ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants: 2026 competition
Grants of $50,000 to $100,000 for open digital humanities projects run through US universities. Applications close November 3, 2026.
The ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants give between $50,000 and $100,000 to digital projects in the humanities and interpretive social sciences. The program is run by the American Council of Learned Societies and funded by the Mellon Foundation. Grant terms must start between July 1 and December 31, 2027, with a work plan of 12 to 18 months.
The grants support projects at an early development stage that have moved beyond a prototype. Projects must engage the histories and interests of people of color and other marginalized communities through ethical use of digital tools and methods. Projects focused mainly on creative works, textbooks, plain translations or teaching are not supported.
At least one principal investigator must be a scholar in the humanities or interpretive social sciences. The project needs significant preliminary work and a record of engagement with scholarly or public audiences. A US institution of higher education must administer the funds. Any software developed with grant funds must be released under an open source license in a public repository, and digital content should be made as widely available as possible.
Applications go through the ACLS online system at ofa.acls.org. The application includes nine short narrative answers, a timeline, a budget, a staffing list and a data ethics statement. A senior administrator at the institution confirms support through the same portal.
The deadline is November 3, 2026 at 5 pm Eastern time. Notifications are sent by email in spring 2027. Reviewers look at the ethical use of digital tools, the plans for development and sunsetting, data stewardship and the project's value to the wider digital scholarship community. Grantees also receive financial planning coaching from the Nonprofit Finance Fund.
Quick answers
How much does it pay?
$50,000 to $100,000. It is a grant and takes no equity.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is 3 November 2026.
Who can apply?
Digital projects with at least one principal investigator in the humanities or interpretive social sciences, administered by a US institution of higher education. It is limited to applicants in North America.
How do I apply?
Through the official page at ofa.acls.org. The link is at the top of this page.
Does software built with the grant have to be open source?
Yes. Applicants commit to release any software made with grant funds under an open source license in a public repository.
Are institutional indirect costs covered?
No. ACLS does not cover institutional indirect costs. Direct costs such as software, equipment and research assistants are allowed.