The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), working in partnership with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global and Yale University Press, has announced the launch of Global Buddhism, a new book series dedicated to advancing the field of Buddhist studies. The series will be a platform to publish the first books of awardees of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies, drawing on research supported by the program’s fellowships and grants.
The series will feature monographs in English that explore Buddhist traditions across historical periods and geographic regions. “The Global Buddhism series is ‘global’ in two senses of that term,” said senior advisor to The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies and the series’ editor Donald S. Lopez, Jr. “First, it follows Buddhism not only across Asia but around the world. And second, it recognizes Buddhism in all its incarnations, from the time of the Buddha to the present day.” (ACLS)
The project is made possible through the continued support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global, which recently extended a US$7.5 million grant to ACLS. The funding supports a wide range of initiatives, from dissertation and postdoctoral fellowships to academic symposia and scholarly mentoring, aimed at fostering a robust global network of emerging Buddhist studies scholars.
The first call for submissions to the Global Buddhism series will open in summer 2025. Eligible applicants include current and former fellows of the Ho Foundation’s program. Manuscripts will undergo a competitive review process led by an editorial board of scholars in the field. Up to three works will be selected for publication during the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years.
The program officer for Buddhist Studies at ACLS, Daphne Weber, emphasized the significance of the initiative for supporting early-career researchers. “By prioritizing support for first books by outstanding new scholars in the field, this series will affirm our commitment to the next generation,” Weber stated. (ACLS)
Since its establishment in 2013 and launch in 2014, the collaboration between the ACLS and The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies has played a vital role in shaping the field. More than 100 scholars have received support for doctoral dissertations, postdoctoral research, translation work, and other projects. In addition to financial awards, the program offers professional development resources and international networking opportunities, fostering a diverse, global community of Buddhist scholars.
The foundation is guided by the principle of interconnectedness, supporting initiatives in Buddhist and cultural studies that promote the well-being of humanity and the environment. In alignment with this mission, the Global Buddhism series is aimed at broadening scholarly and public engagement with the diversity of Buddhist traditions and their relevance to contemporary global issues.
Yale University Press, the publishing partner for the series, brings a longstanding reputation for academic excellence. As part of Yale University, the press upholds the institution’s commitment to “lux et veritas”—light and truth—by publishing works that support rigorous scholarship, interdisciplinary exploration, and informed public discourse.
The Global Buddhism series represents a significant infrastructure expansion for Buddhist studies, providing a high-profile venue for emerging voices in the field. It continues a broader trend of internationalizing Buddhist scholarship and ensuring its accessibility beyond specialist circles. As Lopez noted: “With the Global Buddhism series, that support extends to the first book, opening new vistas along the way.” (ACLS)
See more
New Partnership to Publish Interdisciplinary, Transregional Publications in Buddhist Studies (ACLS)
New Partnership to Publish Interdisciplinary, Transregional Publications in Buddhist Studies (PR Newswire)
The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies (ACLS)
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