NEH fellowships are for persons who have already completed their formal professional training. Degree candidates and persons seeking support for work in pursuit of a degree may not hold AAS-NEH fellowships. Candidates for advanced degrees must have completed all requirements, except for the actual conferral of the degree, by the application deadline for the fellowship. This includes the dissertation defense. Foreign nationals who have been residents in the United States for at least three years immediately preceding the application deadline for the fellowship are eligible. Mid-career scholars are encouraged to apply.