How to apply for Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities?

 Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities 2025-26

The Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities is a prestigious opportunity offered by the Wolf Humanities Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Each year, five scholars are selected for this one-year fellowship, which provides a platform for interdisciplinary research, teaching, and collaboration with the Center’s academic community. If you're an early-career scholar, no more than five years out of your PhD, and looking to deepen your academic journey, this fellowship might be the perfect fit.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the theme is Truth. Fellows will engage in a stimulating environment at Penn, participate in a Mellon Research Seminar, teach a course, and take part in professional development activities. Scholars from across the globe, especially those not yet in tenure-track positions, are encouraged to apply.

Benefits of the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship

The fellowship offers numerous advantages to scholars:

• Stipend: A generous stipend of at least $66,300 for the fellowship year.
• Research Fund: Fellows receive a $3,000 fund for research activities.
• Health Insurance: Discounted single-coverage health insurance is available.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fellows will engage with faculty across Penn’s humanities departments and contribute to a public symposium on Truth.
• Professional Development: Workshops and seminars to enhance your academic and career growth.
• Mentorship: Each fellow is assigned a faculty mentor to guide them through the fellowship year.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent (such as a DPhil) in the humanities or allied fields like anthropology or history of science.
• Scholars who earned their PhD between May 2020 and September 2025 are eligible.
• Those with PhDs from the University of Pennsylvania are welcome to apply.
• International scholars (outside of North America) will need a J-1 visa to participate.
• Preference is given to scholars not in tenure-track positions, and those who have not yet accessed Penn’s resources.
• Applicants must be in residence at Penn for the fellowship period.

Required Documents

You will need to submit the following documents for your application:

1. Research Plan (max 1,000 words, excluding bibliography).
2. Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) detailing your academic achievements.
3. Writing Sample (approximately 20-25 pages).
4. Request three confidential letters of recommendation.

How to Apply for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship

To apply, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Interfolio portal and create an account.
2. Complete the five required forms:
   • Applicant Profile & Education
   • Applicant Research
   • Proposed Course Description
   • Equal Employment Opportunity
   • "Where did you hear about this position?"
3. Upload your research plan, C.V., and writing sample.
4. Submit requests for three confidential recommendation letters.
5. Ensure all materials are uploaded by November 3, 2024.

Be sure to submit well before the deadline to avoid delays, as the Interfolio system can experience heavy traffic close to the cutoff time.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Humanities is Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Results will be announced in February 2025.

This fellowship offers an extraordinary chance to grow as a scholar in an interdisciplinary academic community. If you’re passionate about the theme of Truth and meet the eligibility criteria, don’t miss this opportunity to advance your career and academic research at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information and to apply, visit the Official page. 

Also, check out Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship.