Each year, Yale Institute of Sacred Music brings a group of fellows from around the world to join its interdisciplinary community, normally for a one-year term.

A diverse cohort of Long-term Fellows are in residence at the Yale ISM each year to pursue scholarly and creative projects that connect with the mission of the Institute and are informed by various interdisciplinary perspectives. ISM Fellows are exceptional scholars, artists, and practitioners at all career stages whose projects range from studies of Buddhist chant to African American sacred music, and analyses of Medieval ritual to Jewish art. With access to Yale’s unparalleled resources, ISM Long-term Fellows join a vibrant interdisciplinary community for the academic year where they convene regularly with their cohort to share their work in progress. Fellows also have the option to teach interdisciplinary courses based on their area of research at Yale.

The work of the Institute touches a broad array of disciplines, including Anthropology ~ African American Studies ~ Area Studies ~ Art ~ Architecture ~ Composition ~ Creative Writing ~ Ethnomusicology ~ Film Studies ~ History of Art or Architecture ~ Latinx Studies ~ Literature ~ Liturgical Studies ~ Musicology ~ Native American and Indigenous Studies ~ Religious Studies ~ Ritual Studies ~ Sociology ~ Theatre Studies ~ Theology

The fellowship year normally lasts from August 20 to May 15. Fellowships may also be given for either fall or spring, though applicants who are available for the entire year are strongly favored. All fellows are expected to be free of commitments that would prevent them from devoting themselves full time to the work outlined in their proposal and to live in residence within five miles of the Yale campus.

Eligibility

• Candidates are eligible to apply as fellows if they are employed as regular full-time faculty or if they have more than six years of related experience following the terminal degree. These fellowships are typically one-year long, though shorter residencies (e.g. one term) are possible in special circumstances. Teaching is an option for fellows, though the ISM encourages fellows to offer one course.
• Candidates are eligible to apply as post-doctoral associates if they have fewer than six years of related experience following the terminal degree, and are not yet employed as full-time regular faculty. These fellowships are typically one-year long, though in rare circumstances, fellowships may be granted for two or even three years. Teaching is required for post-doctoral associates.