Institute for the Study of the Ancient World’s (ISAW) scope embraces research and graduate education in the history, archaeology, and culture of the entire Old World from late prehistoric times to the eighth century AD, including Asia and Africa. Projects of a theoretical or comparative nature relevant to this domain are also welcome. Academic visitors at ISAW should be individuals of scholarly distinction or promise in any relevant field of ancient studies who will benefit from the stimulation of working in an environment with colleagues in other disciplines. Applicants with a history of interdisciplinary exchange are particularly welcome. They will be expected to be in residence at the Institute during the period for which they are appointed and to take part in the intellectual life of the community.

Visiting Research Scholars at ISAW have access to the Institute's own library, as well as to a wide range of other libraries at NYU, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (located a block away), and other institutions in New York City including Columbia University and the New York Public Library. Scholars are provided with their own carrel workspace.

ISAW is prepared to host visiting research scholars in three categories:

1. Visiting Assistant Professors, appointed for two years: Two such visiting assistant professors will be appointed for 2016-2018. Those who have degrees in hand and will have completed the doctorate within three years of the beginning of the appointment may apply, as well as current doctoral students who will complete all requirements for the degree by June 30, 2016. Holders of these positions are appointed as faculty and will be expected to lead one research seminar at ISAW during the two-year period and teach one undergraduate course in an NYU department each year.
2. Visiting Research Scholars, appointed for one year with full or partial funding from ISAW: These may be at any career stage from postdoctoral to retired; the doctoral degree must be completed no later than June 30, 2016. Applicants in category 1 who are not awarded two-year fellowships will be automatically considered for category 2.  Please do not apply to both positions. Specific appointment details may vary according to situation.
3. Externally-funded Scholars: ISAW is prepared to consider applications from postdoctoral scholars with their own funding from another source. These scholars have the same community privileges as the other two categories and are expected to participate in the Institute’s life in the same fashion but do not receive any financial support from ISAW. If a letter of support from ISAW is needed for an external fellowship or grant application, applicants should submit their application at least 45 days in advance of the fellowship application due date.

Applicants for categories 1 and 2 are considered in a single competition cycle with a fixed deadline each year. Applicants for category 3 must apply at least one semester in advance of their anticipated start date.