Research & Impact Manager (ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship, Humanities PhD) The Center for Cultural Power in United States

The Center for Cultural Power, in collaboration with the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), is seeking a Research & Impact Manager as part of the 2026 ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship. This opportunity is designed for recent PhDs in the humanities or interpretive social sciences who are passionate about advancing justice and equity through research and impact assessment in nonprofit settings. The Center for Cultural Power is dedicated to igniting change at the intersection of art, culture, and social justice, making this fellowship ideal for candidates interested in leveraging their academic expertise to drive social impact.

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship places recent humanities PhDs with nonprofit organizations committed to promoting justice and equity in their communities. Fellows take on substantive roles that utilize advanced communication, research, project management, and creative problem-solving skills developed during their doctoral studies. The Research & Impact Manager will contribute to the Center’s mission by supporting research initiatives, evaluating program impact, and collaborating with diverse teams to foster cultural and social change.

Eligibility requirements include holding a PhD in the humanities or interpretive social sciences conferred between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2026. Eligible fields encompass a wide range of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, history, political science, philosophy, art, literature, communication studies, media studies, and religious studies. Applicants must be authorized to work legally in the United States for the entire duration of the fellowship, as neither ACLS nor the host organization can sponsor visas. The program does not accept applications from those with degrees in certain applied or professional fields, and master’s degrees are not accepted as substitutes for the PhD.

The fellowship offers competitive funding: remote fellows receive $70,000 in year one and $72,000 in year two, while in-person fellows receive $72,000 and $74,000, respectively. All fellows are provided with health insurance, professional development funding, and up to $5,000 in relocation support for those moving for in-person roles. The fellowship tenure is 24 months, beginning in September 2026.

To apply, candidates must submit an online application through the ACLS system, including a completed form, tailored cover letter(s), resume(s), and a list of three references. More information about the fellowship, eligibility, and application process can be found at the ACLS website. The application deadline is March 11, 2026, at 9:00 PM EDT.

This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for recent PhDs to apply their humanistic training to real-world challenges, build organizational capacity, and advance justice and equity in society through impactful research and collaboration.