Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art

The Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art Program is now accepting applications. This program supports graduate students pursuing research on the history of art and visual culture of the United States, including all aspects of Native American art.

🖼️ About the Fellowship

The Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art are designed to assist PhD candidates at any stage of their dissertation research or writing. The program encourages applications from candidates with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Opportunity Details:

• Date Published: September 19, 2025
• Application Deadline: October 29, 2025
• Category:
  • Postgraduate
  • PhD
  • Fellowship
  • Fully Funded
  • Grants
• Location: United States
• Sponsor Organization: The American Council of Learned Societies

💰 Benefits

• Total Award: $42,500, which includes a stipend and additional funds for travel and research.
• This program is generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a doctoral student at a university in the United States in art history or a related field (e.g., Native American and Indigenous studies, ethnic studies, or African American studies).
  • Note: Students preparing theses for the Master of Fine Arts degree are not eligible.
• Have a dissertation focused on a topic in the history of the visual arts of the United States, including Native American art.
  • Projects should focus on the art object and/or image and employ an art-historical or visual studies approach.
• Have completed all requirements for the PhD except the dissertation before beginning fellowship tenure.
• Have not previously applied for this fellowship more than once.
• Be one of the following:
  • US citizen
  • Permanent resident
  • Indigenous person residing in the United States through rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794
  • DACA recipient, asylee, refugee, or individual granted Temporary Protected Status in the United States

📝 Application Process

Applications must be submitted online and include the following components:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Proposal
   • Maximum eight pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
   • Must include at least three images.
   • The proposal should explain the nature and scope of the project, methodologies used, and its significance within the field.
   • Include a brief statement on progress made and a tentative schedule for the grant period.
3. Annotated Bibliography
   • Maximum four pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
   • List ten key secondary sources with brief descriptions (2-4 sentences) of their relevance.
   • Primary sources should be listed separately without annotations.
4. List of Publications, Exhibitions, Presentations, and Scholarly/University Service (optional)
   • Maximum one page, single-spaced, with one-inch margins, in Arial or Helvetica 11-point font.
5. Two Reference Letters
   • One must come from the applicant’s dissertation advisor.
6. Institutional Statement
   • From the department chair, director of graduate studies, or dean.
   • Confirms the applicant is a doctoral candidate in good standing and that all PhD requirements (except the dissertation) will be completed before the fellowship begins.
   • Confirms tuition and fees will be waived or covered by the university and that the university will provide access to research resources and facilities.

📅 Application Deadline

• Deadline: October 29, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the fellowship: Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art
• Apply here: Luce/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art Application Portal

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for PhD candidates to advance their research in American art history and visual culture. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• The total award of $42,500 includes a stipend and additional funds for travel and research. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation.