Wallace Fellowship 2027 in Italy | Fully Funded

Wallace Fellowship 2027 in Italy | Fully Funded Research Opportunity

The Wallace Fellowship 2027 in Italy is a prestigious fully funded research opportunity offered by I Tatti – The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence. The fellowship is designed for scholars whose research examines the historiography, influence, transformation, and continuing impact of the Italian Renaissance in the modern era.

The fellowship provides selected researchers with a residential research period in Florence, allowing them to concentrate on their proposed projects while benefiting from the academic resources and intellectual environment of I Tatti. Scholars from all countries are welcome to apply, making the opportunity attractive to international researchers seeking advanced research experience in Italy.

For the 2027 fellowship cycle, applications must be submitted by November 16, 2026, while recommendation letters must be submitted by November 21, 2026. Up to four Wallace Fellowships are awarded each year.

Wallace Fellowship 2027 – Key Details

About the Wallace Fellowship

The Wallace Fellowship is hosted by I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies located in Florence. The program provides scholars with dedicated time to conduct research related to the Italian Renaissance and its relationship with the modern world.

The fellowship is particularly focused on research exploring how the Renaissance has been interpreted, transformed, represented, or understood from the 19th through the 21st centuries.

Research projects may approach the Renaissance from different academic perspectives. This makes the fellowship relevant to researchers working in areas such as history, art history, architecture, literature, music, philosophy, political thought, museum studies, collecting history, photography, and related disciplines.

Successful fellows become part of the intellectual community at I Tatti and are expected to participate in selected academic and cultural activities, including conferences, lectures, concerts, and other events.

Research Focus

Applicants should propose a strong research project connected to the historiography or modern impact of the Italian Renaissance.

Possible research themes include:

Historiography of the Italian Renaissance

Renaissance art and architecture

Modern interpretations of Renaissance culture

Literature and Renaissance traditions

Renaissance music and its modern influence

Philosophy and political thought

Museum and collecting history

Photography and visual culture

Landscape architecture

Cultural transformations of Renaissance ideas

The survival of Renaissance traditions in modern society

The proposed research should be suitable for substantial work in Florence and should clearly demonstrate a connection to the fellowship's central research theme.

Financial Benefits

The Wallace Fellowship provides substantial financial support to selected scholars.

Successful applicants receive a monthly grant of USD 5,200 during the fellowship period. In addition, fellows may receive a one-time relocation supplement of up to USD 1,800.

Accommodation support may also be available. Fellows may have access to rent-free accommodation when suitable housing is available. If such accommodation cannot be provided, a housing subsidy may be offered.

Other academic benefits include access to the scholarly resources of Harvard's I Tatti and use of the Biblioteca Berenson seven days a week. Fellows also receive lunch with other appointees from Monday through Friday.

Fellowship Duration

The Wallace Fellowship is a residential research fellowship lasting either four or six months.

Applicants can generally choose between two fellowship periods:

Fall term: September to December

Winter-Spring term: January to June

The residential structure is designed to give scholars uninterrupted time to focus on their proposed research.

Fellows are expected to live in the Florence area during the fellowship and spend regular time at I Tatti. The residential requirement helps scholars engage with the center's academic community while making full use of its research facilities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the fellowship's academic and research requirements.

To be eligible, applicants generally must:

Hold a PhD at the time of application.

Provide a copy of their PhD certificate.

Not be enrolled in a second PhD program.

Be conversant in English.

Have familiarity with Italian.

Demonstrate a research project connected to the Italian Renaissance in the modern era.

Be able to conduct most of their proposed research in Florence.

The fellowship welcomes scholars from all nationalities. Priority is given to early- and mid-career researchers, while special consideration may be given to scholars who do not have regular access to research materials and facilities in Italy.

Applicants should also note that Term Fellowships at I Tatti can generally be held only once and cannot be deferred.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare a strong research proposal explaining the purpose, originality, methodology, and expected contribution of their project.

The application can be submitted in English or Italian.

Applicants must also arrange two recommendation letters from scholars who are familiar with their academic and research work. Recommendation letters must be submitted electronically by November 21, 2026.

Candidates are encouraged to register their referees early so that recommendation letters can be submitted on time.

How to Apply for the Wallace Fellowship 2027?

Interested researchers can follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that you hold a PhD and meet the language and research requirements.

Step 2: Develop a Research Proposal

Prepare a focused proposal addressing the historiography, influence, transformation, or modern impact of the Italian Renaissance.

Step 3: Select Your Fellowship Period

Choose the four- or six-month residential period that best fits your research plans.

Step 4: Prepare Your Application

Complete the online application in English or Italian and provide the required academic information and supporting documents.

Step 5: Register Two Referees

Select two scholars who know your work well and register them through the application system.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

The main application deadline is November 16, 2026, while recommendation letters must arrive by November 21, 2026.

Important Conditions

Wallace Fellows are expected to concentrate exclusively on the research project submitted with their application. Fellows cannot simultaneously work on other book or article projects unrelated to their approved research.

They are also not permitted to take on additional obligations, including part-time teaching positions, during the fellowship.

The fellowship cannot normally be held at the same time as another fellowship or award. Applicants receiving outside salary or grant support must disclose this information and obtain the necessary permission.

International fellows are responsible for arranging their own visa, residence permit, and health coverage where required.

Why Apply for the Wallace Fellowship?

The Wallace Fellowship offers researchers an opportunity to spend several months in Florence, one of the world's most important centers for Renaissance history and culture.

The combination of a substantial monthly grant, relocation support, access to Harvard's research resources, and an active scholarly community makes the fellowship particularly valuable for researchers developing major projects on the Renaissance and its modern legacy.

For early- and mid-career scholars, the fellowship can also provide valuable opportunities for academic networking, concentrated research, publication development, and international collaboration.

Final Thoughts

The Wallace Fellowship 2027 in Italy is an excellent opportunity for PhD holders conducting advanced research on the Italian Renaissance and its continuing influence in the modern world.

Selected scholars can receive USD 5,200 per month, relocation assistance of up to USD 1,800, and possible accommodation support. Fellows also gain access to Harvard's I Tatti research environment and the Biblioteca Berenson.

Applications are open to scholars from all countries, but candidates should ensure that their research proposal closely matches the fellowship's focus. The main application deadline is November 16, 2026, and recommendation letters are due by November 21, 2026.

Researchers interested in history, art, architecture, literature, music, philosophy, political thought, museums, collecting, photography, and related fields should consider preparing their applications well before the deadline.

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