Welcome!
The Charles Phelps Taft Research Center is an intellectually vibrant and nourishing hub for interdisciplinary conversations and collaborations that demonstrate the importance of the humanities and humanistic social sciences in understanding and positively reshaping our world. We offer a range of university and public humanities programs that bring people together. We provide fellowships and awards to faculty and students conducting original research as well as to our 15 member units to enrich their students' experiences.
Our theme for the 2025–26 academic year is Period. Through lectures and workshops we will explore how humanities and social science scholars punctuate time, history, and our ideas for audiences within and beyond the academy. What is the point of humanities and social science research? What do we include and what do we leave out in our work and writing? In exploring both the public-facing and backstage of humanistic inquiry, we will examine how the humanities and social sciences connect us to the fleshy rhythms of life. Read the full description here.
Call for Applications
2026–27 Taft Interdisciplinary Graduate Assistantship
The Interdisciplinary Humanities Graduate Assistantship program offers a unique, experiential learning opportunity for Taft-eligible graduate students to work closely with the Faculty Director, Program Director, and Postdoctoral Fellows. Successful applicants will advance their communication, event management, community engagement, and group leadership skills, while refining their interdisciplinary fluency as they work with individuals from across our 15 units, as well as community and campus partners. We seek applicants ready to contribute to our public humanities and academic programming, research and mentorship initiatives, and grantmaking programs. You will make meaningful contributions and help develop new initiatives as part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
Applications and letters of support are due April 22, 2026, by 5pm.
Read the full request for applications here: 26–27 Taft IHGA RFA.