STANFORD UNIVERSITY - WALTER H. SHORENSTEIN ASIA-PACIFIC RESEARCH CENTER (APARC)
Stanford University SNAPL Postdoctoral and Visiting Fellowships
full · phd
- Postdoc salary ~$80,000/year (est.)Postdoctoral funding
- Visiting stipend ~$30,000 (est.)Visiting funding
- 2-year postdoc / 1-year visitingDuration
- 2 + 2 positionsNumber of fellows
- 4 research themesFocus areas
- Stanford, CaliforniaLocation
At a glance
full
Funding
€75k
Max amount
Mar 1, 2027
Deadline
Open to international scholars of all nationalities with Asia-focused research
Country
Stanford University - Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC)
Provider
The Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL), based in the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) at Stanford University, offers two fully funded research fellowships for global scholars working on Asia's social, economic, and political transformations. Led by Professor Gi-Wook Shin, SNAPL organises its work around 4 themes: Talent Flows and Development, Nationalism and Racism, U.S.-Asia Relations, and Democratic Crisis and Reform. The Postdoctoral Fellowship runs for 2 years (2026-2028) and offers 2 funded positions for early-career scholars, with a salary of USD $80,000 per year plus full Stanford benefits; fellows must be in residence at Stanford and have earned a PhD within three years of the start date, with the dissertation approved by 30 June 2026 and the degree awarded by 31 August 2026. The Visiting Fellowship runs for 1 academic year (2026-2027), also offers 2 positions, and provides a stipend of USD $30,000 for mid-career researchers or professionals who hold a PhD or have a strong professional record. The Postdoctoral deadline was 1 December and the Visiting deadline 1 March. Because salary, stipend, and the 2026/2027 and 2026/2028 dates change each round, confirm the current figures and deadlines on the official Stanford APARC fellowship page before you apply.
What's covered
- Postdoctoral salary — The Postdoctoral Fellowship pays a salary of around ~$80,000 (est.) per year for two years, plus full Stanford benefits.
- Stanford benefits — Postdoctoral fellows receive Stanford's full employee benefits package alongside their salary during the fellowship.
- Visiting stipend — The Visiting Fellowship provides a stipend of around ~$30,000 (est.) for one academic year in residence at Stanford.
- Research access — Both fellowships provide access to Stanford's research facilities, the Freeman Spogli Institute, and APARC's academic community.
- Mentorship and events — Interdisciplinary mentorship, seminars, and policy events, with the option for visiting fellows to audit courses with instructor approval.
How to apply
Applications for each fellowship are submitted online with supporting documents and reference letters emailed to the SNAPL contact address before the relevant deadline.
- Choose the right fellowship — Decide whether you fit the Postdoctoral Fellowship (early-career, 2026-2028) or the Visiting Fellowship (mid-career, 2026-2027).
- Prepare your materials — Complete the online application form and prepare a letter of request describing your research focus and publication plans, plus an academic CV.
- Arrange reference letters — For the Postdoctoral Fellowship arrange three recommendation letters; for the Visiting Fellowship arrange two, sent directly to the SNAPL contact email.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the Postdoctoral application by 1 December and the Visiting application by 1 March; ensure all documents arrive on time.
- Await notification — Shortlisted candidates are contacted by SNAPL after the review process for each fellowship.
Eligibility
Postdoctoral - degree timingMust have earned a PhD within three years of the start date, with the dissertation approved by 30 June 2026 and the degree awarded by 31 August 2026.
Postdoctoral - recordStrong research and publication record related to one of SNAPL's four thematic areas, with emphasis on Nationalism and Racism in the latest round.
Visiting - qualificationMust hold a PhD or demonstrate significant professional achievement; preference for mid-career professionals with proven research portfolios.
Visiting - affiliationMust maintain an active institutional affiliation during the fellowship and be proficient in English.
ResidencyPostdoctoral fellows must reside at Stanford throughout the fellowship; visiting fellows are in residence for one academic year.
Both fellowships welcome international applicants. The Visiting Fellowship gives preference to researchers and professionals from the Asia-Pacific region, including one position focused on Philippine studies in the most recent round.
Eligible countries
Open to international scholars of all nationalities with Asia-focused research
Deadlines
Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026-2028~1 December 2026 (est.)
Visiting Fellowship 2026-2027~1 March 2027 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed on the quality and originality of the proposed research, its fit with SNAPL's four thematic areas, the strength of the applicant's publication and professional record, and the potential to contribute to APARC's policy-focused academic community. Postdoctoral applicants are evaluated on early-career research promise, while visiting applicants are assessed on mid-career achievement and the relevance of their Asia-Pacific work.
Verified sources
- Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) - Stanfordaparc.fsi.stanford.eduofficial
About the provider
The Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) is part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, a private research university founded in 1885. APARC conducts policy-focused research on the Asia-Pacific region, and its Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL) supports scholars studying the region's economic, social, and political change.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the SNAPL Postdoctoral Fellowship?
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It is a two-year, fully funded fellowship (2026-2028) at Stanford's Asia-Pacific Research Center for early-career scholars conducting interdisciplinary, policy-driven research on Asia, with a salary of around ~$80,000 (est.) per year plus benefits.
Who can apply for the Stanford Visiting Fellowship?
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Mid-career researchers and professionals who hold a PhD or have significant professional achievement, maintain an active institutional affiliation, and are proficient in English; preference goes to applicants from the Asia-Pacific region.
Are the fellowships fully funded?
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Yes. The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides a salary of about ~$80,000 (est.) per year plus full Stanford benefits, and the Visiting Fellowship provides a stipend of about ~$30,000 (est.).
Can international scholars apply?
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Yes. Both fellowships are open to scholars of all nationalities pursuing Asia-related research.
What are SNAPL's main research themes?
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Four themes: Talent Flows and Development, Nationalism and Racism, U.S.-Asia Relations, and Democratic Crisis and Reform.
How long is the Postdoctoral Fellowship?
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It runs for two years, from 2026 to 2028, with a possible extension depending on funding.
What are the PhD timing rules for the postdoctoral role?
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Applicants must have earned a PhD within three years of the start date, with the dissertation approved by 30 June 2026 and the degree awarded by 31 August 2026.
How much is the Visiting Fellowship stipend?
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The Visiting Fellowship provides a stipend of around ~$30,000 (est.) for one academic year in residence at Stanford.
What documents are required?
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An application form, a letter of request describing research focus and plans, an academic CV, and recommendation letters (three for postdoctoral, two for visiting).
When are the application deadlines?
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In the most recent round the Postdoctoral deadline was 1 December and the Visiting deadline was 1 March; confirm the exact dates on the official Stanford APARC page.
Do fellows have to live at Stanford?
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Yes. Postdoctoral fellows must reside at Stanford throughout the fellowship, and visiting fellows are in residence at Stanford for one academic year.
Where do I apply officially?
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Applications are made through the official Stanford APARC fellowship page, with reference letters emailed to the SNAPL contact address; always confirm current figures and dates there before applying.