The Carnegie China Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from eligible American scholars, practitioners, journalists, lawyers, and other public intellectuals interested in developing original research on China’s rise, its global implications, and its relationship with the United States.

Organized through the University of Maryland School of Public Policy’s Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM/CUSP context as presented in the fellowship guidelines), the one-year, non-residential fellowship is designed to connect rigorous research with public policy. Selected fellows receive a $20,000 stipend that can support activities such as teaching release, research-related travel, and research assistant compensation.

The fellowship provides an opportunity for researchers and professionals to investigate important questions concerning China while engaging with policymakers and the broader policy community in Washington and internationally. Fellows are expected to produce a policy-focused research paper and present their findings at the annual Carnegie China Conference at the University of Maryland.

Deadline: January 4, 2027

About the Carnegie China Fellowship

The Carnegie China Fellowship is a one-year, non-residential research fellowship intended to support rising American scholars and other qualified public intellectuals conducting research related to China.

The fellowship focuses on understanding:

• China’s rise and development
• The effects of China’s emergence on the wider world
• China’s relationship with the United States
• Issues of importance to public policy
• Questions that can contribute to policymakers’ understanding of China and related global developments

Rather than limiting applicants to a single academic discipline, the program encourages proposals that approach China-related questions from different perspectives and that can communicate their findings beyond a narrowly specialized academic audience.

During the fellowship period, successful applicants are expected to undertake original, policy-oriented research and participate actively in the policy community. This can include engagement with policymakers in Washington and elsewhere.

The fellowship also requires fellows to produce a policy-focused research paper based on their work and present their findings at the annual Carnegie China Conference at the University of Maryland.

What the Carnegie China Fellowship Offers

One of the central components of the fellowship is a $20,000 stipend.

The stipend is intended to provide financial support that can help fellows dedicate time and resources to their proposed research project. According to the fellowship guidelines, the funding may be used for purposes such as:

• Buying out teaching responsibilities
• Research-related travel expenses
• Research assistant compensation
• Other activities directly connected to conducting the proposed research

Applicants should note that the fellowship does not provide all personal or research-related expenses. Fellows remain responsible for their own health insurance and for managing their own research-related travel logistics.

The fellowship also may not be deferred, meaning applicants should be prepared to undertake the fellowship during the designated period if selected.

Who Is Encouraged to Apply?

The Carnegie China Fellowship welcomes applications from a broad range of professionals whose work can contribute to a deeper understanding of China and its implications for international affairs and public policy.

The program specifically invites applications from:

• Scholars
• Practitioners
• Journalists
• Lawyers
• Other public intellectuals

Applicants may come from different academic and professional backgrounds. The program specifically identifies areas such as:

Economics

Researchers working in economics may explore issues involving China’s economy, international economic relations, trade, development, financial systems, economic policy, or China’s role in the global economy.

Humanities

Applicants from the humanities may approach China-related questions through disciplines such as:

• Area studies
• Cultural studies
• History
• Related humanities fields

Historical and cultural research can qualify where the proposed project demonstrates meaningful relevance to public policy.

Law

Lawyers and legal scholars may propose projects examining China’s legal institutions, international law, regulatory developments, governance, or other legal questions connected to China and its relationship with the United States or wider world.

Social Sciences

The fellowship also welcomes researchers working in social sciences, including:

• Anthropology
• Political science
• Sociology
• Related social science disciplines

The program is not restricted to these fields, and applicants from other relevant areas may also apply.

The Fellowship Encourages Interdisciplinary Research

A notable feature of the Carnegie China Fellowship is its interest in projects that go beyond narrow disciplinary boundaries.

The program particularly welcomes research that:

• Transcends narrow academic specialties
• Moves beyond methodological debates that are primarily relevant within one discipline
• Examines understudied issues
• Connects academic research to broader public-policy questions
• Can be communicated effectively to policymakers and non-specialist audiences

This means that applicants should think carefully about how their research can contribute to conversations outside their immediate academic field.

A strong proposal should make the significance of the research understandable to readers who may not have specialized knowledge of the applicant’s discipline.

