Wilson China Fellowship: Bridging Academia and Policy for a Deeper Understanding of China’s Role in the World

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Kissinger Institute on China and the United States is inviting applications for its prestigious Wilson China Fellowship. This fellowship aims to support policy-oriented scholars specializing in China’s political, social, economic, security, or historical dynamics. With a focus on producing original research, the program seeks to deepen understanding of China’s evolving role in the Indo-Pacific region, its relationships with its neighbors and the United States, and its impact on global peace and security.

The Purpose of the Fellowship

At a time when China’s influence is growing both regionally and globally, this fellowship provides an opportunity for scholars to contribute fresh insights that are relevant to policymakers. The Wilson China Fellowship is particularly interested in research that not only builds upon established studies of US-China relations but also pushes the boundaries of conventional academic discussions. By promoting research that is interdisciplinary and innovative, the program aims to generate new knowledge on China’s impact, especially within the Indo-Pacific context.

Key Research Priorities

Fellowship projects will focus on:
– China’s Regional and Global Impact: The fellowship encourages research on China’s influence on its periphery, across Asia, and its relations with the United States.
– Unique and Emerging Issues: Scholars are encouraged to explore understudied or unconventional topics that may provide new perspectives on China’s domestic and international roles.
– Policy Relevance: Combining academic rigor with policy applications, the fellowship ensures that research outputs will have a direct impact on discussions surrounding China and US-China relations.
– Interdisciplinary Approaches: Proposals that take an interdisciplinary approach will receive special consideration, allowing for diverse perspectives and methodologies to contribute to the field.

This fellowship represents a commitment to bridging the gap between traditional academia and the policy world, fostering a new generation of American scholarship focused on China. As Robert Daly, Director of the Kissinger Institute, emphasized, “Neither China’s domestic development, nor US-China relations, can be usefully evaluated outside the Indo-Pacific context.” The fellowship will therefore equip scholars with the insights needed to shape American policy in the region.

Supporting Emerging Scholars

The Wilson China Fellowship is designed to support emerging scholars from across the United States who are working on a broad range of China-related issues. By bringing together both academic and practical expertise, the fellowship creates a space where research informs policy, helping to shape a nuanced understanding of China’s rise and its implications for the world.

With the generous support of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Wilson China Fellowship promises to be a vital resource for advancing the study of China and US-China relations in the years to come.

For more information and application guidelines, click here.