Solmsen Fellowship at Wisconsin-Madison in pre-1700 European History and Culture
The Institute for Research in the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is pleased to offer four Solmsen Fellowships for the academic year 2026–2027, to be awarded to scholars from outside the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through a generous bequest from Friedrich and Lieselotte Solmsen, the Solmsen Fellowships sponsor scholars working in the humanities on European history, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, art and culture in the classical, medieval, and/or early modern periods before 1700. Projects on the relationship of pre-1700 Europe to other parts of the world are also welcome. The Solmsen Fellowship does not typically support editions or translations.
The award provides a stipend of $60,000, plus health benefits (if accepting the award through UW-Madison payroll), office space, limited support services, and access to university facilities (libraries). All IRH fellowships are residential. Solmsen Fellows are required to live in Madison, Wisconsin throughout the academic year to ensure their active participation in the intellectual and social life at IRH. Fellows are also expected to participate in the intellectual life of IRH by attending the required weekly Monday afternoon seminar, utilizing their IRH office regularly, and giving a seminar presentation. Fellows are also encouraged to join the weekly afternoon teas and other IRH events as time and interest permit. Fellows may extend their residency through the summer on a non-stipendiary basis. However, the fellowship may not be deferred for any reason.
The application for 2026-2027 fellowships is now open. Applications are due on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The final notification of awards will be sent in late February or early March 2026.
Applications must be submitted through the “application form” link to Interfolio above. For help using Interfolio, or with issues with letters of recommendation or other files, please refer to the documents below.
