American Council of Learned Societies Reveals 2026 Buddhist Studies Awardees

ACLS Announces the 2026 Awardees for Buddhist Studies

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has proudly revealed the recipients of the 2026 awards from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies, with over $1.5 million allocated to enhance research, education, and public engagement in the field on a global scale. This initiative marks a significant moment as ACLS celebrates a century of supporting individual scholars.

The 2026 awardees consist of 18 individual scholars and one institution, along with six Public Impact Grants set to be disclosed in the summer of the same year. This diverse cohort of scholars spans across nine countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, focusing on a variety of topics including ancient texts, historical governance, and the preservation of modern heritage within the realm of Buddhist Studies.

Notable placements include four Public Scholars who will engage with esteemed organizations such as Lion's Roar Foundation in Halifax, the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in New York, The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, and the Tricycle Foundation, also in New York. These scholars will utilize their academic backgrounds to enrich their host organizations’ presentation of Buddhist art and practices to a broader audience.

Furthermore, nine Dissertation Fellows from various universities worldwide have each been awarded $40,000 to support their unique research projects. Topics of inquiry range from ecological management within Buddhist communities to the governance and spread of Buddhist traditions throughout Eurasia, as well as the intricate relationship between bodily relics and Tibetan Buddhist communities.

In addition, five Early Career Research Fellows based in England, Germany, Japan, Thailand, and the United States will receive up to $75,000 each to foster emerging scholarship on subjects such as emotional narratives in Jataka tales and the historical context concerning the ordination of modern nuns within Tibetan and Himalayan traditions.

As part of the new initiatives, a significant grant of $300,000 has been allocated to Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, to establish a new tenure-track position focused on Buddhist Studies. This role aims to broaden course offerings in the discipline and enhance collaborations with several campus centers dedicated to sustainability and social justice.

Daphne Weber, ACLS Program Officer for Buddhist Studies, emphasized the importance of the 2026 cohort, stating, "The diversity and vibrancy shown by this year's recipients highlight the depth and reach of Buddhist Studies as a field. ACLS is dedicated to backing rigorous academic efforts that convey meaningful insights and knowledge about Buddhist traditions to wider communities."

This program's viability stems from a generous $7.5 million grant extension from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global, which promotes research and development in Buddhist Studies through fellowships, grants, and symposia aimed at nurturing early-career scholars while diversifying applicant pools across the globe. Founded a century ago, ACLS is a nonprofit consortium of 86 scholarly organizations, advocating for the belief that knowledge is a public good. By partnering with member organizations, ACLS amplifies the diversity of scholarly discourse and endeavors to broaden the scope of knowledge available to the public.

Supported by the philosophy of interconnectedness, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation promotes initiatives in arts and culture, as well as Buddhism, with a vision centered around enhancing the wellbeing of both humanity and the environment. Through these awards, both ACLS and the foundation are striving to create a more informed and connected global community through the study and understanding of Buddhist traditions.