AIAR Fellowships & Awards

The Albright is committed to engaging the next generation of researchers through its fellowships. Fellowship terms vary from one to up to 6 months and come with a stipend that is used in part for room/board at the Albright. Applications are open to students and scholars in Near Eastern studies from prehistory through the twenty-first century, including the fields of archaeology, assyriology, anthropology, biblical studies, art history, epigraphy, historical geography, literature, and religion. We also encourage applications from scholars and graduate students in related disciplines, including museum studies, cultural heritage, and preservation, pursuing projects that focus on contemporary engagement with the pre-modern past. The research period should be continuous, without frequent trips outside the country.

Residence at the Albright is required, and no exceptions can be made. The option to accommodate dependents is subject to space available at the Albright. All awards are subject to the availability of funds. In certain cases, funding is not guaranteed until September of the fellowship year. The Albright does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.

Applications for 2024-2025 Are Closed

2025–2026 Fellowships will Be Available September 2024

$70,000 available for up to three awards from 4 to 6 months. The award is $5,000 per month. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to post-doctoral scholars who are U.S. citizens (or alien residents for at least three years). Applicants must have completed all requirements, except for the actual conferral of the degree, by the application deadline for the fellowship. This Fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026

Application Materials:

  • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
  • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
  • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
  • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
  • Three letters of reference
  • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$12,000 award for 4 months (three awards available). Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to doctoral students and recent Ph.D. (degree granted within last 5 years) recipients who are American, Israeli, or Palestinian citizens. This Fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

 

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference
      • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$12,000 award for 4 months. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to doctoral students who are US citizens. While all topics will be considered, those involving the study of archaeology and society at the household level are encouraged. This Fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

 

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference
      • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$12,000 award for 4 months. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to all doctoral students and recent Ph.D. (degree granted within last 5 years) recipients of all nationalities. This Fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

 

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference
      • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$13,500 award for 4 months. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to post-doctoral scholars of any nationality. The Annual Professor is expected to be a leader among the community of fellows, and mentor to younger fellows while in residence. As such, the recipient is expected to assist the Albright’s Director in planning and implementing the Ernest S. Frerichs Program for Albright Fellows, and to organize informal events to build community among the residents. A working knowledge of living and traveling in Israel and Palestine is desirable. Contact the director with any questions related to the duties of the position. This fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$20,000 award for 4 months (two awards available). Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to internationally-recognized senior scholars of all nationalities that have made significant contributions to their field of study. This fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

 

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

$13,500 award for 4 months. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to post-doctoral scholars who are also US, Israeli, or Palestinian citizens. The Annual Professor is expected to be a leader among the community of fellows, and mentor to younger fellows while in residence. As such, the recipient is expected to assist the Albright’s Director in planning and implementing the US State Department Educational And Cultural Affairs (ECA) Program for Albright Fellows, and to organize informal events to build community among the residents. A working knowledge of living and traveling in Israel and Palestine is desirable. Contact the director with any questions related to the duties of the position. This fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
      • Three letters of reference

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

Short-Term Albright-Funded Fellowships

$3,000 award for 1 month. Room and half-board at the Institute is $1,500 per month and the remainder is stipend.

Open to doctoral, post-doctoral, and senior scholars of all nationalities. This Fellowship is for a residential period between 1 June 2025 and 31 August 2026. Residency at the Institute in Jerusalem is required and no exceptions can be granted.

Application Materials:

      • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
      • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
      • Statement of Proposed Research (1,000 word maximum)
      • Bibliography (500 word maximum)
      • Two letters of reference
      • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)

These materials are to be submitted through the application portal, which will open fall 2024.

Co-Sponsored Fellowships

This fellowship is temporarily paused. Please check again next year. £3,000 award to support research that requires access to the PEF archives and collection and also time spent in residence at the Albright Institute in Jerusalem. Open to all doctoral and post-doctoral researchers of all nationalities. This fellowship is for a residential period between 1 September 2025 and 31 May 2026. A minimum of 10 working days at the PEF in Greenwich, London, and 1 month minimum stay at the AIAR in Jerusalem is required. The The room and half-board at the Institute ($1,500 per month) will come from the award, with the rest being a flexible stipend for other activities. The working days at the PEF may be completed anytime from the granting of the award until 31 May 2026.

Application Materials:
    • Project Abstract (200 word maximum)
    • CV (2 page maximum, 10 pt font)
    • Statement of Proposed Research (2,000 word maximum)
    • Bibliography (1,000 word maximum)
    • Three letters of reference
    • Transcripts (for PhD candidates and graduates within the last 5 years)
    These materials are to be submitted through the application portal. Queries related to the PEF should be sent to chair.pef@gmail.com. Queries related to the AIAR should be sent to gatesfos@email.unc.edu.

Awards

This prize provides $750 for the best paper presented at a conference which treats a topic in the field of Syro-Palestinian or Biblical Archaeology

Authors must be Ph.D. candidates in the semester in which the winner is announced (Spring 2024). They may be of any nationality but the paper must be in English. Submissions must be conference papers not already published or prepared for submission to a publication. Co-written or co-presented pieces may be submitted if all the authors or presenters are doctoral candidates; the prize, if awarded, will be divided equally among authors or presenters.

All submissions must be in PDF format only. Submissions must be conference papers not already published or prepared for submission to a publication. Conference papers must include images (if used in the presentation) in PDF format (either as a separate document or embedded within the text of the paper), and full citations and bibliographic references.

Applications are due February 1, 2024.

Outside-Funded Fellowships

Currently not open for applications.

$7,000 to be used to cover transportation, one month on a specific dig, and one month of travel to other digs, combined with a one-month residency (room and half-board) at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem.

Applicants must be American or American-based Ph.D. candidates or non-tenured faculty members, or graduate students in the field of Biblical Studies who wish to acquire elementary, first-hand experience in the field of archaeology.

For more information on this fellowship: https://www.asor.org/william-dever-fellowships/

The next call for applications will launch in August 2023.

Approximately nine awards of $11,500 for scholars to carry out research in two or more countries outside the US, at least one of which must host a participating Overseas Research Center.

Open to US doctoral candidates who are all but dissertation, and scholars who have earned their Ph.D. The fellowship supports advanced research in the humanities, social sciences, and allied natural sciences.

For more information on this fellowship: https://www.caorc.org/multi-fellowship-guidelines

Several opportunities exist under the Fulbright Program for working at the Albright Institute. Consult with the Albright Director before applying as our location and the nature of your project may fall under the jurisdiction of one of two Fulbright committees:

https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/country/palestinian-territories
https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/country/israel

For further information:

Dr. Jennifer Gates-Foster
Chair, Albright Fellowship Committee
Associate Professor
Department of Classics
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

gatesfos@email.unc.edu