Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship 2027: Research Opportunities for Academics, PhD Students and Electoral Integrity Practitioners

The Electoral Integrity Project (EIP) Fellowship Programme 2027 is inviting applications from academics, students, researchers and practitioners interested in conducting research on electoral integrity and strengthening understanding of electoral processes.

The annual Fellowship Programme is designed to bring together researchers and practitioners at different stages of their careers to engage in electoral integrity research with support from the Electoral Integrity Project, fellow participants and members of its International Advisory Board.

The programme provides an opportunity for participants to develop an academic research project, produce a working paper, present their research at the EIP’s annual workshop and participate in monthly seminars where Fellows can receive feedback and engage in discussion with other researchers and practitioners.

The 2027 Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship Programme application deadline is 30 October 2026.

About the Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship

The Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship is structured around research and professional engagement in the field of electoral integrity.

Rather than being limited to one academic career stage, the programme includes different Fellowship categories designed for:

• Master’s students
• Doctoral students and candidates
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Assistant Professors
• Lecturers
• Associate Professors
• Full Professors
• Senior and Principal Lecturers
• Readers and equivalent academic positions
• Practitioners working in fields connected to electoral integrity

This structure allows researchers at different stages of their careers to participate in a common research environment while developing work related to the quality, credibility and functioning of electoral processes.

The programme also includes named fellowships that provide additional funding opportunities for specific groups and research themes.

What Is Electoral Integrity?

Electoral integrity broadly concerns the quality and credibility of electoral processes and the conditions under which elections are conducted.

Research in this area can involve a wide range of questions concerning elections, electoral institutions, political participation, electoral management, democratic processes and the factors that influence the functioning of elections.

The Fellowship therefore provides a research environment for scholars and practitioners whose work contributes to understanding electoral integrity from academic, institutional, policy or professional perspectives.

Because the programme is open to different types of researchers and practitioners, projects can potentially approach electoral integrity from multiple disciplinary and professional angles.

What Does the Fellowship Programme Offer?

The Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship has several core components designed to help Fellows develop and communicate their research.

1. Conduct an Academic Research Project

Fellows are expected to conduct an academic research project on a topic related to electoral integrity.

This provides participants with an opportunity to develop a focused research agenda while engaging with the broader work of the Electoral Integrity Project.

The research project can become an important foundation for further academic or professional work, particularly for students and early-career researchers developing their expertise in electoral studies.

2. Produce a Working Paper

Fellows are expected to produce a working paper based on their research project.

A working paper provides an opportunity to develop research findings into a structured academic document that can be discussed, reviewed and refined.

For Master’s and doctoral researchers, this can also provide useful experience in developing research for academic audiences.

3. Present Research at the Annual Workshop

The Fellowship includes preparation of an associated conference presentation for the EIP’s annual workshop.

This component allows Fellows to communicate their research to other researchers and participants working in electoral integrity and related areas.

Presenting research can also help participants develop their academic communication skills and receive perspectives that may contribute to further development of their project.

4. Participate in Monthly Seminars

Fellows participate in monthly seminars where participants present their work.

These seminars are designed to provide opportunities for:

• Research feedback
• Academic discussion
• Exchange of ideas
• Engagement with other Fellows
• Development of research arguments
• Discussion of research methods and findings

The seminar structure makes the Fellowship more than an individual research grant or independent research placement. Participants become part of a continuing research environment in which their work can be discussed with others.

5. Mentoring for Junior Fellows

Junior Fellows have the option of being matched with a senior mentor from the Electoral Integrity Project’s International Advisory Board or established practitioner partners.

This mentoring opportunity can be particularly useful for students and early-career researchers who are developing their research interests and professional networks.

Mentorship can provide an additional opportunity to receive guidance as a research project develops.

Types of Electoral Integrity Project Fellowships

The 2027 Fellowship Programme includes several categories of Fellows.

The categories reflect different levels of academic experience and professional involvement in electoral integrity.

Junior Fellows

Junior Fellows are academics at the level of Master’s or doctoral student/candidate.

This category provides an opportunity for students conducting advanced academic work to participate in electoral integrity research.

It may be relevant to:

• Master’s students researching elections or related subjects
• PhD students working on electoral integrity
• Doctoral candidates studying democracy or electoral processes
• Graduate researchers developing projects related to electoral institutions

Junior Fellows also have the option of being matched with a senior mentor.

