The School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton hosts scholars as Members to pursue their own research. It covers all historical fields, with emphasis on the Greek and Roman world, Europe, the Islamic world, East Asia, art history, history of science and musicology.
Members come for one term or the full 2027–28 academic year. The only obligation is to live in Princeton and do research; seminars are optional.
Benefits & funding
- Stipend of up to US$40,000 for one term or US$80,000 for the full year — a ceiling, not a guarantee, set against lost salary and other support.
- Limited travel reimbursement for Members coming from outside the Princeton area.
- Office, library access, subsidized housing, dining and health care.
- Duties: live in or near Princeton (no commuting from New York or Philadelphia), no teaching, no concurrent residential fellowship.
Eligibility
- Open to scholars of any nationality; a current institutional affiliation is not required.
- PhD or equivalent awarded by 31 July 2026, plus a substantial publication record.
- Three writing samples published or in press in peer-reviewed venues.
- At most two Memberships in a lifetime; former Members wait five years after a full year, three after a single term.
- One IAS School per applicant.
- Princeton University faculty: only non-tenured faculty receive a stipend; tenured associate professors may join without one; full professors and emeriti are ineligible.
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.
Education required
PhD
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Submit the online application by 15 October 2026 with a CV, a research proposal of up to 1,500 words, a one-page bibliography and three writing samples.
- 2Applicants whose PhD dates from 2020 or later also need two reference letters.
- 3Assistant Professors in the US or Canada can ask in the same application to be considered for the Mellon Fellowship; the separate Postdoctoral Fellowship cannot be combined with a Membership application.
Program timeline
Application deadline
15 October 2026
Decisions by email
Early February 2027
Alternates learn final status
End of April 2027
Term I begins
20 September 2027
Term II ends
14 April 2028