Society of Fellows in the Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

Society of Fellows in the Humanities 2027-28 at Columbia University

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027-28 at Columbia University is inviting applications from early-career scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. The fellowship provides an opportunity to conduct independent research, gain university teaching experience, and participate in an interdisciplinary scholarly community in New York City.

For the 2027-28 academic year, selected fellows will receive a US$81,200 fellowship, a US$7,000 research allowance, medical benefits, and access to housing. The fellowship is initially awarded for one year and can be renewed for up to two additional years. The application deadline is October 12, 2026.

Society of Fellows in the Humanities 2027-28 Overview

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University supports early-career scholars whose research contributes to the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Fellows become Postdoctoral Research Scholars in the Society and Lecturers in an appropriate Columbia department, center, or institute.

The fellowship combines research, teaching, and professional development. During the first year, fellows teach one course per semester while continuing their own research. Fellows also participate in lectures, workshops, manuscript discussions, conferences, and other activities connected with the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities.

Fellowship Details	Information
Host Institution	Columbia University
Fellowship	Society of Fellows in the Humanities
Location	New York, USA
Academic Year	2027-28
Degree Level	Postdoctoral
Fellowship Amount	US$81,200
Research Allowance	US$7,000
Duration	1 year, renewable up to 3 years
Medical Benefits	Yes
Housing	Available
Eligible Nationalities	All nationalities
Deadline	October 12, 2026

Financial Benefits

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities provides substantial financial support to selected fellows. For the 2027-28 academic year, the fellowship amount is US$81,200. Fellows also receive a US$7,000 research allowance and medical benefits. Housing is available to fellows, subject to the university's arrangements.

The funding is intended to support scholars while they pursue their research and participate in the academic and teaching activities of Columbia University. Because the programme combines research with teaching, it is a postdoctoral fellowship rather than a conventional scholarship for degree study.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in the humanities or humanistic social sciences. For the 2027-28 competition, the degree must have been completed between July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2027. Applicants who have not yet received their degree may apply if all PhD requirements are completed by the required date.

The fellowship is open to non-U.S. citizens and graduates of institutions outside the United States. Candidates with equivalent doctoral degrees such as a D.Phil., DMA, or DFA in an eligible humanities or social science field may also qualify. Other terminal degrees, including an MBA, JD, or MFA, are not considered equivalent for this fellowship.

Applicants must select a participating Columbia department, center, or institute as their primary affiliation. Available areas include Anthropology, Art History and Archaeology, Classics, English and Comparative Literature, History, Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, and several other humanities disciplines.

Research and Academic Fields

The fellowship covers a broad range of humanities and humanistic social science disciplines. Applicants can pursue research through participating departments, centers, and institutes at Columbia University.

Fields represented in the current fellowship include:

• Anthropology

• Art History and Archaeology

• Classics

• East Asian Languages and Cultures

• English and Comparative Literature

• Film Studies

• History

• Philosophy

• Political Science

• Religion

• Sociology

• Music

• Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies

• Latin American and Iberian Cultures

• Gender and sexuality studies

• Comparative literature

Interdisciplinary research is also welcomed, provided the proposed project fits the humanities or humanistic social sciences framework of the Society.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare several academic documents as part of the online application. The required materials include:

• Online application form

• Personal statement of 500 words

• Curriculum vitae of no more than four pages

• Research proposal of no more than 1,500 words

• Sole-authored writing sample of no more than 3,500 words

• A two-page undergraduate course syllabus

• Names of two recommenders

For the 2027-28 competition, recommendation letters are requested only from applicants who are invited to the interview stage. Interview invitations are expected in early December.

All application materials must be submitted in English. The research proposal may describe a new project or develop research connected with the applicant's dissertation.

How to Apply?

Applicants must submit their applications through the online Columbia University application portal. Candidates should first select the department, center, or institute with which they want to be affiliated and then prepare their research proposal, personal statement, CV, writing sample, and teaching syllabus.

Applicants do not need to identify a potential faculty mentor or contact a Columbia professor before applying. Once the application is submitted, applicants cannot make changes to their application or replace uploaded documents.

The selection process includes departmental review, further evaluation by current fellows and members of the Society's Governing Board, and interviews for finalists. Fellowship decisions are expected to be announced by early March 2027.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Society of Fellows in the Humanities 2027-28 is October 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time according to the fellowship guidelines. The application portal states that materials submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.

Applicants should prepare their research proposal, writing sample, teaching syllabus, and other documents well in advance because the application has strict word and page limits.

Final Thoughts

The Society of Fellows in the Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027-28 at Columbia University provides early-career humanities scholars with a combination of research funding, teaching experience, professional development, and interdisciplinary academic engagement.

With a US$81,200 fellowship amount, additional US$7,000 research support, medical benefits, and housing availability, the programme offers substantial support for scholars beginning the next stage of their academic careers. International researchers are eligible, provided they meet the doctoral degree and other programme requirements.

Interested applicants should review the official eligibility requirements and prepare their application before the October 12, 2026 deadline. Apply Now