For Graduate Students

The Division of Humanities invites nominations for the Mellon Foundation Pre-Dissertation Fellowships. 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 the student’s dissertation year award year.)

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. 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 (for example, a TA-ship, RA-ship or fellowship) during the 2027-28 academic year.

Please note: The student’s academic department will be responsible for the quarterly fees if the applicant is selected for the fellowship.

Each department may nominate one student.

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 submit nominations to Barbara Van Nostrand at bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu, and please ensure that each nomination is submitted as a single PDF and is marked as a nomination for the Mellon Pre-dissertation Fellowship.

Application deadline

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for the current grant cycle will be set by your academic department; please contact your department’s student affairs advisor for details. 

The deadline for departments’ submissions to the dean’s office is March 5, 2027.

The Division of Humanities invites nominations for the Richard and Gerrie Leeds International Graduate Travel Fellowships. 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 about 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.

Each department may nominate one student.

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 submit nominations to Barbara Van Nostrand at bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu, and please ensure that each nomination is submitted as a single PDF and is marked as a nomination for the Leeds Fellowship.

Application deadline

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for the current grant cycle will be set by your academic department; please contact your department’s student affairs advisor for details. 

The deadline for departments’ submissions to the dean’s office is March 5, 2027.

The Division of Humanities invites nominations for the Harry and Yvonne Lenart Graduate Travel Fellowships. 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. These fellowships are meant for research only and are not to be used for activities such as enrolling in foreign institutions.

These fellowships are meant for research only and are not to be used for activities such as enrolling in foreign institutions.

Each department may nominate one student.

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 submit nominations to Barbara Van Nostrand at bvannost@humnet.ucla.edu, and please ensure that each nomination is submitted as a single PDF and is marked as a nomination for the Lenart Fellowship.

Application deadline

The application deadline for students to submit their materials to their department for the current grant cycle will be set by your academic department; please contact your department’s student affairs advisor for details. 

The deadline for departments’ submissions to the dean’s office is March 5, 2027.

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 2027.

Research may or may not be related to a student’s dissertation. The award covers the period from July to September 2027.

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 have the faculty mentor who is supporting their research project submit a letter of recommendation.

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

Deadline

The deadline for all application materials is March 5, 2027.

Please note: The following information is from the 2025-26 grant cycle. Please watch for updated information and a new deadline for 2026-27.

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