ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future Grant

The ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future program offers summer opportunities for current PhD students in the humanities and social sciences to engage with organizations addressing the evolving American religious landscape. This initiative aims to cultivate future leaders by providing practical experiences that demonstrate the value of doctoral training beyond academia. Supported by the Templeton Religion Trust, the internships encourage collaboration between fellows and community organizations, fostering a deeper understanding of spiritual infrastructures.

Current PhD students from across all eligible fields of the humanities and social sciences whose dissertation topic relates to the study of religion are encouraged to apply for this fellowship.
Summary
The American Council of Learned Societies is pleased to announce the inaugural competition of the ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future program, which seeks to build a pipeline of leaders prepared to continue work in the changing religious and spiritual infrastructures inside and outside of the academy.
The program places current PhD students studying religion in organizations working in communities across the country, where fellows can contribute to their critical work and explore potential future careers. We aim to demonstrate how the capacities honed in the course of doctoral education, including through advanced research and teaching, have significant practical value beyond the academy. This initiative is made possible through the support of the Templeton Religion Trust.
We expect the internships to foster mutually beneficial partnerships between fellows and their hosting organizations. Each applicant may apply for up to two of the available opportunities. There is a separate selection process for each internship opportunity.
Internship Details
Stipend: $15,400 for in-person positions; $14,000 for remote positions.
Relocation: Up to $2,000 in relocation funds for awardees who relocate for in-person positions.
Tenure: 9 weeks beginning in June 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must be current PhD students in a humanities or social science department in the United States, whose research focus or dissertation topic relate to the study of religion. Applicants’ PhDs may be in any field in the humanities or social sciences.Applicants must be able to take up a 9-week internship in the Summer of 2026, released from normal coursework, assistantships, and all teaching responsibilities.
PhD students at all stages of study are eligible to apply, though they must be enrolled at the time of application, and not planning to graduate before May 2027.

Ineligibility

Master’s students, even if a Master’s is the terminal degree in the field, will not be eligible.