Fellows

The standard Fellows category is intended for academics at the level of:

• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Assistant Professor
• Lecturer
• Equivalent academic positions

This category is suited to researchers who have moved beyond doctoral study and are developing their academic research careers.

Applicants at this stage may already have established research interests in elections, democracy, political institutions or related subjects.

Senior Fellows

Senior Fellows are academics at the level of:

• Associate Professor
• Full Professor
• Senior Lecturer
• Principal Lecturer
• Reader
• Equivalent academic positions

The category recognizes established academics who are conducting research related to electoral integrity.

Senior Fellows can participate in the research community while contributing their experience and scholarship to discussions surrounding electoral integrity.

Practitioner Fellows

The Practitioner Fellowship is designed for practitioners working in a field related to electoral integrity at any stage of their career.

The Electoral Integrity Project states that practitioners may come from:

• Government
• Non-governmental organizations
• Civil society
• Industry

This category is particularly relevant for professionals whose practical work connects with electoral processes, election administration, governance, democracy, political institutions or related areas.

The practitioner pathway means that the Fellowship is not restricted exclusively to university-based academics.

Learn More HERE

Named Fellowship Opportunities

In addition to the general Fellowship categories, the Electoral Integrity Project lists two named Fellowship opportunities for the 2027 programme.

These provide additional opportunities for applicants working on particular areas of electoral integrity research.

Carter Center Democracy Fellowships

There are two Carter Center Democracy Fellowships available.

Each Fellowship provides:

US$1,000

The named Fellowships are offered in collaboration with The Carter Center.

The opportunity is specifically intended for:

• Students
• Scholars

working on any area of electoral integrity research.

One important feature of the Carter Center Democracy Fellowship is its geographic eligibility.

The Electoral Integrity Project states that the fellowships are available to students or scholars from any country. This means that the named fellowship does not impose a restriction to a particular continent or region.

Applicants interested in this Fellowship should nevertheless review the application requirements and ensure that their proposed work fits within the broader focus on electoral integrity research.

Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships

There are also two Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships available.

Each provides:

C$1,000

These Fellowships are intended for junior scholars or practitioners working on projects related to building the resilience of electoral management.

The source identifies several areas that can fall within this research theme, including:

• Legal frameworks
• Leadership capacity
• Financial capacity
• Emerging technologies
• Opinion shifts concerning electoral management resiliency

The Fellowships are funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

This named Fellowship can therefore be particularly relevant to researchers and practitioners examining how electoral management institutions can become more resilient in the face of institutional, technological, financial or social changes.

Research Areas Relevant to the Fellowship

The programme is centered on electoral integrity research, which can encompass a broad range of academic and professional questions.

Potential areas of relevance may include research concerning:

• Electoral institutions
• Electoral management
• Election administration
• Democratic processes
• Political participation
• Electoral governance
• Election-related technologies
• Electoral law and legal frameworks
• Political communication
• Misinformation and elections
• Political behaviour
• Election observation
• Electoral disputes
• Institutional capacity
• Electoral security
• Democratic accountability

Applicants should ensure that their proposed research fits the Fellowship’s stated focus on electoral integrity.

The specific examples above should be treated as possible areas of relevance rather than a prescribed list of eligible research topics, because the supplied programme information does not provide an exhaustive research-topic list.

Why the Research Component Matters

One of the defining characteristics of the Fellowship is its emphasis on producing research rather than simply attending an academic programme.

Participants are expected to develop a research project and transform that work into a working paper and conference presentation.

This structure can help researchers move through several stages of academic development:

1. Developing a research question.
2. Conducting the research.
3. Developing a working paper.
4. Presenting findings.
5. Receiving feedback.
6. Refining the research.

For early-career researchers, this can provide a structured environment in which research is discussed throughout the Fellowship period.

For established academics and practitioners, the Fellowship can provide an opportunity to engage with a wider research community working on electoral integrity.

Networking and Academic Engagement

The Fellowship also creates opportunities for participants to interact with other researchers and professionals working on electoral integrity.

Monthly seminars allow Fellows to present their research and participate in discussion.

This type of academic engagement can be useful for:

• Exchanging research ideas
• Receiving constructive feedback
• Identifying new research questions
• Learning about related research
• Developing professional relationships
• Connecting academic research with practical experience

The involvement of the EIP’s International Advisory Board and practitioner partners also creates opportunities for interaction across academic and professional communities.

Mentorship for Emerging Researchers

Junior Fellows have access to an optional mentoring opportunity.