Policy Relevance Is an Important Consideration

Applicants are expected to demonstrate the public-policy relevance of their proposed research.

Policy relevance does not mean that the project must be narrowly focused on current government policy. The guidelines specifically indicate that historical, sociological, and other forms of research can be relevant.

The important consideration is whether the project’s findings or lessons could help policymakers better understand an important topic.

Applicants should therefore explain clearly:

1. What question their research will investigate.
2. Why the question matters.
3. What is original about the proposed research.
4. How the research could contribute to understanding an issue of public importance.
5. Why the findings could be useful to policymakers or the broader policy community.

Applicants should also be prepared to interact with policymakers in Washington as part of the fellowship experience.

Eligibility Requirements

The Carnegie China Fellowship has specific eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens.
• Have received a PhD or JD from an accredited university.
• Hold the qualifying degree at the time of application.
• Submit a complete application in English.
• Develop a research proposal that meets the fellowship’s requirements.

An institutional affiliation is not required to apply. This means that eligible applicants do not necessarily need to be currently affiliated with a university, research institution, or other organization.

The application form specifically asks applicants to provide information about their U.S. citizenship, PhD or JD qualification, awarding institution, year the degree was awarded, and primary academic discipline.

Who Is Not Eligible or What Projects Are Excluded?

The fellowship guidelines also identify several categories of applications and projects that will not be accepted.

The program will not accept:

• Applicants currently working toward a PhD or JD
• Partisan proposals
• Advocacy-oriented proposals
• Rewritten doctoral dissertations
• Projects primarily involving the editing of texts, papers, or documents
• Preparation of textbooks
• Preparation of anthologies
• Preparation of translations
• Preparation of memoirs

Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed project represents a distinct research undertaking rather than simply revising an existing doctoral dissertation or undertaking an editorial project.

The distinction between research and advocacy is particularly important. Applicants should formulate research questions objectively and demonstrate that their conclusions will emerge from the investigation rather than being predetermined.

Carnegie China Fellowship Selection Process

Applications that meet the initial eligibility requirements undergo a multi-stage review process.

The process includes internal evaluations by the relevant University of Maryland program and consideration by a selection committee that includes experts from inside and outside the University of Maryland.

The review process considers several dimensions of an applicant’s research and professional record.

1. Significance and Originality of the Research

Reviewers consider the importance of the proposed project and whether it offers an original contribution.

Applicants should therefore explain why their research question matters and what makes their proposed study different from existing work.

A proposal should make clear:

• The problem being investigated
• Why the problem deserves attention
• What is already known
• What remains unclear
• What the applicant intends to discover
• What new contribution the research could make

2. Policy Relevance

The proposal should explain how the research can contribute to policymakers’ understanding of the issue under investigation.

As noted in the guidelines, policy relevance does not require a project to be purely contemporary or governmental. Historical, sociological, cultural, and other research can qualify when its findings or lessons have potential relevance to public-policy understanding.

3. Quality of the Project Proposal

The quality of the proposal is another important consideration.

Applicants are encouraged to present their ideas with:

• Clear definitions
• Strong organization
• Logical structure
• Clarity
• Appropriate scope
• A clearly defined research problem
• A coherent methodology
• A persuasive explanation of the project’s importance

The proposal should explain what reviewers will learn from the research and why that knowledge matters.

Applicants are also encouraged to articulate a clear hypothesis or step-by-step argument around a central problem where appropriate.

4. Methodology

The research methodology should be clearly explained.

Applicants should identify:

• The approach they intend to use
• Why the chosen approach is appropriate
• How they will gather the information or data required
• What sources they will consult
• What archives or collections they may use
• What techniques will be used to analyze the evidence
• How the methodology will allow them to address the research question

Because reviewers may come from fields different from that of the applicant, the proposal should explain specialized research methods in accessible language.

5. Applicant’s Capabilities and Achievements

The selection process also considers the applicant’s professional and academic record.

Applicants need to demonstrate that they possess the skills, knowledge, experience, and background necessary to complete the proposed project successfully.

