Call for Applications: Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2027-2028 (Up to $10,000 Monthly Stipend)

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)

About the Fellowship

Applications are currently being accepted for the Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2027-2028. The Wilson Center invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to apply for its flagship Research Fellowship competition. Research Fellows conduct research and write in their areas of interest while interacting with policymakers in Washington D.C. and with other Wilson Center fellows and staff. The Center accepts policy-relevant, nonpartisan fellowship proposals that address key challenges confronting the United States and the world. The Center will award approximately 10 to 20 fellowships for the 2027-2028 cohort. Fellows will work remotely during their tenure with the Wilson Center. The program will include a trip to Washington D.C. at the start and end of the fellowship, as paid for by the Wilson Center. The fellowship will commence on June 1, 2027, and end on May 30, 2028.

Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly Stipend: $10,000 per month for a twelve-month fellowship (total $120,000)
• Travel Support: Two funded trips to Washington D.C. – one at the start and one at the end of the fellowship
• Remote Work: Fellows conduct research from their location of choice, with no requirement to relocate
• Policy Engagement: Opportunities to interact with policymakers, participate in briefings, and share research with the Washington policy community

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Applicants:

• Must hold a PhD
• Must have published a book or monograph beyond the PhD dissertation, or a substantial body of research articles (typically five or more) in reputable peer-reviewed journals

Government, Policy, or Nonprofit Applicants:

• Must have achieved a level of professional distinction and experience equivalent to advanced academic standing
• Typically at least 10 years of relevant experience and a record of substantial policy impact, publication, or leadership in their field

Additional Requirements:

• Proficiency in English
• Must be able to attend a fellowship kick-off meeting in June 2027 and a fellowship conclusion meeting in May 2028, both held at the Wilson Center in Washington D.C.
• If resident in the United States, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The Wilson Center is not able to sponsor J-1 visas. If the applicant intends to reside outside of the United States during the fellowship duration, they must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States
• No institutional affiliation is required to apply
• Scholars who have received a Wilson Center International Competition Fellowship or Research Fellowship within the last five years are not eligible

Project Requirements

• Projects must meet the following criteria:
• Nonpartisan in nature
• Focus on at least one of the Wilson Center’s scholarship pillars:
• Strategic competition
• Economic statecraft
• Technology and innovation
• Regional scholarship
• Not Eligible: Primary project outputs may not include rewriting or completion of doctoral dissertations; projects in the visual arts, dance, or musical composition; editing of texts, papers, and documents; or preparations of textbooks, anthologies, translations, or memoirs.

Application Requirements

A complete application must include the following:

1. Completed Research Fellowship Application Form
2. Current CV – Maximum 3 pages, 12-point font
3. Project Proposal – Maximum 5 pages, 12-point font
4. Two Letters of Reference

All materials must be submitted in English. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm ET on September 30, 2026.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Significance and originality of the proposed research
• Relevance to contemporary policy issues and policymakers
• Quality of the proposal in definition, organization, clarity, and scope
• Capabilities and achievements of the applicant
• Potential to actively contribute to the priorities and mission of the Center

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here