Call for The Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2026-27 is open now!!!
The Wilson Center invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to take part in its flagship Research Fellowship Program and to take advantage of the opportunity to engage actively in the Center’s mission. The Center will award a series of fellowships for the 2026-2027 class. Fellows are encouraged to interact with policymakers in Washington, D.C. and other scholars who are working on similar research and topics.
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The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars aims to unite the world of ideas to the world of policy by supporting pre-eminent scholarship and linking that scholarship to issues of concern to policymakers in Washington. The Wilson Center promotes nonpartisan research as a commitment to evidence-based scholarship that seeks to inform, but not advocate for a particular political viewpoint.
At its core, the fellowship is designed to support “public intellectuals.” These are individuals who possess the deep expertise of a specialist but have the rare ability to communicate their findings to a non-specialist audience of policymakers, journalists, and diplomats. In an era often defined by polarization and superficial analysis, the Wilson Center provides a sanctuary for nonpartisan, evidence-based inquiry. The fellowship operates on the belief that for policy to be effective, it must be rooted in historical context, cultural understanding, and scientific accuracy.
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Congress established the Center in 1968 as the official, national memorial to President Wilson. Unlike the physical monuments in the nation’s capital, it is a living memorial whose work and scholarship commemorate “the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson.” As both a distinguished scholar and national leader, President Wilson felt strongly that the scholar and the policymaker were “engaged in a common enterprise.” Today, the Center takes seriously the need to bridge the gap between the world of ideas and public policy, bringing them into creative contact, enriching the work of both, and enabling each to learn from the other. This continuing dialogue between public policy and scholarship makes the Center unique.
A successful tenure at the Wilson Center results in more than just a peer-reviewed journal article or a book manuscript; it results in a shift in the policy conversation. Through the Center’s vast media reach, digital platforms, and direct links to Capitol Hill, a fellow’s research has the potential to influence real-world legislation and international strategy. It is a unique space where the long-term vision of the scholar meets the immediate needs of the statecraft professional, creating a rare synergy that advances the public good. Ultimately, being a Wilson Center Fellow means becoming part of a legacy of thinkers who believe that ideas, when properly researched and bravely shared, have the power to change the world.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
- The Center offers a stipend of $10,000 per month for a twelve-month fellowship.
- 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 Wilson Center Library provides loan privileges with the Library of Congress and access to digital resources, its book and journal collections, and to university and special libraries in the area, and other research facilities.
- The Center will provide guidance for all fellows on translating academic research into policy-relevant content.
- Participation in internal “Work in Progress” seminars to receive peer feedback and attend presentations by other global thought leaders.
Eligibilities
- Applicants from academia must have a PhD and have published a book, monograph, or other substantial body of work beyond the PhD dissertation.
- Applicants from government, policy, or the nonprofit sector must have achieved a level of professional distinction and experience equivalent to advanced academic standing. This is typically 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, as the Center is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas among its fellows and provide educational opportunities to Congress.
- The proposed project must be nonpartisan and focused on one of the Center’s four scholarship pillars: Strategic Competition, Economic Statecraft, Technology and Innovation, or Regional Scholarship.
- Primary project outputs may include but are not limited to a book manuscript, series of long-form articles, or a briefing roundtable series for policymakers. Additional projects demonstrating a high-level of scholarship may be considered.
- 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 Process
- Applicants will need to create a user profile on the application platform to save your progress and manage your submission.
- Fill out the Fellowship Application Form.
- Submit a current CV that does not exceed 3 pages, using 12-point font.
- Upload a project proposal that does not exceed 5 pages, using 12-point font.
- Provide a description of how you intend to contribute to the Wilson Center community, that does not exceed 200 words.
- Submit 2 letters of reference and provide their email addresses within the portal. The system will send them a link to upload their letters directly.
Application Deadline: January 17, 2026 (5 Days Remaining)
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