The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) invites applications for the Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe (SISECSE) 2026-27 competition, with a deadline of October 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. In partnership with the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS), ACLS will convene leading scholars from Eastern Europe and North America for a two-week residency in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, from June 2-18, 2027.
SISECSE provides participating scholars with time and space to dedicate to their own research and writing in a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. The program covers travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses. Scholars are expected to be in residence and to participate in all planned events for the duration of the institute.
In addition to conducting their own research, scholars will have the opportunity to participate in a series of discussions on a broad topic of shared academic interest. In 2027, the institute’s discussions will explore “Rethinking Spaces and Scales: Beyond the East-West Dichotomy.” It is not required or expected that applicants’ research projects be connected to the workshop theme.
Eligibility
The competition is open to scholars in any field or discipline in the humanities or interpretive social sciences pursuing postdoctoral or advanced research focused on East Central and Southeastern Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
Scholars must be based at institutions in North America (Canada, Mexico, United States) or East Central and Southeastern Europe (see the list above). Displaced scholars with a previous affiliation in East Central and Southeastern Europe within the last five years may apply.
Applications must be submitted in English, but the written work produced by the grantee can be in any language. Work proposed must be in the humanities and interpretive social sciences and must employ humanistic approaches and methods.
Learn more about application and eligibility requirements. Questions? Contact us at SISECSE@acls.org.
This program is made possible thanks to a generous donation by Carl and Betty Pforzheimer.