School of Historical Studies

Can I resubmit my application from a previous year?

No, applicants who have applied in the past must submit a new application.

Are letters of references required?

Those awarded Ph.D.s within the last 10 years are required to submit two letters of reference.

Will the referees receive the links to upload the letters when their names are entered in the system, or only after the application is submitted?

Once a referee has been submitted, the system will send an automatic email requesting their recommendation to the email you've entered. If a referee tells you they have not received an email request or are encountering an issue, please let the SHS Administrative Officer know at hsao@ias.edu.

I have published articles in a language other than English. Do the sample publications I submit with my application need to be written in English?

It is acceptable to submit sample publications in languages other than English.

For the sample publications to upload with the application, will you accept publications that are still forthcoming or that are in press but not yet published?

In general, the Faculty are interested in seeing publications that are already in print. However, if an article in press is particularly relevant to the research proposal, it would be acceptable to upload such an article as a sample publication. Unpublished or forthcoming articles that are not in press or print will not be given consideration.

Do you accept references from dossier services, such as Interfolio?

We expect letters of recommendation to comment specifically on the application and proposal being submitted. General letters are not helpful to the application.

I have applied for membership in the past. Can letters of recommendation that were provided for that previous application be used again?

If you've applied in the previous year, your referees can upload the letters of recommendation from the last recent application again. Letters from more than a year ago, however, will not be accepted.

I have applied for membership in the past. Do I have to write a new research proposal, or can I resubmit the same proposal sent with my last application?

Yes, it is in your best interest to rewrite the proposal to reflect any research developments in the intervening year.

I hold a position that is at the same level as an Assistant Professor, but I have a different title that is not "Assistant Professor". Can I apply for the Mellon Fellowship?

No, to be considered for a Mellon Fellowship, assistant professors must be working on projects in areas represented in the School of Historical Studies and should preferably have gone beyond revising the dissertation.

I am an Assistant Professor. Should I apply only for the Mellon Fellowship, or can I also apply for a regular membership?

You can apply both for membership and for the Mellon Fellowship.

School of Historical Studies - Frequently Asked Questions