#USA #New York #Project Development #humanities research #ACLS Grant

ACLS Names Recipients of 2026 Project Development Grants

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has proudly disclosed the recipients of its prestigious 2026 Project Development Grants. With a total funding pool of $80,000, these grants, worth $5,000 each, are awarded to scholars engaged in teaching-intensive positions who are pushing the boundaries of research in the humanities and social sciences. This year marks a significant milestone for ACLS as they celebrate a century of supporting individual scholars.

The selected awardees, totaling 16, come from a diverse set of institutions ranging from public and private research universities to liberal arts colleges and even a Historically Black College, demonstrating the broad impact of these grants on various educational landscapes. Claudia Kinkela, ACLS Program Officer for US Programs, expressed enthusiasm for the impressive array of research initiatives represented by this year’s grantees. She noted, "These seed grants support a broad range of research projects—from art history to political science and women's studies—and will help scholars working at a variety of institutions advance their research agendas in a meaningful way."

Highlights of Funded Projects

The funded research projects are equally diverse, covering a wide array of subjects that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in their respective fields. Notable projects include a comprehensive examination of the history of American science fiction since 1938, investigations into how extreme heat has influenced the lives of New Yorkers for over 150 years, a study researching the connections between disease and architecture in Modern China from 1894 to 1949, and an analysis of graphic literature produced by Asian American, African American, Arab American, and Latinx authors, all in relation to themes of race, citizenship, and political identity.

Flexibility of the Grants

The Project Development Grants provide flexible funding, allowing scholars to address their specific research needs effectively. Each grantee can use the funds for various purposes, such as covering travel expenses for fieldwork, membership fees for learned societies, attendance at conferences, course buyouts, summer salaries, and even support for childcare, eldercare, or editorial assistance. This adaptability ensures that each scholar can maximize their research potential with the awarded funds.

Competitive Selection Process

These grants are competitive and are part of the broader ACLS Fellowship Program, which has been sustained by ACLS's endowment, garnering support from a range of generous funders, institutional members, and individual donors since the organization's founding in 1919.

Founded a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies operates as a nonprofit federation of 86 scholarly organizations. As the principal representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, ACLS emphasizes the importance of knowledge as a public good. By supporting its member organizations, ACLS works to enhance the forms, content, and dissemination of scholarly knowledge, reflecting a commitment to diverse identities and experiences. Furthermore, ACLS collaborates with various institutions, associations, and individuals to bolster the constantly evolving infrastructure for scholarship.

In conclusion, the 2026 ACLS Project Development Grants signify not just a financial investment in scholars but also an investment in the future of research in the humanities and social sciences. As these scholars embark on their innovative projects, they collectively contribute to a richer understanding of the world around us.