The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has announced that applications are now open for the 2025–26 cycle of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Buddhism Public Scholars and New Professorships in Buddhist Studies programs. Both initiatives are supported by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global, which has been a major patron of Buddhist scholarship worldwide.
The Buddhism Public Scholars program places early-career scholars in professional roles at museums, publishers, and cultural institutions. For 2025, ACLS has partnered with five host organizations: the Courtauld Institute of Art (London, UK), the Lion’s Roar Foundation (Halifax, Nova Scotia), the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minnesota), the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art (New York), and the Tricycle Foundation (New York).
ACLS noted that up to five fellows would be selected for one-year placements, with each scholar receiving a stipend, professional development and research funds, and relocation assistance where eligible. According to ACLS, the program seeks candidates with PhDs in the humanities or social sciences conferred between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2026. Applicants must hold work authorization in the host country, as neither ACLS nor the host institutions will sponsor visas.
By connecting emerging scholars with cultural institutions, ACLS aims to strengthen the public understanding of Buddhist traditions in diverse contexts.
To provide prospective applicants with further information, ACLS Program Officer Daphne Weber will host two webinars outlining eligibility, job descriptions, and evaluation criteria. These will take place on 15 October and 2 December.
Alongside the Public Scholars program, ACLS is also inviting applications for The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation New Professorships in Buddhist Studies. These multi-year grants, valued at up to US$300,000, enable colleges and universities around the world to establish or expand courses in Buddhist studies. The funds are designed to support faculty positions over four years.
The professorships program has been instrumental in creating teaching posts at institutions where Buddhist studies had previously been underrepresented. Since its inception in 2014, the foundation has supported new positions at leading universities in North America, Europe, and Asia, significantly increasing opportunities for students to study Buddhism in its historical and contemporary forms.
The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global, founded in Hong Kong in 2005, has long championed Buddhist scholarship, arts, and culture. The foundation emphasizes the principle of interconnectedness and funds initiatives aimed at enhancing human and environmental well-being.
Founded in 1919, ACLS is a nonprofit federation of 81 scholarly organizations representing the humanities and social sciences. Its mission is to uphold knowledge as a public good and to advance diversity, access, and global collaboration in research and education.
Applications for both programs must be submitted via the ACLS online system. The council has requested that candidates not contact host institutions directly. Applications must be submitted by 27 January 2026.
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