While it may seem as if there are more opportunities for postdoctoral research funding for scholars with backgrounds in natural or life sciences, there are actually many fellowship programs that actively seek out researchers in the humanities and social sciences. These 14 unique funding opportunities are available to scholars with doctorate degrees (or equivalent academic credentials) in a diverse range of humanities-related disciplines such as public health, journalism, and public policy. Check out these social science and humanities fellowships for postdoctoral research and make sure to bookmark these opportunities to your ProFellow account!
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social and research-based growth. Areas of research include health research, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. 70 fellowships are awarded annually. The two-year fellowships offer a stipend of $70,000 per year.
Belfer Center Fellowships
The Belfer Center at Harvard University offers both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral research fellowships for one year, with a possibility of renewal. Applications for fellowships are welcome from recent recipients of the PhD or equivalent degree, university faculty members, and employees of the government, military, international, humanitarian, and private research institutions who have acquired appropriate professional experience. The Center seeks applications from political scientists, lawyers, economists, those in the natural sciences, and others of diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The Center offers 10-month stipends of $20K -$34K.
CDC Evaluation Fellowship Program
CDC Evaluation Fellows work under the leadership of CDC’s Chief Evaluation Officer; they will be matched with CDC host programs in Atlanta to work on program evaluation activities for/with those programs for two years. Fellows are PhD or master’s degree professionals with backgrounds in evaluation, behavioral and social sciences, public health, and other disciplines relevant to CDC’s work. Successful applicants also typically have significant experience in applied evaluation projects. Fellows are usually based in Atlanta, although they have had some Fellows at CDC Centers in Washington, DC. Fellows receive a monthly stipend depending on education level and experience. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Earth Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Fellows Program provides innovative early career postdoctoral scholars with the opportunity to build a foundation in one of the core disciplines represented within the Earth Institute at Columbia University (i.e., any of the social sciences, earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering sciences and health sciences), and cross-disciplinary expertise related to sustainable development and reducing environmental degradation, poverty, hunger and disease. Earth Institute fellowships will ordinarily be granted for a period of 24 months and include a $12,000 research allowance for the two-year appointment.
Fulbright Global Scholar Award
The Fulbright Global Scholar Award allows U.S. academics and professionals to engage in multi-country, trans-regional projects. As a truly worldwide award, U.S. scholars will be able to propose research or combined teaching/research activity in two to three countries with flexible schedule options; trips can be conducted within one academic year or spread over two consecutive years. Projects are welcome in all disciplines, as well as those with an interdisciplinary focus. Minimum length of the total grant is 3 months, and the maximum is 6 months.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
The Core Fulbright Scholar Program offers over 500 teaching, research or combination teaching/research awards of 2-12 months in over 125 countries. Opportunities are available for college and university faculty and administrators as well as for professionals, artists, journalists, scientists, lawyers, independent scholars and many others. In addition to several new program models designed to meet the changing needs of U.S. academics and professionals, Fulbright is offering more opportunities for flexible, multi-country grants. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
Harvard Environmental Fellows Program
The Harvard University Center for the Environment created the Environmental Fellows program to enable recent doctorate recipients to use and expand Harvard’s extraordinary resources to tackle complex environmental problems. The Environmental Fellows work for two years with Harvard faculty members in any school or department to create new knowledge while also strengthening connections across the University’s academic disciplines. The fellowship includes a salary of $64,000 per year, employee health insurance eligibility, up to $2,500 reimbursement for travel expenses, and a $2,500 allowance for travel and other professional expenses. Candidates with a doctorate or equivalent in any field are eligible, and they may propose research projects in any discipline.
James Smithson Fellowship Program
The James Smithson Fellowship Program is a 1-year opportunity for post-doctoral students and scholars in the fields of science, humanities and the arts. Candidates should be interested in gaining a better understanding of the interplay between research and public policy and discourse. Fellows are immersed with Smithsonian researchers and relevant collections and receive hands-on experience exploring relationships between research and public policy through interaction with Smithsonian and policy leaders in Washington, D.C. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have received their doctorate within 5 years. Fellows receive a stipend of $53,000.
Leibniz-DAAD Fellowship Program
Launched in 2011, the Leibniz-DAAD Research Fellowship offers highly-qualified recent foreign postdocs the opportunity to conduct special research at institutes of the Leibniz Association in Germany. Fellows can do their research at one of the Leibniz-Institutes which are covered in the following (five) sections: Humanities and Educational Research; Economics, Social and Spatial Sciences; Life Sciences; Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Engineering; and Environmental Research. Grants for postdocs can be awarded for up to a maximum of 12 months.
National Humanities Center Fellowships
The National Humanities Center in North Carolina will offer up to 40 residential fellowships for advanced study in the humanities from September through May. In addition to scholars from all fields of the humanities, the Center accepts individuals from the natural and social sciences, the arts, the professions, and public life who are engaged in humanistic projects. The Center is international in scope and welcomes applications from scholars outside of the United States. Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent scholarly credentials. The Center seeks to provide at least half salary and covers travel expenses for Fellows and dependents.
Newton International Fellowships
The Newton International Fellowship selects the very best early stage post-doctoral researchers from all over the world and offers support for two years at UK research institutions. It is for researchers in the fields of physical, natural and social sciences and the humanities. They provide grants of £24,000 per annum to cover subsistence and up to £8,000 per annum to cover research expenses, plus a one-off relocation allowance of up to £2,000. In addition, Newton Fellows may be eligible for follow-up funding of up to £6,000 per annum for up to 10 years following the completion of the Fellowship.
NYU Postdoctoral and Transition Program for Academic Diversity
NYU Postdoctoral and Transition Program for Academic Diversity Fellowship is a two-year in-residence fellowship at NYU. The purpose of the program is to ensure diverse scholarly environments and to encourage individuals to enter the academic profession. The Fellowship Program is open to all areas of study at the University. Individuals who have completed their dissertation within the last three years or professionals transitioning to academic careers (for those in fields for which the doctorate is not the terminal degree) are eligible to apply. Fellows are appointed as Assistant Professors/Faculty Fellows and receive up to $65,000 in funding.
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Food Security and the Environment
Stanford University’s Center on Food Security and the Environment addresses critical global issues of hunger, poverty and environmental degradation by generating vital knowledge and policy-relevant solutions. The FSE post-doc will be awarded to promising young scholars with a demonstrated ability to do innovative and rigorous work related to global hunger, poverty alleviation, and environmental degradation. Successful candidates will be expected to lead projects of their own design, while also interacting with other faculty and students at FSE. The position is for one year, at a competitive annual salary and benefits package.
Smithsonian Institution Fellowships
Through the Smithsonian’s flagship fellowship program, graduate, pre-doctoral, and post-doctoral students – as well as conservationists and senior scholars – have the opportunity to delve into independent research and study across an incredible range of disciplines at the largest museum in the world. Smithsonian Institution Fellows have access to unparalleled collections, world-class scholars, and state-of-the-art facilities to explore science, art, history, and culture. Fellowship awards range from 10 weeks to 2 years, stipends of $6,500 to $50,000.
© Victoria Johnson 2017, all rights reserved.