ACLS Receives $500,000 Grant from MacArthur Foundation to Enhance Humanities Scholarship
In a groundbreaking development for the humanities sector, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has recently been granted $500,000 from the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This funding is aimed at bolstering ACLS's mission of cultivating knowledge about humanity through vital scholarship and research. The support underscores a renewed commitment at a moment when the humanities and social sciences face increasing scrutiny and denunciation.
The significance of this partnership stretches back to the 1980s when the MacArthur Foundation began its affiliation with ACLS through financial support for fellowships. Over the years, this relationship has matured, reflecting a shared belief in the necessity of expert knowledge as a foundation for a thriving democracy and sustainable planet. The recent donation marks a pivotal advancement in this collaborative endeavor.
ACLS, a prominent advocate for humanities, distributes more than 400 fellowships and grants every year, promoting diverse histories and scholarly perspectives while protecting the essential principles of academic freedom. In light of recent challenges facing academia, which includes threats to federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, ACLS has taken a proactive stance. In March 2025, it allied with other historical and linguistic organizations to file a federal lawsuit that aims to reverse detrimental government decisions affecting humanities funding.
Joy Connolly, the President of ACLS, expressed excitement over this continued partnership, emphasizing that both organizations stand firm in supporting the free flow of knowledge across societal platforms. This latest funding is essential for ACLS's evolving role in reinforcing the infrastructure of scholarship, ensuring it remains inclusive and responsive to contemporary issues. The collaborative spirit shared between the ACLS and the MacArthur Foundation is illustrated by their recent project, the "What Counts? MacArthur Fellows Reflect on Academic Reward Structures" virtual series, which explored how varying forms of scholarship are recognized within academic systems.
The ACLS represents an extensive network comprising 81 scholarly organizations as a leading voice in American scholarship focused on the humanities and social sciences. As it champions the value of scholarly knowledge, ACLS seeks to diversify the pathways through which knowledge is produced and disseminated, advocating for the importance of inclusivity in academic settings.
Meanwhile, the MacArthur Foundation remains committed to addressing critical societal challenges, such as climate change and criminal justice reform, reinforcing its mission through strategic investments in innovative solutions. This considerable backing for ACLS is however rooted in both organizations’ recognition of the humanities’ role in navigating complex societal concerns and crafting informed public discourse.
Through this generous grant from the MacArthur Foundation, ACLS is not only able to sustain its vital work in a demanding academic landscape but is poised to revisit and rejuvenate approaches to higher education and scholarship that resonate with broader societal transformations. As the humanities strive to maintain relevance and efficacy in modern discourse, the partnership between ACLS and the MacArthur Foundation stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that collaborative efforts can empower knowledge creation and facilitate community engagement at multiple levels. The coming years will require a concerted commitment to nurturing an inclusive academy, one that values humanistic research while addressing emergent social concerns, ensuring the integrity and impact of scholarly endeavors for future generations.
The significance of this partnership stretches back to the 1980s when the MacArthur Foundation began its affiliation with ACLS through financial support for fellowships. Over the years, this relationship has matured, reflecting a shared belief in the necessity of expert knowledge as a foundation for a thriving democracy and sustainable planet. The recent donation marks a pivotal advancement in this collaborative endeavor.
ACLS, a prominent advocate for humanities, distributes more than 400 fellowships and grants every year, promoting diverse histories and scholarly perspectives while protecting the essential principles of academic freedom. In light of recent challenges facing academia, which includes threats to federal funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, ACLS has taken a proactive stance. In March 2025, it allied with other historical and linguistic organizations to file a federal lawsuit that aims to reverse detrimental government decisions affecting humanities funding.
Joy Connolly, the President of ACLS, expressed excitement over this continued partnership, emphasizing that both organizations stand firm in supporting the free flow of knowledge across societal platforms. This latest funding is essential for ACLS's evolving role in reinforcing the infrastructure of scholarship, ensuring it remains inclusive and responsive to contemporary issues. The collaborative spirit shared between the ACLS and the MacArthur Foundation is illustrated by their recent project, the "What Counts? MacArthur Fellows Reflect on Academic Reward Structures" virtual series, which explored how varying forms of scholarship are recognized within academic systems.
The ACLS represents an extensive network comprising 81 scholarly organizations as a leading voice in American scholarship focused on the humanities and social sciences. As it champions the value of scholarly knowledge, ACLS seeks to diversify the pathways through which knowledge is produced and disseminated, advocating for the importance of inclusivity in academic settings.
Meanwhile, the MacArthur Foundation remains committed to addressing critical societal challenges, such as climate change and criminal justice reform, reinforcing its mission through strategic investments in innovative solutions. This considerable backing for ACLS is however rooted in both organizations’ recognition of the humanities’ role in navigating complex societal concerns and crafting informed public discourse.
Through this generous grant from the MacArthur Foundation, ACLS is not only able to sustain its vital work in a demanding academic landscape but is poised to revisit and rejuvenate approaches to higher education and scholarship that resonate with broader societal transformations. As the humanities strive to maintain relevance and efficacy in modern discourse, the partnership between ACLS and the MacArthur Foundation stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that collaborative efforts can empower knowledge creation and facilitate community engagement at multiple levels. The coming years will require a concerted commitment to nurturing an inclusive academy, one that values humanistic research while addressing emergent social concerns, ensuring the integrity and impact of scholarly endeavors for future generations.
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