Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2026–2027: Applications Now Open

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has officially launched the 2026–27 Wilson Center Research Fellowship competition. This flagship fellowship supports scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals conducting nonpartisan, policy-relevant research that informs decision-making in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

This prestigious program offers a unique opportunity for researchers seeking to bridge academic inquiry with public policy, produce high-quality scholarship, and engage with influential policymakers, congressional staff, and thought leaders.

Application Deadline: January 16, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Stipend: $10,000 per month
Fellowship Duration: June 1, 2026 – May 30, 2027
Contact: fellowships@wilsoncenter.org
Mode of Work: Remote fellowship with required travel to Washington, D.C. at the start and end of the program

About the Wilson Center Research Fellowship

The Wilson Center Research Fellowship is designed to support individuals whose work addresses critical foreign policy challenges facing the United States and the world. During their fellowship year, participants conduct independent research, write, and engage directly with policymakers and scholars in Washington, D.C. The program emphasizes evidence-based, nonpartisan scholarship that offers actionable insights for government decision-makers.

Founded by Congress in 1968 as a living memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, the Center aims to unite the world of ideas with the world of public policy. It remains a leading institution for research that informs debates on international affairs, diplomacy, security, economics, and global governance.

Fellowship Benefits and Key Features

Duration and Funding

• Twelve-month fellowship running from June 1, 2026 to May 30, 2027

• Monthly stipend of $10,000

• Fully funded travel to Washington, D.C., at the beginning and end of the fellowship

Work Expectations

Fellows work remotely but are expected to:

• Conduct an original, nonpartisan, policy-relevant research project

• Deliver a Work-in-Progress presentation

• Participate in policy briefings, seminars, and public discussions

• Produce outputs such as book manuscripts, long-form articles, policy reports, or briefing series

• Engage with policymakers, Congressional offices, federal agencies, media, and the broader Washington policy community

Fellows also receive access to the Library of Congress through generous loan privileges, along with access to local university and special libraries.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

For academics:

• Hold a PhD

• Have published at least one book or monograph beyond the doctoral dissertation

For practitioners, journalists, government officials, or nonprofit leaders:

• Possess a minimum of ten years of professional experience

• Demonstrate a record of leadership, policy impact, or substantial publication

Other criteria:

• English proficiency is required

• Global applicants are welcome; U.S. citizenship is not required

• Institutional affiliation is not necessary

• Applicants who previously held a Wilson Center fellowship must wait at least five years before reapplying

Project Eligibility

Project proposals must:

• Be nonpartisan

• Align with at least one of the Wilson Center’s pillars of scholarship:

  • Strategic competition

  • Economic statecraft

  • Technology and innovation

  • Regional scholarship

• Present new research; dissertation revisions are not allowed

• Result in a substantive scholarly or policy-relevant output

Projects involving artistic creation, textbook preparation, translation, or editing are not eligible.

Selection Criteria

Applications undergo a rigorous multi-stage review by Wilson Center experts and external specialists. Selection is based on:

1. Significance and originality of the proposed research

2. Relevance to contemporary U.S. and global policy issues

3. Clarity, scope, and feasibility of the proposal

4. Applicant’s qualifications and demonstrated ability to complete the project

5. Potential to contribute to the Wilson Center’s mission and engage with policymakers

Final decisions depend on approval from the Center’s Board of Trustees and available funding.

Required Application Materials

A complete application includes:

1. Fellowship Application Form

Includes personal information, project title, professional background, and a disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest. Applicants must describe any planned outside work during the fellowship year and explain how they will balance those responsibilities (maximum 200 words).

2. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)

Must include publications with full citations. Applicants may include brief explanations for career gaps or rescinded opportunities.

3. Project Proposal (maximum 5 pages)

The proposal must clearly explain the research topic, its originality, its policy relevance, and methodology. It should address:

• Importance of the topic

• Key questions, hypotheses, and research design

• Research completed to date

• Planned work at the Wilson Center

• Alignment with scholarship pillars and nonpartisanship

• Policy relevance for Washington audiences

• A short bibliography of primary and secondary sources

4. Contribution Statement (maximum 200 words)

Applicants must describe how they plan to engage with and contribute to the Wilson Center community. Examples may include policy briefings, op-eds, public events, or collaborative projects.

5. Two Letters of Recommendation

Referees must submit letters online by the deadline. Letters should evaluate:

• The applicant’s qualifications

• The significance of the proposed project

• The relevance to policy

• The applicant’s ability to complete the project

• Their potential to contribute to the Center’s mission

Frequently Asked Questions (Summary)

Who can apply?
Scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals with projects that address major global public policy challenges.

Is U.S. citizenship required?
No. Applicants from around the world are eligible.

Is the fellowship in person?
The fellowship is remote, with required travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and conclusion.

Are interviews conducted?
No interviews are part of the selection process.

When will applicants be notified?
All applicants will receive decisions in March 2026.

Does the Wilson Center provide research assistants or health insurance?
No. Fellows are responsible for their own insurance and conduct independent research.

Why Apply to the Wilson Center Fellowship?

The Wilson Center Fellowship is one of the world’s leading opportunities for policy-oriented research. Fellows gain unparalleled access to policymakers, national leaders, and policy scholars, while receiving the financial support and academic freedom necessary to produce significant, high-impact work.

The Fellowship is ideal for individuals who want to:

• Advance original research with real policy implications

• Build connections within Washington’s policy ecosystem

• Influence national and international debates through rigorous scholarship

• Translate academic research into actionable policy insights

How to Apply

The 2026–27 Wilson Center Research Fellowship is now accepting applications. All materials, including reference letters, must be submitted online by January 16, 2026 (11:59 PM ET).

APPLY HERE 

MORE INFO HERE

MORE FAQs 

For more information or technical assistance, contact: fellowships@wilsoncenter.org