The American Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT) has announced its prestigious fellowships for the 2026–2027 academic year, offering scholars and graduate students an exceptional opportunity to conduct advanced research in Turkey.
These fellowships are designed to support research in the humanities and social sciences, spanning ancient, medieval, and modern periods. Whether your project focuses on archaeology, history, art, linguistics, anthropology, or contemporary studies, the ARIT Fellowship provides the platform and resources to bring your research to life in one of the world’s most historically rich countries.
Fellowship Overview
ARIT fellowships offer funding for research periods ranging from one month to a full academic year. The program provides stipends between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the duration and scope of the research. In addition to financial support, fellows benefit from ARIT’s institutional connections and research facilities available through its branch centers in Istanbul and Ankara.
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These centers serve as vital academic hubs, offering access to Turkish scholars, research networks, and archival materials essential for high-level research.
Given the limited funding for the upcoming year, prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare early and present strong, well-structured proposals that clearly demonstrate the value and feasibility of their research projects.
Who Can Apply
The ARIT Fellowships are open to scholars and advanced graduate students from the fields of humanities and social sciences whose research focuses on any historical period in Turkey.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Graduate students must have completed all doctoral requirements except the dissertation by June 2026.
- Non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States or Canada must be affiliated with an educational institution in those countries.
- Applicants should ensure they meet all eligibility criteria; for clarification, they may contact the ARIT office in Philadelphia.
The program welcomes projects that contribute to understanding Turkey’s cultural, social, and historical complexity, encouraging innovative interdisciplinary approaches that enhance academic exchange and collaboration.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted by November 1, 2025, to be considered for the 2026–2027 cycle. Each application should include the completed application form, a detailed research proposal, and three letters of recommendation. Graduate student applicants must also submit a graduate transcript.
All application materials should be submitted via email to aritoffice@gmail.com. Reference letters must explicitly support the applicant’s capacity to complete the proposed research and the academic significance of the project. Supporting materials can also be mailed to:
American Research Institute in Turkey, University of Pennsylvania Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324.
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Applicants will be notified of the selection results by late January 2026. For further inquiries, candidates can contact ARIT by phone at (215) 898-3474 or by email.
Research Permission and Visas
Recipients of the fellowship are responsible for securing the appropriate research permits and visas for their projects in Turkey. Scholars should contact the relevant institutions where they plan to conduct research to obtain necessary permissions.
For short-term research (less than three months), foreign scholars may enter Turkey with a tourist visa and apply for a research permit within the country, or obtain one in advance from a Turkish Embassy. For longer stays, both a research permit and research visa must be arranged prior to entry.
Researchers working with museum collections or archaeological materials must apply through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Museums. When working on materials from excavations or surveys, applicants must include a letter from the project director authorizing the research.
Applicants can consult ARIT’s research permit page for the latest regulations and application formats. Please note that fellowship payments may be withheld if proper research permissions are not secured.
For scholars seeking to advance their research in Turkey, the ARIT Fellowships provide not just funding, but also valuable institutional support and academic collaboration opportunities that enrich both scholarship and cross-cultural understanding.
Official Application Link: https://aritweb.org/fellowships/
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