They may be matched with a senior mentor from:

• The EIP International Advisory Board, or
• Established practitioner partners.

For students and doctoral researchers, mentorship can provide an additional layer of professional and academic engagement.

A mentor may help an early-career researcher think through aspects of their research project and broader professional development, although the supplied source does not specify the precise structure or frequency of mentoring sessions.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The Fellowship may be relevant to applicants who are developing academic or professional interests in electoral integrity.

Potential applicants include:

• Master’s students
• PhD students
• Doctoral candidates
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Assistant Professors
• University Lecturers
• Associate Professors
• Full Professors
• Senior Lecturers
• Principal Lecturers
• Readers
• Equivalent academic professionals
• Government practitioners
• NGO professionals
• Civil society practitioners
• Industry professionals working in fields related to electoral integrity

The appropriate Fellowship category depends on the applicant’s career stage and professional background.

Academic Qualifications and Career Stage

The programme does not impose one universal academic qualification across all Fellowship categories.

Instead, eligibility is connected to the applicant’s professional or academic level.

For Junior Fellows

Applicants should be at the level of a Master’s or doctoral student/candidate.

For Fellows

Applicants should be at the level of a:

• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Assistant Professor
• Lecturer
• Equivalent position

For Senior Fellows

Applicants should be at the level of:

• Associate Professor
• Full Professor
• Senior Lecturer
• Principal Lecturer
• Reader
• Equivalent position

For Practitioner Fellows

Practitioners can apply at any career stage, provided their professional field is related to electoral integrity.

This includes professionals working in government, NGOs, civil society or industry.

Nationality, Race and Geographic Eligibility

The supplied information does not identify a race, ethnicity or continental restriction for the general Fellowship categories.

It also does not state that applicants must come from a particular country or region for the general Fellowship programme.

Therefore, the source should not be interpreted as restricting the general Fellowship to applicants from Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, Latin America, Oceania or any other particular geographic region.

The clearest nationality statement in the supplied information applies to the Carter Center Democracy Fellowships, which are specifically described as being for students or scholars from any country.

For the Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships, the source identifies the eligible professional group as junior scholars or practitioners working on relevant electoral management resilience projects, but it does not state a specific nationality, race or continental restriction.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that a particular nationality is required unless the specific application instructions state otherwise.

Are African Researchers Eligible?

The supplied information does not exclude African researchers.

Because the general Fellowship description does not specify a geographic exclusion and the Carter Center Democracy Fellowships explicitly accept applicants from any country, researchers based in African countries may be eligible, subject to meeting the relevant academic or practitioner criteria and the requirements of the particular Fellowship category.

The same principle applies to researchers from other parts of the world.

Are International Applicants Eligible?

For the general Fellowship categories, the supplied information does not establish a nationality restriction.

The Carter Center Democracy Fellowship is explicitly described as available to students and scholars from any country.

Consequently, international researchers should consider the programme based on their academic or professional category and the fit of their proposed research with electoral integrity, while checking the application form for any additional requirements.

Application Deadline for the 2027 Fellowship

The Electoral Integrity Project states that:

Applications for the 2027 Fellowship Programme are open until 30 October 2026.

Important deadline information

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their applications.

Because the Fellowship requires applicants to identify a research project related to electoral integrity, prospective applicants should allow sufficient time to consider their research topic and prepare the required application information.

How to Apply

The Electoral Integrity Project provides an online application route for the 2027 Fellowship Programme.

Applicants should begin by determining which Fellowship category corresponds to their academic or professional status.

Step 1: Identify your Fellowship category

Determine whether you are applying as:

• Junior Fellow
• Fellow
• Senior Fellow
• Practitioner Fellow

Applicants interested in the named Fellowships should also determine whether their research fits the requirements for the Carter Center Democracy Fellowship or the Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowship.

Step 2: Identify your research topic

The core requirement across the Fellowship programme is engagement with research related to electoral integrity.

Applicants should therefore have a clear idea of the research project they would like to undertake.

Step 3: Consider your research contribution

Think about the specific question your project addresses and how it contributes to understanding electoral integrity.

A clear research focus can help demonstrate the relevance of the proposed project.

Step 4: Review the Fellowship information

Applicants should carefully review the official Fellowship information and application instructions before submitting their application.

Step 5: Submit the application before the deadline

Applications for the 2027 programme must be submitted by:

30 October 2026.

The official application page is provided by the Electoral Integrity Project through its Fellowship Programme page.