However, the proposal should not present the project’s conclusion as predetermined.

Instead, applicants should demonstrate that the research involves a genuine inquiry and that there is something meaningful to investigate.

The application should give reviewers confidence that the proposed project is feasible and that the applicant has a realistic plan for completing it.

6. Contribution to CUSP’s Mission

The program also considers whether the candidate can contribute to the broader life, priorities, and mission of the center.

An important aspect of this is the ability to make expert research accessible to a broader audience.

Applicants should therefore consider how they can communicate their research beyond academic specialists and contribute to conversations connecting scholarship with public affairs.

Carnegie China Fellowship Application Requirements

All applications must be submitted online.

The program states that it will not accept application materials submitted by email or through other means, with the exception of the required reference letters, which are to be sent by the referees to the designated email address.

A complete application must be submitted in English.

Applicants are required to prepare the following materials:

1. Project Proposal

The project proposal is one of the most important components of the application.

It must:

• Be no more than five single-spaced typed pages
• Use 12-point type
• Be submitted in PDF format
• Clearly explain the proposed research project

The proposal should address several specific elements.

Detailed Description of the Topic

Applicants should provide a detailed explanation of the research topic and its importance.

The proposal should establish the central issue and explain why it deserves investigation.

Originality of the Study

Applicants must explain what makes their proposed study distinctive.

This can involve addressing an understudied question, approaching an established issue from a new perspective, examining new evidence, or developing a research approach that contributes something different.

Basic Ideas and Hypotheses

The proposal should explain the core ideas behind the research and identify the main hypotheses where appropriate.

The research question and argument should be sufficiently clear that a reviewer outside the applicant’s specific discipline can understand what the project is attempting to establish.

Methodology

The applicant should explain how the research will be conducted.

This includes describing the activities required to gather evidence and the methods that will be used to analyze the evidence.

Current Research Status

Applicants should also explain the current status of their research.

This should include information about:

• Work already completed
• Relevant collections or archives already consulted
• Existing research or evidence gathered
• What remains to be done
• What the applicant expects to accomplish during the fellowship

This helps reviewers understand both the project’s current stage and how the fellowship would contribute to its completion.

2. Current CV or Resume

Applicants must submit a current CV or resume.

The CV/resume must not exceed three pages.

There is an important exception regarding publications, presentations, or events. A list of publications, presentations, or events placed at the end of the CV/resume does not count toward the three-page limit.

The CV should provide a clear overview of the applicant’s academic and professional background and demonstrate relevant achievements and capabilities.

3. Two Letters of Reference

Applicants must arrange for two letters of reference to be submitted by the deadline.

The letters should be written by people who are familiar with the applicant and their work.

Importantly, referees should receive a copy of the applicant’s project description so that their letters can address:

• The proposed research
• The applicant’s qualifications
• The applicant’s ability to undertake the project
• The applicant’s proposed contribution to the fellowship
• How the applicant and/or their research could contribute to bridging academic learning and public affairs

The reference letters must be written in English.

Applicants are specifically advised not to submit letters originally written for another purpose, such as employment applications.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that both reference letters reach the program by the application deadline.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their referees before the deadline to confirm that the letters have been submitted.

Reference letters should be sent by the referees to:

cusp@umd.edu

Information Required in the Online Application

The online application form requests several categories of information.

Contact Information

Applicants are required to provide information including:

• First name
• Last name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Permanent address
• City or town
• State or province
• ZIP/postal code

Eligibility Information

The application asks applicants to affirm that:

• They are a U.S. citizen.
• They hold a PhD or JD awarded by an accredited institution.

Applicants must also provide:

• Name of the awarding institution
• Year the degree was awarded
• Primary academic discipline

Project Information

Applicants must provide:

• Project title
• Project proposal

The proposal must be uploaded as a PDF and must comply with the five-page limit and formatting requirements.

The application specifies a 100 MB file limit for the proposal.

CV/Resume

Applicants must also upload their current CV or resume in PDF format.

The CV/resume is subject to the three-page requirement and has a stated 100 MB file limit.

