The Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2027-2028 offers a $10,000 monthly stipend for scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to conduct policy-relevant, nonpartisan research. Fellows will work remotely, with required trips to Washington D.C. at the start and end of the fellowship. Applicants need a PhD with publications or equivalent professional distinction, and English proficiency. The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
By Wilson Center
The Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2027-2028 invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to participate in its flagship Research Fellowship Program. The fellowship provides an opportunity for individuals to conduct research and write in their areas of interest, while also engaging with policymakers in Washington D.C. and fellow researchers. The program seeks policy-relevant, nonpartisan fellowship proposals that address critical foreign policy challenges facing the United States and the global community. Fellows will primarily work remotely during their tenure with the Wilson Center. However, the program mandates a trip to Washington D.C. at the commencement and conclusion of the fellowship, with travel costs covered by the Wilson Center. The fellowship spans a duration of twelve months, commencing on June 1, 2027, and concluding on May 30, 2028. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of $10,000 throughout the fellowship period. This stipend is intended to support fellows during their dedicated research and writing activities. Eligibility criteria include a PhD and a substantial publication record for academics, or equivalent professional distinction and experience for those from government, policy, or non-profit sectors. Proficiency in English is also required, as is the ability to attend the mandatory in-person meetings in Washington D.C. during June 2027 and May 2028.
Applicants from academia must hold a PhD and have published a book or monograph beyond their PhD dissertation, or a substantial body of research articles (typically five or more) in reputable peer-reviewed journals. Applicants from government, policy, or the nonprofit sector must have achieved a level of professional distinction and experience equivalent to advanced academic standing, typically with at least 10 years of relevant experience and a record of substantial policy impact, publication, or leadership in their field. Applicants must be proficient in English. Applicants 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, as the Wilson Center does not sponsor J-1 visas. If the applicant intends to reside outside of the United States during the fellowship, they must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States. An institutional affiliation is not required to apply. Fellows may take leave from their current positions or maintain additional affiliations during their fellowship.