APPLY HERE

What Applicants Should Prepare

Although the supplied source does not provide a complete checklist of application documents, prospective applicants should be prepared to clearly communicate their:

• Academic or professional status
• Research interests
• Proposed electoral integrity research project
• Relevant background in electoral integrity or related fields
• Career stage
• Interest in participating in the Fellowship programme

Applicants should use the official application form and instructions to determine the exact information and documentation required.

Examples from Previous Fellowship Cohorts

The Electoral Integrity Project’s previous Fellows demonstrate the breadth of academic and professional backgrounds represented in the programme.

The 2026 cohort includes researchers and practitioners working on subjects such as:

• Electoral studies
• Political communication
• Misinformation
• Democratization
• Comparative political institutions
• Political parties
• Electoral management
• Democracy
• Public policy
• Election observation
• Security
• Governance
• Political accountability

For example, the supplied information identifies Yoosuf Ali as a Senior Doctoral Fellow whose research interests include election studies, misinformation ecosystems, political communication and electoral behaviour.

The 2026 cohort also includes senior academics such as Svitlana Chernykh, whose research focuses on democratization and comparative political institutions, including elections, parties and constitutions.

Another Fellow, Constanza Sanhueza Petrarca, has research interests involving democracy, elections and representation and has held research positions at institutions including the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, V-Dem Institute and Sciences Po Paris.

The cohort also demonstrates the programme’s practitioner dimension. Sujith Jayasooriya, for example, is identified as a practitioner Fellow with experience in public policy analysis, political economy and work involving multilateral institutions.

Martyna Hoffman is another practitioner Fellow whose experience includes election observation, electoral research and work with the European Union Election Observation Mission in Sri Lanka.

These examples illustrate that the Fellowship community can include researchers and practitioners with different professional backgrounds and different approaches to electoral integrity research.

The Fellowship and Interdisciplinary Research

The range of previous Fellows also illustrates the interdisciplinary character of electoral integrity research.

Electoral integrity can intersect with fields such as:

• Political science
• Sociology
• Economics
• Public policy
• International relations
• Communications
• Technology studies
• Governance
• Security studies
• Development studies
• Law
• Data analysis

This means that researchers do not necessarily need to approach electoral integrity from a single disciplinary perspective.

A research project can potentially examine electoral integrity through institutional, technological, social, political, economic or communication-related questions, provided that it fits the Fellowship’s focus.

Why the Fellowship Can Be Relevant to PhD Students

For doctoral students and candidates, the Junior Fellowship can provide a research-focused environment during an important stage of academic development.

The combination of:

• Research project development
• Working paper production
• Conference presentation
• Monthly seminars
• Optional senior mentorship

can support the development and communication of doctoral-level research.

A PhD student studying elections, democracy, political institutions, electoral management, political communication or related issues may find the Fellowship particularly relevant if their work directly engages with electoral integrity.

Why the Fellowship Can Be Relevant to Established Academics

For postdoctoral researchers, lecturers and professors, the programme offers an opportunity to participate in a research community focused specifically on electoral integrity.

The Fellowship categories recognize researchers at different stages, from postdoctoral and lecturer level through senior academic positions.

Established researchers may also contribute perspectives and experience to discussions involving other Fellows while continuing to develop their own research projects.

Why the Practitioner Fellowship Matters

Electoral integrity is not solely an academic subject.

Government institutions, election-related organizations, civil society groups, NGOs and other organizations are involved in the practical functioning and study of electoral processes.

The Practitioner Fellowship recognizes this by allowing professionals working in relevant fields to participate at any career stage.

Practitioners can therefore approach electoral integrity from an applied perspective, drawing on their professional experiences and institutional knowledge.

Named Funding Opportunities

Applicants should pay particular attention to the two named Fellowship opportunities because they offer additional financial support.

Carter Center Democracy Fellowship

• Number available: 2
• Award: US$1,000 each
• Eligible group: Students or scholars
• Geographic eligibility: Any country
• Research focus: Any area of electoral integrity research
• Partner: The Carter Center

Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowship

• Number available: 2
• Award: C$1,000 each
• Eligible group: Junior scholars or practitioners
• Research focus: Resilience of electoral management
• Possible themes: Legal frameworks, leadership capacity, financial capacity, emerging technologies and opinion shifts concerning electoral management resilience
• Funding: Funded in part by Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Application Strategy

Prospective applicants can improve the clarity of their application by making sure their research idea is directly connected to electoral integrity.

