About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University is inviting applications for its 2027–2028 Postdoctoral Fellowship programme. The fellowship is designed for exceptional early-career scholars working in the humanities and humanistic social sciences.
The programme provides fellows with an opportunity to pursue independent research, gain teaching experience, and participate in an interdisciplinary scholarly community at Columbia University in New York City.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the fellowship provides $81,200, together with a $7,000 research allowance, medical benefits, and housing availability.
The application deadline is 12 October 2026.
About the Society of Fellows at Columbia University
The Society of Fellows in the Humanities is part of the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities at Columbia University in New York City.
Established in the mid-1970s, the Society was created to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research. Since the 1980s, it has been housed at the Heyman Center for the Humanities.
The programme brings scholars from different disciplines together and encourages collaboration across the humanities and humanistic social sciences.
Fellows have opportunities to:
Conduct their own research.
Teach in affiliated Columbia University departments.
Participate in interdisciplinary scholarly discussions.
Attend and contribute to academic events.
Engage with the wider intellectual community at Columbia University.
The fellowship is supported by the Mellon Foundation and the William R. Kenan Trust.
Columbia Society of Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship Details
Fellowship InformationDetailsFellowshipSociety of Fellows in the Humanities Postdoctoral FellowshipInstitutionColumbia UniversityLocationNew York, United StatesAcademic Year2027–2028Fellowship Amount$81,200Research Allowance$7,000BenefitsMedical benefits and housing availabilityAcademic LevelPostdoctoralEligibilityPhD or equivalent received within the specified periodApplication Deadline12 October 2026
Newly appointed fellows receive a one-year fellowship, which may be renewed for up to two additional years.
Eligibility and Academic Requirements
Applicants for the 2027–2028 Society of Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship must have received their PhD between 1 July 2023 and 1 July 2027.
The fellowship is intended for early-career scholars whose research falls within the humanities broadly construed, including relevant areas of the humanistic social sciences.
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate:
Strong academic preparation.
Outstanding scholarly potential.
A clear and well-developed research agenda.
Research that fits within the humanities or relevant humanistic social sciences.
The ability to contribute meaningfully to an interdisciplinary scholarly environment.
The Society seeks scholars who can engage with ideas and research beyond the boundaries of a single academic discipline.
Applicants should carefully review the official fellowship requirements and terms before submitting an application.
What the Columbia Postdoctoral Fellowship Provides
Successful fellows will receive a fellowship amount of $81,200 for the 2027–2028 academic year.
In addition to the fellowship payment, fellows receive:
$7,000 research allowance
Medical benefits
Housing availability
Opportunities for teaching
Access to an interdisciplinary academic community
The research allowance can provide valuable support for research-related activities.
Fellows are also expected to participate actively in the intellectual life of the Society of Fellows and Heyman Center for the Humanities. This may include attending and organising lectures, workshops, scholarly events, and other academic activities.
Teaching and Research Opportunities
A major feature of the Society of Fellows programme is its combination of independent research and teaching.
Fellows have opportunities to teach in affiliated Columbia University departments while maintaining dedicated time to pursue their own research.
This combination can be particularly valuable for early-career scholars seeking to:
Strengthen their academic research profile.
Gain additional university teaching experience.
Develop relationships with scholars from different disciplines.
Expand their academic networks.
Explore interdisciplinary approaches to research.
Prepare for long-term academic careers.
The programme's interdisciplinary structure encourages fellows to engage with scholars and ideas across different areas of the humanities and humanistic social sciences.
How to apply