Frequently Asked Questions
I hold a position that is at the same level as an Assistant Professor, but I have a different title that is not "Assistant Professor". Can I apply for the Mellon Fellowship?
No, to be considered for a Mellon Fellowship, applicants must hold the title of “Assistant Professor” at a college or university in the U.S. or Canada.
I am an Assistant Professor. Should I apply only for the Mellon Fellowship, or can I also apply for a regular Membership?
You can apply both for Membership and for the Mellon Fellowship.
May I apply to both the School of Historical Studies and the School of Social Science?
No, applicants may only apply to one School. To determine which School would be the most appropriate to apply to, please visit the School of Historical Studies and the School of Social Science webpages to see which School would best support your research.
How many times can I be a Member or Visitor in the School of Historical Studies?
It is only possible to come to the School of Historical Studies twice in a lifetime as a Member and three times in a lifetime as a Visitor. This also applies to former Members from the Schools of Mathematics, Natural Sciences or Social Science.
Former members who were previously in residence for a full year may re-apply for a Membership or Visitorship only after a 5-year waiting period (3 years for single-term Members and Visitors) has fully passed. For example, the earliest a full-year member in 2021-22 could return to the Institute is Fall 2027. The earliest a single-term member in Fall 2021 could return to the Institute is Spring 2025.
All else being equal, preference will be given to the selection of first-time members.
May faculty from Princeton University apply for a Membership?
Only non-tenured faculty from Princeton University may be considered for a Membership with a stipend. Tenured associate professors may only apply for a non-stipendiary Membership. Tenured faculty members, full professors, and emeriti are not eligible for Membership, but may be considered for a Visitorship affiliation. For more information, please write to [email protected].
I have applied for a membership in the past. Do I have to write a new research proposal, or can I resubmit the same proposal sent with my last application?
Applicants who have applied in the past must submit a new application. It is in your best interest to rewrite the proposal to reflect any research developments in the intervening year.
May I update my application after I have submitted it?
No, once you have submitted the application you will no longer have access to it. You may, however, save your work and progress through the application at your own pace.
Are letters of references required?
Applicants who have been awarded a Ph.D. in 2020 or later are required to submit two letters of reference. Referees will receive a link to upload their letters through the application portal.
Are paper applications accepted?
Paper applications will be accepted only under very specific circumstances. If you are unable to submit an online application, please contact [email protected].
Do you accept references from dossier services, such as Interfolio?
We expect letters of recommendation to comment specifically on the application and proposal being submitted. General letters are not helpful to the application.
I have applied for Membership in the past. Can letters of recommendation that were provided for that previous application be used again?
If you've applied in the previous year, your referees can upload the letters of recommendation from the last recent application again. Letters from more than a year ago, however, will not be accepted.
I have published articles in a language other than English. Can they be accepted as writing samples?
Yes, it is acceptable to submit writing samples in languages other than English.
How do I know if my writing sample is eligible for consideration?
In general, the Faculty prefer publications that are already in print. However, if you have a text that is in press and particularly relevant to your research proposal, you may upload it as a writing sample. According to the guidelines set forth by the American Historical Association, the School of Historical Studies deems a publication “in press” if the manuscript has been fully copyedited, and is in the final stages of publication.
Applicants may review these guidelines in Section 8 of the Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct. The School only accepts publications that are either “in press” or already published.
When will I be informed of the decision on my application?
Applicants will be notified of decisions via email by early February 2027.
I received a notification that I am an alternate. When can I expect to learn whether I will be invited as a Member?
The School will promptly notify you via email regarding any updates to your status. The exact timeline varies year to year, but all alternate candidates can expect to receive a notification of their final status by the end of April.
My plans for next year have changed. May I defer my offer, if accepted as a Member?
No, deferrals are not permitted but you are welcome to reapply.
If my application is not successful, may I request feedback on the School's decision?
It is School policy that all deliberations and reviewer comments are considered strictly confidential.
How are stipend amounts determined?
Stipends are determined by the applicant's financial support from their home institution. The School of Historical Studies will offer up to $40,000 for a single term, or up to $80,000 for a full academic year. Note that these are the maximum limits and not the guaranteed amount.
For more information, review the School of Historical Studies Stipend Calculations Page.
How is the stipend paid?
Members can receive their pay directly from the IAS or through their home institution. Taxes are withheld. No indirect costs or fringe benefits are built in, and our stipend awards do not allow for institutional overhead.
What is the travel stipend for incoming members?
The Institute provides a limited reimbursement for Members traveling from outside the Princeton area. The amount is based on the Member’s original location, as listed below. The reimbursement limit is doubled if a Member will be accompanied by any family members:
U.S., Canada, Mexico: $1,000
Beyond the U.S., Canada, and Mexico: $2,000
What is the length of a Membership?
Members may apply for a single term or for the full academic year. The term dates for the 2027-28 academic year are Term I: September 20 - December 17, 2027 and Term II: January 10 - April 14, 2028.
What are the requirements of a Membership in the School of Historical Studies?
The only obligation is to remain in residence in Princeton and to pursue one’s research. Members may participate in seminars and meetings within the Institute, and there are ample opportunities to meet with scholars at nearby universities.
Is residency mandatory?
Yes, Members are required to remain in residence in Princeton during the academic terms. Members may rent on-campus housing, unless they live locally or have accommodations within a 20-mile radius of the Institute. Scholars may not commute from NYC or Philadelphia.
Absences of more than two weekdays during term should be cleared with a member of the Faculty before the plans for the absence are made, and reported in writing to the Administrative Officer of the School. An extended absence of more than 5 days may result in a stipend reduction. For more information, please review the School’s Residency Requirement page.
Where can I find information regarding housing and life at the Institute?
Visit our “Coming to IAS” page for more information for prospective Members. The “Campus Resources” page also provides information about various aspects about living on campus. For details about the IAS apartments, see the “Apartment Descriptions” page.
Is health insurance available through the Institute?
Yes, subsidized healthcare and childcare options are available to Members (some eligibility criteria may apply).
My spouse/partner is a scholar. Are there any opportunities on campus for them?
All spouses and partners accompanying Members at IAS will have access to the library, dining hall, and other shared amenities on campus. More information is available on our “Research Support for Partners/Spouses” page.
If your spouse or partner holds a Ph.D. in Historical Studies or a related field and has at least three publications in print by peer-reviewed sources, they may apply for a Visitorship affiliation. For more information, email [email protected]
May I teach a course at my home institution while I am a Member?
No, Members may not have teaching commitments, remote or in-person, during the period of their membership.
May I hold a concurrent, residential fellowship during my time as a Member?
No.