CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship in Hellenic Studies (Greece)

The CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship Program supports scholars in ancient history, epigraphy, numismatics, and classical archaeology through research residencies in Washington, DC, and Athens. Fellows receive research support, housing, stipends, health insurance, library access, and professional research resources during a one-year fellowship, with applications open to qualified scholars regardless of nationality.

What Is the CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship Program?

The CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship Program is a collaborative research fellowship supporting advanced scholarship in the study of the ancient Mediterranean world.

The programme provides fellows with research residencies at two major academic centres:

The Center for Hellenic Studies (CHS) in Washington, DC
The Institute of Historical Research (IHR) in Athens

The fellowship is particularly valuable for research that requires access to resources in both the United States and Greece.

What Fields Does the Fellowship Support?

The programme focuses on scholarly research in areas including:

Ancient history
Epigraphy
Numismatics
Classical archaeology
Classics and related disciplines

Applicants should propose research projects that can benefit substantially from the libraries, archives, archaeological resources, artefacts, and academic communities available through CHS and IHR.

Why Does the Fellowship Matter?

The fellowship gives scholars an opportunity to conduct sustained research while working directly with two important academic and research communities.

It is particularly useful for projects requiring:

Specialized library collections
Archival research
Greek archaeological resources
Access to artefacts and historical materials
Research in Athens and surrounding archaeological sites
Academic collaboration and scholarly exchange
Access to the Harvard library system

Fellows are expected to participate actively in the academic communities at both locations rather than treating the fellowship solely as independent research funding.

Fellowship Residency Structure

The fellowship lasts for approximately one academic year and includes two research residencies.

Washington, DC Residency

Fellows spend approximately 16 weeks at CHS in Washington, DC.

During this period, fellows are expected to work full time on their research projects and participate in the academic life of CHS.

Athens Residency

Fellows then spend approximately 18 weeks as IHR fellows in Athens.

The Athens residency provides access to:

IHR facilities
Libraries and research collections
Archaeological resources
Archives
Artifacts
Archaeological sites in and around Athens
Local academic networks

What Funding and Benefits Are Provided?

The fellowship provides financial and practical support in both locations.

CHS Support in Washington, DC

During the CHS residency, fellows receive:

A stipend of up to US$25,000
Housing at CHS
Subsidized health insurance
Up to US$1,500 for professional travel and research expenses
Assistance with travel expenses to and from Washington

IHR Support in Athens

During the Athens residency, fellows receive:

A tax-free stipend of approximately €1,500 per month
Housing near IHR
Health insurance coverage

Additional Academic Resources

The fellowship also provides:

A one-year appointment beginning in July
Full access to the Harvard library system
Office facilities at IHR
Opportunities to participate in academic communities in both locations

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the programme’s academic requirements.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a Ph.D. in Classics or a related field
Have defended their doctoral degree before July 1, 2026
Have a research project appropriate to the fellowship’s subject areas
Demonstrate that the project would benefit from CHS and IHR resources

The programme is open to qualified applicants regardless of nationality.

Important Application Restrictions

Applicants should note several restrictions.

Renewals are not permitted.
Deferrals are not permitted.
Applicants may apply for only one type of CHS fellowship per academic year.
The doctoral degree must have been defended before July 1, 2026.

Applicants should carefully verify their eligibility before submitting an application.

What Research Projects Are a Good Fit?

The strongest projects are likely to be those that genuinely require resources available through both CHS and IHR.

Suitable research may involve:

Ancient historical texts
Epigraphic evidence
Ancient coins and monetary history
Classical archaeological sites
Material culture
Ancient Greek history
Archaeological and archival research
Comparative research requiring resources in Washington and Athens

Applicants should explain why both research locations are necessary for the successful completion of their project.

How the Fellowship Works

Step 1: Develop a Research Project

Prepare a clearly defined research project in an eligible field.

The proposal should identify the research question, methodology, expected outcomes, and relevance to ancient studies.

Step 2: Identify Required Resources

Determine which CHS and IHR resources are essential to the project.

These may include:

Libraries
Archives
Archaeological collections
Artefacts
Historical materials
Research facilities
Academic expertise

Step 3: Explain the Two-Centre Research Plan

Clearly explain how the research will benefit from spending time in both Washington, DC, and Athens.

A strong proposal should demonstrate a logical connection between the two residencies.

Step 4: Confirm Academic Eligibility

Verify that the Ph.D. requirement is satisfied and that the degree was defended before July 1, 2026.

Step 5: Prepare the Application Materials

Applicants should carefully prepare all materials required by the official fellowship application system, ensuring that the research proposal and academic credentials clearly demonstrate suitability for the programme.

Step 6: Plan for Full-Time Research

Fellows are expected to devote their time in residence to their research projects.

Applicants should therefore present a realistic research timetable for both locations.

Step 7: Participate in Academic Communities

The fellowship is not solely a funding award.

Selected scholars are expected to engage with the academic communities at CHS and IHR through relevant scholarly activities and interactions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing research unrelated to ancient history, epigraphy, numismatics, classical archaeology, or related fields.
Failing to explain why both CHS and IHR are necessary.
Applying without meeting the Ph.D. requirement.
Assuming that a Ph.D. defended after July 1, 2026 will satisfy the eligibility requirement.
Treating the fellowship solely as travel funding.
Failing to demonstrate how library, archival, or archaeological resources will contribute to the project.
Applying for multiple types of CHS fellowships during the same academic year.
Requesting a deferral or renewal when these are not permitted.

Tips for a Strong Fellowship Application

A competitive application should:

Present a focused and original research question.
Demonstrate strong knowledge of relevant scholarship.
Explain the project’s contribution to the field.
Identify specific resources required at CHS.
Identify specific research opportunities available through IHR and Athens.
Provide a realistic research plan for both residencies.
Demonstrate readiness for independent scholarly research.
Explain how participation in both academic communities will strengthen the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship?

It is a one-year research fellowship that allows scholars to conduct research through residencies at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, DC, and the Institute of Historical Research in Athens.

What fields are supported?

The fellowship supports research in areas including ancient history, epigraphy, numismatics, classical archaeology, Classics, and related fields.

How long do fellows stay in Washington and Athens?

Fellows spend approximately 16 weeks at CHS in Washington, DC, followed by approximately 18 weeks at IHR in Athens.

How much funding is provided in Washington, DC?

CHS provides a stipend of up to US$25,000, along with housing, subsidized health insurance, and up to US$1,500 for professional travel and research expenses.

What support is available in Athens?

IHR provides approximately €1,500 per month tax-free, housing near IHR, and health insurance coverage during the Athens residency.

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Classics or a related field, with the degree defended before July 1, 2026. Qualified applicants from any nationality may apply.

Can fellows renew or defer the fellowship?

No. Renewals and deferrals are not permitted. Applicants may also apply for only one type of CHS fellowship during an academic year.

Conclusion

The CHS-Institute of Historical Research Joint Fellowship Program provides an exceptional research opportunity for scholars working in ancient history, epigraphy, numismatics, classical archaeology, and related fields.

By combining research residencies in Washington, DC, and Athens, the programme gives fellows access to specialized academic resources, libraries, archaeological materials, archives, housing, stipends, health insurance, and scholarly networks. Applicants should demonstrate a strong research project, meet the July 1, 2026 Ph.D. eligibility requirement, and clearly explain how resources at both institutions will contribute to their research.