How to apply for Humane Studies Fellowship, Funding for PhD Students

About Institute for Humane Studies

The Institute for Humane Studies is a US nonprofit that develops and connects scholars applying principles of freedom to advance policy, culture, and human flourishing. It funds PhD students whose research, writing, and conference work fall within the liberal tradition. This fellowship is for PhD students who want grant support for research completion, sabbaticals, conference presentations, and journal submissions.

About the role

This is a fellowship for full-time PhD students at any stage, including international students, with priority to those at top research institutions. Fellows receive grants to support research projects, writing, conferences, and publications within the liberal tradition. Fellows must submit copies of research completed or published during the fellowship period and provide progress updates.

A typical day

A fellow spends time on research, writing, conference presentations, or journal submissions supported by the grant. The role does not involve a fixed daily schedule or team, so ask the Institute for Humane Studies about expected progress updates and reporting. Exact daily routines are not described in the job details.

Who Institute for Humane Studies is looking for

• Full-time PhD student at any stage of the program, including international students, with priority given to those at top research institutions.
• Research, writing, or publication work that falls within the liberal tradition.
• Able to use grant funds for eligible activities such as research completion, sabbaticals for writing, conference presentations, or journal submissions.
• Willing to submit copies of research completed or published during the fellowship period and provide progress updates.

Tips for this application

• Apply through the Institute for Humane Studies and expect award notification within eight weeks of submission, since review is rolling.
• Make clear in your materials how your project fits within the liberal tradition, because that is the stated subject area for funded work.
• State your PhD stage and institution, since the fellowship is open to all stages but gives priority to top research institutions.
• Describe which eligible activities the grant would support, such as research completion, a writing sabbatical, conference presentations, or journal submissions.
• Confirm you can submit copies of research completed or published during the fellowship period and provide progress updates, and mention this in your application.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain how your research, writing, or publication project fits within the liberal tradition. State your PhD stage, institution, and whether you are a full-time student. List the eligible activities you need funding for, such as research completion, a sabbatical for writing, conference presentations, or journal submissions. Confirm your willingness to submit copies of completed or published research and provide progress updates during the fellowship.

Research before applying

• Read the Institute for Humane Studies website to understand how it defines the liberal tradition and which scholars it has funded.
• Look at previously funded projects or fellows to see the range of research, writing, conferences, and publications it supports.
• Check the Institute for Humane Studies application page for the exact grant amounts, eligible expenses, and reporting requirements.
• Find out whether the fellowship has specific deadlines or if review is truly rolling, and confirm the eight-week notification window.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How does your research or writing project fit within the liberal tradition?
• What stage of your PhD are you in, and what is your expected timeline for research completion or publication?
• Which eligible activities would this grant support, and what is your budget for them?
• How will you submit copies of research completed or published during the fellowship period?
• What progress updates can you provide during the fellowship, and how often?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a project that does not clearly fall within the liberal tradition, since that is the stated subject area for funded work.
• Ignoring the requirement to submit copies of research completed or published during the fellowship period and provide progress updates.
• Applying without confirming you are a full-time PhD student, since that is a stated eligibility requirement.