Wolf Humanities Center Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships, 2027-2028

Eligibility

Scholars who received or will receive their PhD (or DPhil) between May 2022 and December 2026 are eligible to apply. No exceptions will be made.

The PhD (and its international equivalent, such as the DPhil) is the only eligible terminal degree. The degree must be in the humanities or in allied fields, such as anthropology or history of science. Ineligible categories include an MFA or any other doctorate, such as EdD; social scientists; scholars in educational curriculum building; and performing artists (note: scholars of performance are eligible).

Program Details

The Wolf Humanities Center's 2027–2028 Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship appointment is twelve months (July 1, 2027—June 30, 2028) and carries a minimum stipend of $67,000, a $3000 research fund, and discounted single-coverage health insurance.

Fellows also collaborate on the planning of a public symposium on the Center's annual topic, participate in professional development workshops, and are appointed a faculty mentor.

Application Requirements

• Applicant Profile

• Equal Employment Opportunity

• Research Plan: Please provide a detailed research plan for the year and describe how your project contributes to scholarly debates about "Empire."

• Course Proposal: Please provide a proposal for a course related to the theme of “Empire.” The proposal should be no longer than 2 pages, and should contain 1) one paragraph describing the course objectives (what concepts, facts, and skills will the student learn as a result of taking this course); 2) a selective list of readings; 3) a description of one assignment designed to let students engage actively and creatively with the course content. A full syllabus is not expected.

• C.V.

• Writing Sample: Please provide a sample publication or unpublished paper of about 20–25 pages. Page limit does not apply to bibliography or citations.

Contact Information

All forms, documents, and letters must be submitted in Interfolio by end of day on November 1, 2026.

Note that Interfolio is overwhelmed by large numbers of uploads and submissions in the last minutes before an application deadline. Please plan accordingly.

Fill out the three required forms in Interfolio:

• Applicant Profile
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Upload the four required documents in Interfolio: Research Plan, Course Proposal, C.V., and Writing Sample.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.