For Graduate Students

These fellowships are intended to support graduate students from across the humanities to advance their research during one quarter of their pre-dissertation year. To clarify, this is the year prior to their Dissertation Year Award. These funds may be used for stipend support for one academic quarter and/or may provide support for legitimate research and travel expenses.

Fellowships will be for up to $10,000. In normal circumstances, the quarter in question will fall during the regular academic year, since the intent of this program is to free students from the demands of working as a TA during a portion of the academic year preceding their dissertation year.

Please note that the Division will allow recipients of the award to work up to 25% the quarter they are on this fellowship. Nevertheless, applications for summer support will be considered, though such applications should also include a note from the student’s advisor or department chair, explaining (a) why support for a summer fellowship is preferable, and (b) what the student’s support package will involve (TA-ship, RA-ship, fellowship, etc.) during AY 26-2y.  Please note, the department will be responsible for the quarterly fees if the applicant is selected for the fellowship.

Eligibility

• Enrolled graduate student in the Division of Humanities.
• Each department may nominate one student only
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Applications Materials to be submitted in one PDF document

1. CV;
2. Two-page (maximum) description of the student’s proposed use of funding, including a budget. Budget items may include any legitimate research expense, including (but not limited to) travel. Stipend support for up to one academic quarter is also allowable;
3. Letter of recommendation from the student’s dissertation director or other suitable faculty member.

Please consult with your individual department student affairs officer on the process for being nominated for this fellowship.

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for AY 26-27 will be set by their department. Please contact your department Student Affairs Advisor to learn more. The Department deadline for submission to the dean’s office is March 6, 2026.

These fellowships provide funds for travel and living expenses for UCLA graduate students in the Humanities to conduct research in foreign countries. Awards typically range from $2,000 to $6,000 each, depending on the extent of the research proposed. Awards can cover a period ranging from three months to one year.

These fellowships are meant for research only and are not to be used for activities such as enrolling in foreign institutions or paying tuition at UCLA. Projects should be new proposals that have not been previously funded through a Division of Humanities travel award.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be graduate students in the Division of Humanities.
• Each department may nominate one student.
• Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Applications materials to be submitted in one PDF document

1. CV;
2. Two-page (maximum) description of the student’s proposed project including the following details: a budget breakdown that specifies the length of time to be spent abroad, explanation of the need to travel abroad, information about the archival holdings and locations the student needs to visit, and evidence substantiating that the project can be carried out, such as supporting letters from archives abroad;
3. Letter of recommendation from the student’s dissertation director or other suitable faculty member.

Please consult with your individual department’s student affairs officer on the process for being nominated for this fellowship.

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for AY 26-27 will be set by their department. Please contact your department’s student affairs advisor to learn more.

Departments must submit nominations to the dean’s office by March 6, 2026.

This fellowship supports a humanities graduate student research that utilizes digital tools with a preference for interdisciplinary research in the Digital Humanities. This fellowship provides $6,000 for a student to conduct research during summer 2026. Research may or may not be related to a student’s dissertation. Award period covers three months, July through September.

Eligibility

• Enrolled graduate student in the Division of Humanities
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Application Materials

Please submit the following three items in a single PDF document:

1. Research proposal no longer than four pages, double spaced, 12 pt. type, 1-inch margins. Please include short abstract of this proposal no longer than 250 words
2. CV
3. Budget, including (but not limited to) travel and living expenses

In a separate document, each applicant should email a letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor supporting the research project.

All application materials should be sent directly to Barbara Van Nostrand, bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu.

Deadline

Deadline for nominations is March 6, 2026. Please submit your self-nomination to Barbara Van Nostrand at bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu.

These fellowships provide funds for travel and living expenses for UCLA graduate students in the Humanities to conduct research in foreign countries. Awards typically range from $2,000 to $8,000 each, depending on the extent of the research proposed.

Awards can cover a period ranging from three months to one year. These fellowships are meant for research only and are not to be used for activities such as enrolling in foreign institutions. Projects should be new proposals that have not been previously funded through a Division of Humanities travel award.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be graduate students in the Division of Humanities.
• Each department may nominate one student.
• Nominees must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Application materials to be submitted in one PDF document

1. CV;
2. Two-page (maximum) description of the student’s proposed project including the following details: a budget breakdown that specifies the length of time to be spent abroad, explanation of the need to travel abroad, information about the archival holdings and locations the student needs to visit, and evidence substantiating that the project can be carried out, such as supporting letters from archives abroad;
3. Letter of recommendation from the student’s dissertation director or other suitable faculty member.

Please consult with your individual department’s student affairs officer on the process for being nominated for this fellowship.

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for AY 26-27 will be set by individual departments. Please contact your department’s student affairs advisor to learn more.

Departments must submit nominations to the dean’s office by March 6, 2026.

The Division of Humanities invites nominations for the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Fellowship for Excellence in Persian Studies for 2026-27. This current year cycle is intended to support one graduate student from across the humanities or social sciences who has an approved dissertation topic focusing on Persian/Iranian studies.

The fellowship provides $30,000 in direct support and may not be used to cover fees or tuition. Tuition and fees must be covered by the fellow’s home department. The recipient may work up to 50% while on this fellowship. The fellowship recipient will be permitted to apply for a second year of support, but the second year is not guaranteed.

The recipient will be required to provide a letter outlining progress during the fellowship year and any notable accomplishments produced as a result of the fellowship. All applications should include the following materials:

Eligibility

• Enrolled full-time at UCLA and completed coursework for the Ph.D. program within the Humanities or Social Sciences divisions
• Have an approved dissertation topic focusing on Persian/Iranian studies (may be advancing to candidacy in the next year, preference for ABD candidates)
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout Ph.D. studies
• Demonstrated strong interest and excellence in Persian/Iranian studies

Application Materials

• Curriculum vitae
• Two-page (maximum) description of student’s dissertation work that also outlines how the fellowship year will support progress toward the Ph.D.
• Letter of recommendation from the student’s dissertation director or other suitable faculty member sent directly to Barbara Van Nostrand: bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu
• Letter or email from your department student affairs officer/admin confirming support of fees for AY 26-27

Students may self-nominate. Please submit your nomination to Barbara Van Nostrand at bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu. A committee composed of faculty representatives from Humanities and Social Sciences will review and rank applicants and award notifications will be sent to departments and candidates by end of May 2026.

Deadline for nominations

April 3, 2026