Luce/ACLS American Art Dissertation Fellowships Open for 2026 Applications

Applications are now open for the prestigious 2026 Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art. The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is administering the program with funding from the Henry Luce Foundation. These fellowships support PhD candidates conducting advanced research on the history of US visual culture.

The deadline for submissions is October 29, 2025. This initiative aims to foster inclusive and groundbreaking scholarship in the field.

Fellowship Offers Substantial Support for Doctoral Research

The program will award seven non-renewable fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Each award provides a total of $42,500 to the recipient. This sum includes a living stipend and dedicated funds for research travel and expenses.

Fellowship tenure can last from nine to twelve continuous months. It must be held between July 2026 and May 2027. According to ACLS, the awards cannot be used to cover tuition costs.

Eligibility Focuses on US Art and Diverse Perspectives

Eligibility is specific to students in art history and related fields. Their dissertation must focus on the visual arts of the United States. This includes all facets of Native American art history and visual studies.

Applicants must have completed all PhD requirements except the dissertation. They must also be US citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or have other protected status. ACLS strongly encourages applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds.

Info at your fingertips

Who is eligible for the Luce/ACLS Fellowship?

Doctoral students in US universities studying American art history are eligible. Applicants must have finished all coursework and exams. They must also be US citizens or have permanent resident status.

What does the fellowship funding cover?

The $42,500 award is a stipend for living costs. It also includes extra money specifically for research travel and related expenses.

When is the application deadline?

All applications must be submitted by October 29, 2025. The fellowship period itself begins in July 2026.

How many fellowships are awarded each year?

The program awards seven fellowships annually. This provides significant support to a small cohort of emerging scholars.

What type of research projects qualify?

Projects must focus on the history of American art or visual culture. The research should be object-focused and use an art-historical methodology.

Sources: American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), Henry Luce Foundation