Overview
Internal Fellowships
Internal fellowships will be awarded to four tenure or instructional-track faculty of the University of Rochester faculty, with preference for Assistant Professors.
Applicants may be in any field of humanistic study, including anthropology, art and art history, English, history, modern languages and cultures, music, philosophy, or religion and classics.
Faculty who have already held internal fellowships with the HC may become eligible again 12 semesters after the completion of their previous fellowship.
Fellows will participate in the bi-weekly Humanities Center seminar and in the Center’s other workshops, conferences, and programs. They are expected to be in residence in Rochester and to play an active role in the Center’s community of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Fellows will present the results of their research at least once during their tenure at the Center.
Internal fellows will continue to receive their regular compensation from the University. During their time as a fellow they will be relieved of regular teaching responsibilities, though obligations for University service continue. The fellowship periods are from September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026 to May 15, 2026. Two internal fellows will be chosen for each semester. Applicants may specify a preference for the fall or spring semester when they apply.
Fellows may apply for up to $1,000 in research funds if their needs exceed their departmental research accounts; awards will be contingent on the availability of Center resources.
Applications should include the following and be sent to Peter Christensen by February 1, 2025:
- A cover letter
- A research proposal of no more than 1000 words
- A CV
- A letter of support from the Chair of the applicant’s department
For further information contact humanities@rochester.edu
External Fellowships
We are not currently accepting applications for our external fellowship program.
Please check back for a link to apply closer to our January 2026 application deadline.
Tenure-track Faculty level
External fellowships are awarded to scholars who hold tenure-track positions at other institutions. Faculty at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Professor may apply. The application deadline is January 15, 2026. (Please note that we will not be accepting applications for positions prior to the 2026-2027 academic year.)
Applicants may be in any field of humanistic study, including anthropology, art and art history, classics, English, history, modern languages and cultures, music, philosophy, or religion.
Fellows will participate in the bi-weekly Humanities Center seminar and in the Center’s other workshops, conferences, and programs. They are expected to be in residence in Rochester and to play an active role in the Center’s community of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Fellows will present the results of their research at least once during their tenure at the Center. Fellows will receive a stipend up to $60,000 (commensurate with experience and need), and may apply for funds to support research and travel, contingent on available resources. The fellowship period is September 1, 2026 to May 15, 2027.
Applications should include the following:
- A cover letter
- A research proposal of no more than 1000 words
- A C.V.
- A writing sample
- Three confidential letters of recommendation
For further information contact humanities@rochester.edu
Postdoctoral level
The application deadline is January 15, 2026. (Please note that we are not currently accepting applications and will have positions open beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.)
Applicants may be in any field of humanistic study, including anthropology, art and art history, classics, English, history, modern languages and cultures, music, philosophy, or religion.
Fellows will participate in the bi-weekly Humanities Center seminar and in the Center’s other workshops, conferences, and programs. They are expected to be in residence in Rochester and to play an active role in the Center’s community of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Fellows will present the results of their research at least once during their tenure at the Center. Fellows will receive a stipend in accordance with national guidelines. There are no teaching requirements for external or post doctoral fellows.
The fellowship period at the postdoctoral level will be for two years, from September 1, 2026 to May 15, 2028. The fellowship can be extended for one year, not to exceed three years in total. The extension is not guaranteed and will be granted only if the Committee decides that such an extension will benefit both the applicant and the Humanities Center. Fellows will submit their request (including their updated CV and a personal statement) for a third-year extension no later than November 1st, and the decision will be made by the Fellowship Subcommittee no later than December 31.
Applications should include the following:
- A cover letter
- A research proposal of no more than 1000 words
- A C.V.
- A writing sample
- Three confidential letters of recommendation
For further information contact humanities@rochester.edu