Description:
The Michigan Society of Fellows invites applications to its postdoctoral fellowship program for Ph.D.s in the humanities, arts, sciences, and professions. These positions at the University of Michigan are open to recent Ph.D.s who wish to pursue research opportunities while teaching at a major research university. Fellows are appointed as Assistant Professors in appropriate departments and as Postdoctoral Scholars in the Michigan Society of Fellows for three-year terms to begin August 31, 2026. The annual stipend will be $63,000.
The Society of Fellows and the University of Michigan recognize and value contributions to the processes of identifying and addressing the social, environmental, and technical challenges our societies and our planet face. We encourage applicants to comment in their research proposal on how their research, teaching, service, and outreach activities contribute to analyzing and tackling such challenges. The full list of departments accepting applications for the 2026-2029 fellowship term will become available on August 1.
Application Guidelines
Eligibility
- The Society invites applications from qualified candidates who are at the beginning of their academic careers, having received a Ph.D. or comparable professional or artistic degree.
- Applicants must complete their Ph.D. (or comparable professional or artistic) degree between June 1, 2023, and August 30, 2026. These dates are strictly observed without exception.
- Applicants who have previously applied for the Society of Fellows’ postdoctoral fellowships may reapply but must complete a new application.
- Candidates who received their terminal degree, in a field in which they are applying, from the University of Michigan are not eligible to apply.
- Non-US citizens may apply and will be considered.
Disciplines Accepting Applications 2025-2026
A full list of departments open to accepting applications can be found in the application portal, which opens annually on August 1.
Application Opens
The application form will be available annually on August 1, 12:01 AM EDT.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is Monday, September 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT.
Notification to Applicants
- Applicants will receive a confirming email message once the application has been submitted.
- Please provide both surface mail and electronic addresses so we can easily reach you. Please make sure your email is up-to-date.
- The final review will occur at the end of January, and all applicants will be notified in writing by March 31.
- All dossier materials and the selection committee’s evaluations remain confidential. The committee is not able to provide feedback on individual applications.
Dossier Items
For Applicants
- Completed application form, available annually on August 1.
- Note: For the department(s) entry please designate the academic department(s) you would expect to be affiliated with at the University of Michigan. This is usually the department of your terminal degree and/or the department(s) in which you are qualified to teach.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Writing/work sample – not to exceed 40, double-spaced pages for unpublished work; not to exceed 20, single-spaced pages for published work.
- Research proposal – not to exceed 3, double-spaced pages.
- Note: The research proposal should outline the methods and aims of research beyond your thesis or other work resulting in your last degree. Please keep in mind that your project proposal will be read by non-specialists, as well as by specialists in your field. Proposals that involve more than one discipline and/or demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches are especially welcome. The Society of Fellows and the University of Michigan recognize and value contributions to the processes of identifying and addressing the social, environmental, and technical challenges our societies and our planet face. We encourage applicants to comment in their research proposal on how their research, teaching, service, and outreach activities contribute to analyzing and tackling such challenges.
For Recommenders
- Confidential letters of recommendation from no more than two recommenders should be submitted in PDF format as instructed by the applicant.
- Letterhead is preferred.
- All letters must be submitted electronically.
- Physical letters will not be accepted.