A useful approach is to clearly identify:

1. The electoral integrity issue being investigated.
2. The research question or problem.
3. Why the issue matters.
4. The applicant’s relevant academic or professional background.
5. The type of research the applicant proposes to undertake.
6. How the project fits within the Fellowship’s research environment.

Applicants should also make sure they apply under the Fellowship category that corresponds to their current academic or professional level.

Important Things to Remember

Before submitting an application, prospective Fellows should keep the following points in mind:

• The programme is specifically focused on electoral integrity research.
• The Fellowship includes different categories based on career stage.
• Junior Fellows are Master’s or doctoral students/candidates.
• Fellows include postdoctoral researchers, Assistant Professors, Lecturers and equivalents.
• Senior Fellows include Associate and Full Professors and equivalent positions.
• Practitioner Fellows can be at any career stage if their work relates to electoral integrity.
• Junior Fellows have an optional senior mentoring opportunity.
• Fellows are expected to conduct a research project.
• Fellows produce a working paper.
• Fellows prepare a conference presentation for the annual workshop.
• Monthly seminars provide opportunities for research feedback and discussion.
• Two Carter Center Democracy Fellowships provide US$1,000 each.
• The Carter Center Democracy Fellowships are open to students or scholars from any country.
• Two Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships provide C$1,000 each.
• Applications for the 2027 programme close on 30 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship?

It is an annual Fellowship Programme designed for academics and practitioners at different career stages to engage in research related to electoral integrity with support from the EIP, other Fellows and members of its Advisory Board.

What is the deadline for the 2027 Fellowship?

The application deadline is 30 October 2026.

Can Master’s students apply?

Yes. Master’s students are included in the Junior Fellow category.

Can PhD students apply?

Yes. Doctoral students and candidates are included among Junior Fellows.

Can university lecturers apply?

Yes. Lecturers and equivalent academics are included in the Fellows category.

Can professors apply?

Yes. Associate Professors, Full Professors and equivalent senior academics are included in the Senior Fellow category.

Can practitioners apply?

Yes. Practitioner Fellows can be practitioners in fields related to electoral integrity at any career stage, including professionals from government, NGOs, civil society and industry.

Can applicants from any country apply?

The Carter Center Democracy Fellowships are explicitly open to students or scholars from any country. The supplied information does not establish a universal nationality restriction for the general Fellowship categories.

Is there a Fellowship specifically for electoral management resilience?

Yes. Two Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships are available for junior scholars or practitioners working on projects related to strengthening electoral management resilience.

How much do the named Fellowships provide?

The Carter Center Democracy Fellowships provide US$1,000 each, while the Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships provide C$1,000 each.

Is mentoring available?

Yes. Junior Fellows have the option of being matched with a senior mentor from the EIP International Advisory Board or established practitioner partners.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship 2027.

Official Application

Applications for the 2027 Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship Programme are open until 30 October 2026.

Interested applicants should consult the official Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship information and use the official application route provided by the organization.

The programme’s application page is listed as “Apply now” on the official Fellowship Programme page.

Conclusion

The Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship 2027 provides a research and professional-development opportunity for academics and practitioners interested in understanding electoral integrity and related questions surrounding electoral processes.

One of the programme’s key features is its broad career-stage structure. Master’s and doctoral students can apply as Junior Fellows, while postdoctoral researchers, lecturers and equivalent academics can apply through the Fellows category. More established academics can participate as Senior Fellows, while practitioners working in relevant fields can apply as Practitioner Fellows.

The programme also goes beyond independent research. Fellows are expected to conduct an academic research project, develop a working paper, prepare a conference presentation and participate in monthly seminars where they can present their work and receive feedback. Junior Fellows additionally have the option of receiving mentorship from a senior member of the EIP’s International Advisory Board or an established practitioner partner.

For applicants seeking additional funding opportunities, the programme includes two Carter Center Democracy Fellowships worth US$1,000 each and two Electoral Management Resiliency Fellowships worth C$1,000 each. The Carter Center Fellowships are particularly broad geographically because they are open to students or scholars from any country working on electoral integrity research.

The programme can therefore be relevant to a wide range of researchers and professionals, from graduate students developing their first major research projects to established academics and practitioners with experience in electoral institutions, governance, election observation and related fields.

Applicants interested in participating in the 2027 Electoral Integrity Project Fellowship Programme should carefully review the Fellowship categories and identify the opportunity that corresponds to their academic or professional stage.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026.

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline through the official Electoral Integrity Project application process.

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