Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
June 2026
Deadline – 30 October 2025
In partnership with the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia (CAS), ACLS enables scholars to undertake research, writing, and local fieldwork in Bulgaria and engage in interdisciplinary discussions during the Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe (SISECSE). From 2023-2025, ACLS and CAS convened leading scholars from Eastern Europe and North America for a two-week residency in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. With renewed support from Carl and Betty Pforzheimer, SISECSE will continue in 2026 and 2027.
SISECSE provides participating scholars with two weeks to dedicate to their own research and writing in a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. Participants are also able to undertake local fieldwork, including archival or collections research, interviews, site surveys, and other forms of data collection. In addition to conducting their own research, scholars have the opportunity to participate in a series of immersive discussions on a broad topic of shared academic interest.
The program covers travel, accommodation, and per diem expenses. Participants are expected to be in residence and attend all planned events for the duration of the institute. Scholars may also be provided with opportunities to travel in the local area during this time.
SISECSE brings together scholars working in any field or discipline in the humanities or social sciences pursuing postdoctoral or advanced research in East Central and Southeastern Europe, including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
Applicants should submit their research proposals and supporting materials through the ACLS Online Fellowship and Grant Administration (OFA) System. Information on how to apply to attend the 2026 Summer Institute is available on the competition page.
