concurrently as Assistant Professors in affiliated departments and as Postdoctoral Scholars in the Society.

They live in the Ann Arbor area during each academic year, pursue independent research or creative work, join the Society’s interdisciplinary activities and teach two full terms across the fellowship. The 2027–2030 competition includes the customary six fellowships plus one additional Arts Initiative position.

Benefits & funding

Annual stipend of $63,000.
Eligibility for University health, dental and life insurance programs.
Up to $3,000 per year for approved research or travel expenses.
One-time $2,500 relocation allowance before taxes, normally reimbursed in September after the appointment begins.
Office, laboratory or studio space and access to relevant research facilities through the affiliated department.

Eligibility

Applicants must be at the beginning of their academic careers and complete a Ph.D. or comparable professional or artistic terminal degree between June 1, 2024, and August 24, 2027.
Applicants of any nationality may apply. There is no stated pre-application residency requirement.
A terminal degree earned from the University of Michigan in the field of application makes the candidate ineligible.
Applicants must select from the departments accepting applications in the 2026–2027 competition.
The Arts Initiative route requires an MFA or comparable terminal arts degree within the same date window and is available for Creative Writing in the English Department and Film, Television, & Media.
Previous applicants may reapply if they still satisfy the eligibility criteria, but they must submit a new application.

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Education required
Master · PhD

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Application process

1
Create an applicant account in the Society of Fellows application portal.
2
Select the appropriate University of Michigan host department or departments; applicants do not need to secure departmental sponsorship.
3
Upload a curriculum vitae, a writing or work sample within the stated page limits, and a research proposal or artistic plan of no more than three double-spaced pages, excluding references.
4
Arrange no more than two confidential recommendation letters in PDF format.
5
Submit the application by September 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT; recommendation letters are due September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT.

Program timeline

Application portal opens.
August 1, 2026
Application deadline at 11:59 PM EDT.
September 14, 2026
Recommendation-letter deadline at 11:59 PM EDT.
September 21, 2026
Phase 1 status update no later than this date.
November 15, 2026
Phase 2 status update no later than this date.
January 15, 2027
After January 1, 2027
Finalists may be invited to brief virtual interviews.
Formal fellowship offers.
January–March 2027
Final decisions communicated no later than this date.
March 31, 2027
Fellowship appointment begins.
August 25, 2027
Fellowship appointment ends.
May 24, 2030