Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Grant

Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Council of Learned Societies
Last Updated: September 25, 2025

Summary

The Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe (SISECSE) is a collaborative two-week workshop designed for scholars to focus on their research in a supportive environment. Hosted by ACLS and the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia, this event will take place in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria from June 3 to June 19, 2026. Participants will have the chance to engage in local fieldwork and will receive support for travel and accommodation expenses.

Overview

The Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe (SISECSE) is a two-week residential workshop that provides scholars of Eastern Europe time and space to dedicate to their own research and writing in a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. ACLS in partnership with the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS) will convene leading scholars from Eastern Europe and North America for a two-week residency in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria from June 3, 2026 to June 19, 2026. SISECSE will also provide participating scholars with the opportunity to undertake local fieldwork, including archival or collections research, interviews, site surveys, or other forms of data collection. Fieldwork is not a requirement for participation. This program is made possible thanks to a generous donation by Carl and Betty Pforzheimer. Details The program will offer a stipend for travel to and from Bulgaria and cover accommodation and per diem expenses for the two-week residency.Participating scholars will be expected to be in residence and to take part in all planned events for the duration of the institute.Participating scholars may undertake local fieldwork, including archival or collections research, interviews, site surveys, and other forms of data collection.There will be at least one weekend group trip.Applicants should submit their research proposals and supporting materials through the ACLS online system (see below for the application guidelines).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The competition is open to scholars in any field or discipline in the humanities and social sciences pursuing postdoctoral or advanced research in East Central and Southeastern Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. We seek to foster conversations across generations and fields.Scholars must be based at institutions in North America (Canada, Mexico, US) or East Central and Southeastern Europe (see the list above).Applications must be submitted in English, but the written work produced by the grantee can be in any language. Work proposed must be in the humanities and social sciences and must employ humanistic approaches and methods.