Call for Applications: Wilson Center Research Fellowship Program (2026–2027) Remote Fellowship with $10,000 stipend per month
Deadline: January 16, 2026 | Fellowship Period: June 1, 2026 – May 30, 2027
Stipend: $10,000 per month | Remote Fellowship with Travel to Washington, D.C.
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars invites applications for the 2026–2027 Research Fellowship Program, its premier nonpartisan initiative designed to connect outstanding scholarship with the world of public policy.
This prestigious twelve-month fellowship supports scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals whose research addresses key foreign policy challenges confronting the United States and the world.
The Wilson Center—the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson—is uniquely positioned to bring ideas and policymakers together.
By fostering dialogue between research and public affairs, the Center serves as a global hub for evidence-based, nonpartisan insights. Fellows join a vibrant community dedicated to advancing high-quality scholarship that informs decision-making without advocating for particular political outcomes.
About the Fellowship
The 2026–2027 fellowship cohort will work remotely, with two fully funded trips to Washington, D.C. at the start and end of the fellowship year. During their tenure, fellows will pursue an independent research project, engage with policymakers, and contribute to the Center’s mission of translating rigorous analysis into clear, accessible, and policy-relevant ideas.
Fellows receive a $10,000 monthly stipend for the duration of the twelve-month fellowship (June 1, 2026 – May 30, 2027). This support enables fellows to focus intensely on their research while benefiting from the intellectual and professional community the Center offers.
What the Fellowship Offers
Research Resources & Intellectual Community
Fellows enjoy access to:
- The Library of Congress (through Wilson Center library privileges)
- Digital research databases and resources
- Local research libraries and institutions
- A global network of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers
The fellowship requires completion of a substantive research product, such as a book manuscript, long-form articles, or a policy-focused briefing series.
Engagement with Policymakers
Aligned with the Center’s mission, fellows will:
- Present their work in an internal Work in Progress seminar
- Participate in colleagues’ seminars and Center events
- Contribute expertise to policymakers via briefings, roundtables, or presentations
- Publish accessible policy outputs such as reports, op-eds, or commentaries
- Collaborate with the Center to share research with U.S. government agencies, congressional staff, and broader policy communities
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant Requirements
At the time of application, candidates must meet one of the following:
Academic Applicants
- Hold a PhD
- Have published a book or monograph beyond the dissertation
Policy, Government, Journalism, or Nonprofit Applicants
- Have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience
- Demonstrate significant policy, research, or leadership impact
All applicants must:
- Be proficient in English
- Submit a nonpartisan, policy-relevant research proposal
No institutional affiliation is required. Applicants may maintain other professional roles during the fellowship but must demonstrate how they will balance responsibilities.
Project Requirements
Eligible projects must:
- Be nonpartisan
- Address at least one of the Wilson Center’s four core scholarship pillars:
- Strategic competition
- Economic statecraft
- Technology and innovation
- Regional scholarship
- Present clear, significant relevance for contemporary U.S. or global policy
- Produce a substantial scholarly and policy-accessible output
Proposals may not involve:
- Dissertation completion or rewriting
- Creative arts projects
- Editing collections or preparing textbooks, translations, memoirs, or anthologies
The Center welcomes ambitious, original proposals that bridge disciplines, regions, or sectors and speak directly to urgent policy challenges.
Selection Criteria
Applications undergo a multi-stage internal and external review process. Reviewers assess:
- Significance & Originality – Does the project address an important foreign policy challenge with fresh insight?
- Policy Relevance – Will the work offer value to policymakers and broader public debates?
- Quality of Proposal – Is the project coherent, feasible, well-organized, and methodologically sound?
- Applicant’s Capacity – Does the applicant have a strong record and the ability to complete the proposed research?
- Contribution to the Center’s Mission – Will the applicant effectively engage with policymakers and translate research for broader audiences?
How to Apply
Applications—including reference letters—must be submitted online by January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
Applicants will be notified of decisions in early March 2026.
For questions, contact: fellowships@wilsoncenter.org