Recommendation Confirmation

Applicants must confirm that they will request their two recommenders to submit their letters of recommendation to cusp@umd.edu by the deadline.

Applicants must also affirm that the information supplied in the application is true and accurate.

The form additionally asks applicants how they heard about the Carnegie China Fellowship.

Important Application Considerations

Prospective applicants should pay close attention to the distinction between a strong academic research proposal and a proposal written exclusively for specialists.

The Carnegie China Fellowship explicitly encourages applicants to make their projects understandable to individuals outside their own fields.

A proposal should therefore avoid unnecessary technical language and explain specialized concepts when they are necessary.

Applicants should focus on demonstrating:

• A clearly defined research problem
• An important and original research question
• A logical research strategy
• A suitable methodology
• A realistic plan
• Evidence of preparation and relevant expertise
• Potential public-policy relevance
• A willingness to engage with policymakers
• The ability to communicate research findings to broader audiences

Why the Research Proposal Matters

The five-page proposal gives applicants limited space to communicate a substantial research project, making clarity and organization particularly important.

A well-structured proposal can help reviewers understand the relationship between the research question, methodology, evidence, expected contribution, and policy relevance.

Applicants should avoid treating the proposal simply as a summary of their previous academic work. The fellowship is intended to support a research project with its own purpose and contribution.

Similarly, applicants should avoid presenting a predetermined conclusion. The guidelines emphasize the importance of demonstrating that there is a genuine inquiry at stake.

Connecting Scholarship With Public Affairs

A central theme of the Carnegie China Fellowship is the relationship between research and public affairs.

The program is designed for people who can contribute rigorous knowledge while engaging with the policy community.

This makes the ability to communicate research findings beyond an academic audience an important component of the fellowship.

Selected fellows are expected to engage with the policy community in Washington and abroad and eventually present their findings at the annual Carnegie China Conference at the University of Maryland.

The fellowship therefore provides a structure in which research can move from academic investigation toward broader discussions involving policymakers and other public audiences.

Fellowship Timeline and Deadline

The current Carnegie China Fellowship application round is open now.

The application deadline is: January 4, 2027

Applicants should not wait until the final day to begin preparing their materials because the application includes several components that require coordination, particularly the two external reference letters.

Before submitting, applicants should ensure that:

1. The project proposal is within the five-page limit.
2. The proposal is formatted using 12-point type and single spacing.
3. The proposal is submitted as a PDF.
4. The CV/resume does not exceed three pages.
5. Both reference letters have been requested.
6. Referees understand that letters must reach CUSP by the deadline.
7. The application is completed in English.
8. The applicant satisfies the U.S. citizenship and PhD/JD requirements.
9. The research project is not one of the excluded project types.
10. All information submitted is accurate.

How to Apply for the Carnegie China Fellowship

Interested applicants should complete the online application through the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.

Applicants should carefully review the fellowship guidelines and application requirements before submitting their materials.

Questions about the fellowship can be directed to CUSP at cusp@umd.edu.

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Key Facts About the Carnegie China Fellowship

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Conclusion

The Carnegie China Fellowship 2027 offers eligible U.S. citizens with a PhD or JD an opportunity to undertake substantial research on China and its relationship with the United States while connecting scholarship with public policy.

The one-year, non-residential fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend and supports research-related activities such as teaching release, travel, and research assistance. Beyond financial support, the program emphasizes engagement with policymakers, production of a policy-focused research paper, and presentation of research at the annual Carnegie China Conference at the University of Maryland.

The fellowship welcomes applications from scholars and professionals across economics, humanities, law, social sciences, and other relevant areas. Projects that cross disciplinary boundaries or address understudied issues are particularly encouraged, provided they demonstrate clear relevance to public-policy understanding.

Applicants should give careful attention to the five-page project proposal, three-page CV/resume requirement, and two required reference letters. Because reference letters must arrive by the deadline, prospective applicants should begin coordinating with their referees well in advance.

With the application deadline set for January 4, 2027, eligible applicants interested in China, global affairs, U.S.-China relations, and policy-oriented research should review the official requirements and prepare their applications accordingly.

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