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The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) is a center for advanced scholarly research and graduate education, which aims to encourage particularly the study of the economic, religious, political and cultural connections between ancient civilizations. In an effort to embrace a truly inclusive geographical scope while maintaining continuity and coherence, the Institute focuses on the shared and overlapping periods in the development of cultures and civilizations around the Mediterranean basin, and across central Asia to the Pacific Ocean. The approaches of anthropology, archaeology, geography, geology, history, economics, sociology, art history, digital humanities, and the history of science and technology are as integral to the enterprise as the study of texts, philosophy, and the analysis of artifacts.

ISAW is prepared to consider applications from postdoctoral scholars with their own funding from another source for appointments to be held during the 2026-27 academic year. ISAW does not provide any funding to Externally Funded Visiting Scholars. Applicants should secure their own funding from an outside fellowship organization or via sabbatical funding from their home institution.

Appointments can be for one semester (fall 2026 or spring 2027) or for the entire 2026-27 academic year. Externally Funded Visiting Scholars undertake research projects connected with ISAW's core academic mission. They are expected to be in residence at the Institute during the period for which they are appointed and to take part in the intellectual life of the community. In addition, they are expected to participate in ISAW seminars, to give a public lecture on their research at ISAW, and to play an active role in mentoring graduate students.

Scholars in this category do not receive any financial support from ISAW.

Applicants should be individuals of scholarly distinction or promise in any relevant field of ancient studies who will benefit from the stimulation of working in an environment with colleagues in other disciplines. Scholars with a history of interdisciplinary exchange and scholars whose academic interests include parts of the ancient Old World that are often underrepresented in traditional academic departments, including Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, are especially welcome and encouraged to apply.

Externally Funded Visiting Scholars at ISAW have access to the Institute's own library, as well as to a wide range of other libraries at NYU, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (located a block away), and other institutions in New York City. Scholars are provided with their own workspace.

Applicants should have their doctorates in hand by the beginning of their period of appointment at ISAW.

The application must be completed in Interfolio and should include a cover letter, CV (including publication list), a research proposal, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample (either a published article or dissertation chapter). Applicants must also complete a researcher profile form and an EEO form in Interfolio. Letters of recommendation from ISAW faculty and staff are not permitted.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, but must be submitted at least one semester in advance of the anticipated start-date for the fellowship. To ensure full consideration, the recommended deadline for all 2026-27 fellowships is November 20, 2025.

Note: Applicants will receive a system-generated confirmation email from Interfolio when they have successfully completed their application. If you do not receive this email, that likely means that you have not successfully submitted your application. We are NOT able to review in-progress applications in Interfolio, so please make sure that you have completed and successfully submitted your application.

Technical help for the application is available via Interfolio's support team: https://www.interfolio.com/contact-us/

Other questions should be directed to [email protected].

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