The Call for Applications is closed. Because of the very high number of exceptional applications during our last Call, as well as the quantity of admissions which had to be postponed as a result of Covid-19, the Academy has already filled all available Fellowship slots for 2024-25. In the event that some positions become available, a new call will be published here.
To see all past and current Fellows click here.
At the heart of the work of the Academy lies its multi-disciplinary Fellowship Program. Fellowships are open to senior scholars at the post-doctoral level and above who wish to devote a semester or a full academic year to genuinely innovative work in the humanities, sciences or social sciences. A willingness to discuss projects across epistemological boundaries is desirable and contributes to the interdisciplinary openness that has long been encouraged at the Academy.
We welcome candidates from all countries, at the post-doctoral or faculty level. Fellows receive a stipend, travel allowance, housing allowance, health benefits, and an office in our building on the Columbia campus.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply?
By using the digital online form that will be published on this page after the next Call for Applications.
What are the residency periods?
Fellows spend either the Fall term (September-December), Spring term (January-April), or both semesters at the Italian Academy.
What are the stipend and benefits?
We offer
a) a gross salary ranging from $7,000 up to $8,500/month (you may be required to pay tax on this; consult your accountant or financial advisor);
b) a travel allowance to cover the airfare to & from New York;
c) a one-time housing allowance;
d) a portion of health-insurance costs.
I am a scientist; will I collaborate with Columbia laboratories &/or scientists?
A candidate in the sciences should contact a professor at Columbia, to gauge their interest in the project, before applying. Such candidates should note (in the application proposal) that they have a pledged collaboration.
What is the word limit for the proposal?
The Project Proposal should not exceed 1300 words (excluding references).
What if I’m just getting my Ph.D. degree?
The degree must be awarded before August for Fall term Fellows, and before December for Spring Fellows.
Do you give us housing, or pay our rent?
No, but we assist our Fellows in applying for Columbia Housing, when available. We give a one-time housing allowance.
What is the deadline for my application packet?
The deadline is the first Monday in December.
What is the deadline for recommendation letters?
The deadline is December 15.
Do you accept projects and CVs in Italian?
All projects and CVs should be in English.
Do you accept recommendation letters in Italian?
Yes.
How are candidates assessed?
The selection of Fellows will be based on the quality of the applications. These will be reviewed by a jury composed of dozens of senior scholars in many fields at Columbia and other leading universities.
What qualifications must I have?
Normally Fellowships will be open to advanced scholars from the post-doctoral to the full professorial level. (Candidates should expect to have their doctorates in hand no later than the summer after they apply.)
How long do Fellows stay?
Fellows will be expected to be in residence for one or two academic semesters. At the Academy, Fellows are offered a place where they can work, interact amongst themselves and with members of the Columbia community, and generally remain free from outside obligations. For periods of either one or two academic semesters, the Academy provides office space.
Would I be in the Academy building daily?
Fellows are expected to be in residence for the duration of their stay at the Academy, although connections with other institutions of higher learning are encouraged. The weekly seminars are held on Wednesdays and Fellows' presence is requested. Absences for more than two days at a time should be requested from the Director. Fellows may not hold concurrent fellowships and are expected to dedicate their time to research while in residence. Any resulting publications should acknowledge the support of the Academy, as should any biographical notes published in connection with the Fellow's appearances while in residence.
How would you describe the residency?
Fellows appreciate the collegial atmosphere of the Academy's landmarked building: they work in their own spacious offices (with views across campus) and they often gather for coffee and conversation in our welcoming Library. Fellows are fully integrated into the intellectual and social life of Columbia.
Can I apply again after having been a Fellow before?
Former Fellows may re-apply no earlier than four years after the completion of their residencies.
I won a Fellowship, but I wish to delay to another semester/year – may I?
Given the large number of eminently qualified candidates for the Italian Academy Fellowships every year, candidates selected in any one year will not be allowed to postpone their offer of a Fellowship to another year. If the Fellowship is not taken up in the term of the year in which it is offered it will be forfeited – although candidates who turned down an offer of a Fellowship in one year may of course apply for the Fellowship in another year. No guarantee of success, however, can be offered in such cases. Again, former Fellows may re-apply no earlier than four years after the completion of their residency.
What documents do you need along with the digital online application form?
a) Your project proposal of 1300 words or less (in PDF format);
b) your CV (in PDF format) which includes your full name as it appears on your passport, along with details about your degrees (name and country of the institute; month and year when the degree was obtained; type of degree, written in the US format: PhD, MA, BA, etc.);
c) two letters of recommendation (the form will prompt you to provide contact details for two recommenders; they will then receive an e-message with a request to upload a letter of recommendation--after you have submitted the application form).