U.S. Army CMH Dissertation Fellowship 2026: Get $10,000 Funding for Military History Research (Apply Now)

The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) and the National Museum of the United States Army have announced the 2026 Dissertation Fellowships. This prestigious program is designed to support PhD candidates who are researching the history of warfare, with a specific emphasis on the U.S. Army.

The program offers three fellowships, each carrying a $10,000 stipend and access to the Center's extensive archival resources. Selected fellows will have the unique opportunity to visit Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., to work directly with the Center's experts. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.

Fellowship Overview & Key Details

Fellowship Types: What Can You Research?

The program offers three distinct fellowships tailored to different aspects of military history:

• Material Culture Fellowship (1 Award): Funded by the National Museum of the U.S. Army, this is designed for dissertations that explore the material culture (artifacts, equipment, physical history) of the Army.
• General Military History Fellowships (2 Awards): These support research in the broader areas of military history in all its aspects, particularly land warfare.

Eligibility Criteria

This fellowship is strictly for civilian scholars. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: You must be a civilian citizen of the United States.
• Civilian Status: You must be unaffiliated with the U.S. government. This means you cannot be active military personnel, a federal civilian employee, or under contract to the U.S. government.
• Academic Status: You must be a PhD student currently working on your doctoral dissertation (ABD status is typically required).
• Discipline: Your dissertation must deal with some aspect of the history of land warfare.

Fellowship Obligations

Fellows are required to visit the Center of Military History, located at Fort McNair, Washington D.C., at both the beginning and the end of their fellowship period. During these visits, you will work on your dissertation using the Center's library and archival resources.

Application Requirements

To demonstrate your professional potential, you must submit a complete application packet containing:

1. Official Transcripts: From all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.
2. Research Plan: A proposed plan of research outlining your dissertation topic.
3. Academic Recommendation: A letter from your academic director that includes a statement explicitly approving your dissertation topic.
4. General Recommendations: Two additional letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your qualifications.
5. Writing Sample: A sample of approximately 25 pages.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2026. You can reach out to the committee via email for specific submission instructions.

Contact Information: Email: usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.dissfellow@mail.mil Phone: (202) 685-2393

Official Application Link: Click Here to Visit CMH Fellowship Page