Do good work

Be good company

RACING THE CLASSICS is a cohort-based fellowship that aims to support practitioners in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies (and adjacent fields) as they navigate the challenges of the discipline, the academy, & this historical moment

Racing the Classics began as a conference series intended to challenge foundational assumptions about knowledge production and race within the discipline(s) of classics. Racing the Classics I (2018: Princeton University) took the form of a standard academic conference, with presubmitted papers and keynotes; many of those papers were subsequently published as journal articles and book chapters. Racing the Classics II (2019: University of Warwick) focused on the discussion of policy papers and theoretical interventions shaping Ancient Greek and Roman studies in the UK. Racing the Classics: Recitative (2019: Princeton University) convened graduate students and early career researchers in Classics and Comparative Literature for a conversation with poet Ishion Hutchinson to discuss the criticality of translation and creative work with Ancient Greek and Roman texts.

Summer Seminar

The summer seminar takes up the mantle of that series by inviting fellows to gather in-person for intensive, sustained conversation. The ten-day seminar is intended to stimulate research and foster intellectual camaraderie amongst the cohort. Sessions will cover issues germane to established and still emerging areas of research, professionalization, the academy, and community building — on and off campus. Fellows will also develop a mentoring plan in conjunction with the seminar leaders and interact with the academic team members.

In 2026, the Summer Seminar will take place between July 20-31.

The academic year practicum builds on the collective work done during the summer seminar. The cohort will meet monthly via Zoom to re-read and reflect on texts encountered in the first phase of the fellowship.  Alternating roles as discussion leaders, respondents, and members, fellows will help each other yoke theory to practice.

Academic Year Practicum

Each January, the cohort will gather for an in-person meal during the annual meeting of the Society for Classical Studies to touch base with one another and to celebrate our individual and collective accomplishments.

Cohort Cena

FAQs

  • The fellowship aims to equip scholars in Classics and closely related fields to produce innovative work and to chart a sustainable, well-supported career that involves scholarship in all its forms. They will be afforded mentorship opportunities from the program directors, the academic team members, and, most importantly, from their cohort peers.

    Fellows will also receive:

    $5.000 stipend for full participation;

    Travel, lodgings, and partial board (10 lunches, approx. 4 dinners) during the in-person summer seminar;

    support for attending mid-year cohort dinner.

  • The in-person summer seminar will function much like an advanced/graduate-level course: leaving two days for travel, fellows will attend 4 hours of seminar each of the 10 seminar days, one dedicated one-hour mentoring session, and several optional group dinners each week in order to socialize with other fellows. During the week, they may also elect to make appointments with academic team members for further feedback and support. Fellows should expect to make time for reading and reflection assignments for each day of seminar.

    Fellows must attend the seminar in its entirety. Fellows have the intervening weekend (July 25-26) free.

    During the academic year (September-May), the practicum will meet online once per month. There will also be other opportunities for additional mentoring.

    During the winter break of their fellowship year, fellows will be expected to attend an in-person dinner.

  • Ph.D. candidates at the time of application (also known as ABD) and degree holders (who have earned a Ph.D. in the last three years) are eligible to apply.

  • Applicant degrees (earned or in progress) should be in classics and related fields, including but not limited to ancient history, classical art and archaeology, Biblical and New Testament studies, comparative literature, and early Christian studies.

    Applicants do not have to be currently employed or affiliated with an academic institution to participate.

    In addition to degree candidates, and college and university faculty members, degree holders affiliated with K-12 education or who publish as independent scholars are welcome to apply.

  • Click the ‘Apply’ button to access the application form. Select applicants will be invited to a virtual interview.

  • Fellowships begin with the summer seminar in order not to interfere with most academic degree and employment commitments. Cohort members are expected to participate in all three components of the fellowship (i.e. in-person summer seminar, online academic year practicum, and mid-year cohort dinner).

  • The fellowship will last one year (from Spring admission to the final practicum meeting in the following year), but cohorts will likely have opportunities to meet one another and their respective academic team members in the future.

  • Absolutely, you can reapply as long as you remain eligible (3 years post Ph.D.).

  • Please contact the fellowship administrator for more information.

  • Summer seminars will take place on a college campus each year. Upon acceptance, applicants will be given all logistical information.