Deadline: 05-Nov-2025
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is offering a travel grant competition open to graduate students in PhD programs and non-tenure track faculty at any career stage. This grant is aimed at supporting travel for research either in China or related to China studies at locations around the world.
The funding allows scholars to conduct research in libraries, archives, and field sites. It also supports connecting with scholars in Chinese-language communities and obtaining permissions necessary for archival or fieldwork research. The goal is to provide resources for meaningful, in-depth study related to China and its global influence.
The Luce/ACLS Program in China Studies prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. It encourages applicants from a wide range of personal, educational, and disciplinary backgrounds. The program values diversity in research topics, methods, and the individuals conducting the work. Selection is not influenced by any personal identity traits such as race, gender, or nationality.
Each grant provides $5,000 for travel expenses during a 12-month grant period. Travel can occur at any time within this period, beginning between July 1 and December 31, 2026. Multiple trips are allowed, and recipients may receive additional support from other sources.
Grant funds can cover transportation, visas, living expenses, access to archives or collections, and costs involved in contacting relevant scholars. Projects must fall within the humanities or social sciences and explore any topic linked to cultures, histories, or societies in China. Regions such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang are also included.
Research on Chinese diaspora topics not directly tied to communities or cultures in China is unlikely to be funded. There are no limitations regarding time periods or methodologies, and scholars at institutions with limited funding resources are especially encouraged to apply.
Eligible projects may lead to a range of outcomes including dissertations, research papers, teaching tools, creative scholarly work, or community-engaged research. Public outreach and student involvement are welcomed, and a final report is required at the end of the grant term.
Applicants must be either PhD students at accredited institutions in the US or Canada, or contingent faculty such as adjuncts and postdocs. Contingent faculty must have a PhD and either be based in the US or Canada or be affiliated with a North American university. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are not eligible. Applicants must also demonstrate working knowledge of Chinese or another relevant language such as Tibetan or Uyghur.
Evaluation will be based on the quality and significance of the research, the need for travel, the strength of the methodology, and the scholar’s institutional support. The application process is conducted online.
Applicants must submit a completed form, a two-page essay describing the research and travel plan, and a one-page work plan outlining the timeline and travel sites. A short contingency plan must also be included, along with a bibliography and optional non-text materials. Graduate students must also provide a reference letter from a dissertation advisor or eligible faculty member. A project budget is not required.
For more information, visit ACLS.
