Applications for the National Humanities Center Fellowship Program 2025 are now open. The National Humanities Center, designed to meet the needs of humanists, provides scholars with an environment and resources conducive to generating new knowledge and furthering understanding of the human experience.

Here, scholars enjoy the freedom to focus on their work in the beautiful Archie K. Davis building, take breaks to wander paths through the surrounding pine forest, and share ideas with colleagues working on a fascinating array of projects from across humanities disciplines.

Scholars also take advantage of the Center’s exceptional support services, including outstanding librarians and attentive dining staff.

Scholars can apply for year- or semester-long fellowships or, if they work at one of the Center’s sponsoring institutions, they may participate in the month-long summer residency program.

National Humanities Center Fellowship Program Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent scholarly credentials. We encourage mid-career and senior scholars to apply.

Emerging scholars with a strong record of peer-reviewed work may also apply. The Center does not support the revision of doctoral dissertations.

The Center accepts individuals from all fields of the humanities, as well as those from the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions, and public life who are engaged in humanistic projects.

National Humanities Center Fellowship Prize

The Center determines stipend amounts for Fellows individually, according to the needs of the scholars and the Center’s ability to meet them.

Fellowships receive support from the Center’s endowment, private foundation grants, contributions from alumni and friends, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Center provides half salary up to $65,000, expecting the Fellow’s home institution to cover the remaining salary.

Eligibility

1. Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent scholarly credentials. Mid-career and senior scholars are encouraged to apply.

Emerging scholars with a strong record of peer-reviewed work may also apply. The Center does not support the revision of doctoral dissertations.

2. In addition to all fields of the humanities, the Center accepts applications from scholars in the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions, and public life who are engaged in humanistic projects.

Application Process

The Center will begin accepting applications for the 2024–25 academic year on July 1, 2025, with a deadline of October 5, 2025. Fellowship applicants should complete the online application form and upload the following documents:

1. 1,000-word project proposal

2. Short bibliography (up to 750 words)

3. Curriculum vitae (up to 1000 words)

4. One-page tentative outline of the structure of the project (if the project is a book, provide an outline of chapters; otherwise, give an outline of the components of the project and their progress to date)

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Applicants should also provide names and contact information for three references.

References will receive an email prompt inviting them to upload a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. All letters are due by October 5, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Center for the Humanities Fellowship?

The Center for the Humanities hosts several fellowships to provide a supportive environment for innovative, interdisciplinary scholarship and research for faculty, postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students.

Devoting time exclusively to research and writing is integral to academic productivity.

What is a Fellowship in Humanities?

NEH fellowships are competitive awards that individual scholars receive for projects embodying exceptional research, rigorous analysis, and clear writing. Project applications must clearly articulate their value to humanities scholars, general audiences, or both.

What Are the Courses Under the Faculty of Humanity?

Humanities courses include the study of history, philosophy, religion, modern and ancient languages and literature, fine and performing arts, and media and cultural studies.

Who Gets a Fellowship?

Graduate students or postgraduate scholars usually compete for fellowships, and selection is based on their potential to make a positive, long-lasting contribution to their academic discipline.