Description

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased invite applicants for The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars Program, with applications due January 27, 2026, 9:00 PM EST.

This year, ACLS has partnered with two international host organizations to create exciting opportunities for our global community of Buddhist Studies scholars: Lion’s Roar in Halifax, Nova Scotia and The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, UK.

ACLS will place up to five early-career scholars of Buddhism in one-year professional positions with host institutions that present and interpret knowledge of Buddhist traditions. The selected Buddhism Public Scholars will use their academic knowledge and professional experience to bolster the capacity of museums and publishers in Buddhist art and thought in any tradition and location where Buddhism is practiced.

Organizations participating in this competition are:

• The Courtauld Institute of Art (London, United Kingdom)
• Lion’s Roar Foundation (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minneapolis, MN)
• Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art (New York, NY)
• The Tricycle Foundation (New York, NY)

Fellows will receive a stipend, funds for professional development and research expenses, and a relocation allowance, if eligible. Please visit the Buddhism Public Scholars webpage for a breakdown of compensation according to the host location.

Applicants for the Buddhism Public Scholars competition must have a PhD in the humanities or social sciences conferred between September 1, 2020 and June 30, 2026. Applicants must have work authorization in the country in which the host institution is located. Neither ACLS nor the host institution will sponsor scholars for visas.  

ACLS Program Officer Daphne Weber will host an informational webinar for an overview of the hosting organizations and job descriptions, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria on December 2, 2025, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM ET.

Applications will be accepted only through the ACLS online application system. Applicants should not contact any of the host institutions directly. Learn more and apply here.

Requirements

• Applicants must hold a PhD in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited university.
  • An applicant must hold a PhD conferred between September 1, 2018 and June 30, 2026.
  • If the PhD is not conferred (officially awarded) before the application deadline, finalists will be asked to submit a letter from the scholar’s graduate school confirming that the dissertation has been submitted and approved by the graduate school for conferral according to the university calendar. The scholar is responsible for submitting the dissertation on time in order to meet this requirement.
    
    
• Applicants must have work authorization (e.g., citizenship or permanent residency) in the country in which the host institution is located. If you are uncertain of your status or would require assistance with a visa, please contact BuddhistStudies@acls.org to confirm your eligibility. Neither ACLS nor the host institution will sponsor scholars for visas. See FAQ for further information on work authorization.
  • Applicants to US-based host institutions must be authorized to work legally in the United States for the duration of the initial 12-month fellowship term. This includes Indigenous individuals residing in the United States through rights associated with the Jay Treaty of 1794, and those who hold DACA status, Temporary Protected Status, political asylee or refugee status, and other non-permanent status.
  • Applicants to the Courtauld Institute of Art (UK) must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
  • Applicants to Lion’s Roar (Canada) must be authorized to work legally in Canada for the duration of the initial 12-month fellowship term.