Are you a brilliant scholar toiling away in the hallowed halls of academia, producing groundbreaking work that… well, let’s be honest, mostly just your mom and three other people in your specific niche understand? Do you ever wonder why the general public seems to care more about the latest TikTok dance than the profound insights you’re unearthing about the human condition?

We get it. The humanities, in their purest, most unadulterated form, are vital. They help us understand ourselves, our history, our cultures, and our future. But let’s face it, sometimes we’re so deep in the weeds of our dissertations and monographs that we forget how to talk to anyone outside our immediate echo chamber. And frankly, if people don’t give a fuck about the humanities, they’re going to wither on the vine.

That’s where National Humanities Centers comes in. We’re an academic-adjacent non-profit dedicated to ensuring that the incredible work being done in the humanities actually matters to people. All people. Not just tenure committees.

What’s a “Fellah,” You Ask?

Glad you did! A “Fellah” at National Humanities Centers is more than just a fellow. You’re a scholar with a mission. For one intensive year, you’ll join a vibrant cohort of like-minded (and perhaps equally frustrated) academics from across the humanities defined broadly. Regardless of your discipline, if your work illuminates the human experience, you’re one of us.

During your time with us, you won’t just be churning out another academic paper destined for a paywalled journal. Oh no. You’ll be rolling up your sleeves and diving headfirst into the art of translation. We’re talking about taking your incredibly important, deeply researched, and often mind-numbingly complex scholarship and learning how to:

• Communicate it with clarity: Ditch the jargon, embrace the compelling narrative.
• Connect it to everyday life: Show people why your work is relevant to their lives, right now.
• Ignite passion and curiosity: Make them actually want to know more.
• Reach new audiences: Beyond the ivory tower, to the streets, to the screens, to the dinner tables.

We’ll equip you with tools in public speaking, media engagement, digital storytelling, and creative content creation. You’ll workshop your ideas, receive blunt (but loving) feedback, and collaborate with experts who specialize in making complex ideas accessible and exciting. Think of it as a scholarly bootcamp for making your brain babies famous.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for scholars at any stage of their career (post-Ph.D. preferred) who are:

• Passionate about their research, obviously.
• Frustrated by the disconnect between academia and the public.
• Ready to challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zone.
• Eager to make a tangible impact on how the humanities are perceived and valued.
• Possess a sense of humor about the absurdities of academic life. (It helps, trust us.)

If you’re tired of talking to yourself (and your cat) about your groundbreaking insights and are ready to make the world give a fuck about what you do, then you might just be a National Humanities Centers Fellah.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Applications for the upcoming National Humanities Centers Fellowship cohort are now open! We invite you to submit your materials and tell us why you’re the next Fella(h) to help us bridge the gap between brilliant scholarship and a genuinely engaged public.

Because the humanities aren’t just for academics; they’re for everyone. And it’s high time everyone realized it.