The American Council of Learned Societies is running its 2026–27 fellowship and grant competition cycle. The general ACLS Fellowship deadline has passed, but the ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants remain open, with final applications due 11 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ACLS Fellowships and Grants 2026–27
ACLS administers multiple competitions supporting scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Each programme has its own eligibility rules, award structure and deadline, and applications are submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration system.
As of 20 September 2026, the flagship ACLS Fellowship deadline for this cycle has passed. The most relevant currently verified open competition for this page is the HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants programme.
ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants
The HBCU programme is designed to support research-active faculty working at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, recognising the significant teaching and service commitments carried by HBCU faculty.
| Competition cycle | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Tracks | Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants |
| Final application deadline | 11 November 2026 |
| Closing time | 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Application system | ACLS OFA |
ACLS has historically structured the programme so that Faculty Fellowships support sustained research time and Project Grants support defined research-development needs. Applicants should use the current 2026–27 competition guidelines for the final award amount, eligible costs and project period.
Who Should Check This Call?
This current competition is specifically intended for eligible faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It is not a general international fellowship open to every humanities researcher.
Applicants should confirm:
- that their institution satisfies the programme’s HBCU eligibility requirement;
- that their project falls within the humanities or interpretive social sciences;
- that their employment status and proposed project meet the specific Fellowship or Project Grant rules; and
- that they can submit the complete application through ACLS OFA before the deadline.
Prepare the Application Carefully
ACLS directs applicants to read the relevant competition description before completing the OFA application. Depending on the track, applicants should expect to prepare a project narrative, work plan, budget or budget justification and other competition-specific materials.
ACLS also offered optional draft feedback for this cycle through 31 August 2026. That draft-feedback window has closed; the final formal application deadline remains 11 November 2026.
How to Apply
- Review the current ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants competition requirements.
- Choose the Fellowship or Project Grant track that matches the scale and maturity of your project.
- Create or access your account in the ACLS OFA system.
- Complete all forms and upload the required documents.
- Submit the final application by 11 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ACLS fellowships open in September 2026?
Some ACLS competitions remain open, but not all. The general ACLS Fellowship deadline has passed, while the 2026–27 HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants remain open through 11 November 2026.
What is the current HBCU deadline?
Final applications are due 11 November 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Can any international humanities researcher apply?
No. The currently highlighted HBCU competition has specific institutional and applicant eligibility requirements. Applicants should verify the exact competition before applying.
Where are applications submitted?
ACLS fellowship and grant applications are submitted through its Online Fellowship and Grant Administration system, known as OFA.
Official Sources and Application
| Current verified competition | ACLS HBCU Faculty Fellowships and Project Grants 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 11 November 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Last verified | 20 September 2026 |
