The America in the World Consortium (AWC) Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–28 offer an important research opportunity for scholars whose work examines American grand strategy, U.S. foreign policy, international affairs, national security, geopolitics, and related policy questions.

The fellowship is offered through a partnership involving leading U.S. academic institutions, including Duke University, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and the University of Texas at Austin. The consortium brings together policy-interested scholars from different academic disciplines to encourage deeper debate about America’s role in the world and to prepare researchers to engage with major geopolitical and policy challenges.

Applications for the 2027–28 AWC Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program opened on October 1, 2026, and the application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

This opportunity is particularly relevant to doctoral researchers and recent Ph.D. graduates whose academic work has a direct connection to American grand strategy and foreign policy, broadly understood.

What Is the America in the World Consortium?

The America in the World Consortium (AWC) is a partnership of universities designed to encourage a more vibrant intellectual and policy-oriented discussion about America’s role in the international system.

The consortium focuses on preparing the next generation of scholars and policy thinkers to engage with issues involving:

• American grand strategy
• U.S. foreign policy
• International relations
• National security
• Geopolitics
• Global affairs
• Policy and institutions
• International history
• Strategic studies
• Political philosophy
• Public policy
• Other research areas directly connected to America’s role in the world

The program is deliberately interdisciplinary. Although certain disciplines receive preference, applicants from other academic backgrounds can also be considered when their research has a strong connection to the fellowship’s central themes.

The consortium’s broader objective is to create an intellectually diverse community in which scholars can pursue original research while interacting with academics, policy experts, institutions, and programs focused on international affairs and American strategy.

What Are the AWC Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships?

The AWC offers two related fellowship opportunities:

1. AWC Predoctoral Fellowship
2. AWC Postdoctoral Fellowship

Although both fellowships focus on research related to American grand strategy, they are intended for scholars at different stages of their academic careers.

The fellowship allows successful candidates to spend a substantial portion of their time developing their own research and writing projects while participating in the intellectual life and programming of their host institution.

The official Johns Hopkins SAIS information states that fellows are expected to be in residence, receive a competitive stipend, have access to campus facilities and resources, and begin the fellowship in August 2027.

This makes the opportunity more than simply a financial award. It is a research-based academic fellowship that places scholars within an active university research environment.

Participating Universities and Research Centers

The AWC fellowship is associated with major research centers at its partner institutions.

1. Duke University

The fellowship is connected with the Program in American Grand Strategy (AGS) at Duke University.

Duke’s American Grand Strategy program focuses on major questions involving America’s role in the world, strategic decision-making, foreign policy, national security, and international affairs.

Researchers hosted through this environment can benefit from the university’s academic resources and the broader intellectual community surrounding American grand strategy.

2. Johns Hopkins University – SAIS

At Johns Hopkins University, the fellowship is associated with the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

The Kissinger Center brings together scholars and practitioners working on complex questions involving international affairs, diplomacy, strategy, global order, and national security.

The AWC fellowship provides researchers with access to Johns Hopkins University libraries and facilities as well as a shared workstation at the Kissinger Center for fellows hosted there.

3. University of Texas at Austin

The fellowship is also connected with the Clements Center for National Security at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Clements Center supports research and scholarship related to national security, history, strategy, international affairs, and policy.

The center states that its predoctoral fellows receive a competitive stipend, full use of University of Texas facilities, and office space at the Clements Center.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The AWC is specifically designed for scholars whose research has a meaningful relationship with American grand strategy.

Importantly, “American grand strategy” is interpreted broadly.

Applicants do not necessarily have to be conducting research exclusively about U.S. military strategy. Research can address wider questions about America’s role in international affairs, foreign policy, global order, institutions, diplomacy, national security, or policy.

The consortium welcomes applications from all academic disciplines when the applicant’s research directly relates to the program’s objectives.

However, preference is given to applicants working in areas such as:

• History
• Political science
• Public policy
• Classics
• Political philosophy

Applicants from other disciplines can also apply when their research demonstrates a strong connection to the fellowship’s focus.

AWC Predoctoral Fellowship 2027–28

The Predoctoral Fellowship is designed for doctoral students who have progressed sufficiently through their Ph.D. program to be conducting dissertation research.

According to the current AWC eligibility requirements, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program
• Have passed their comprehensive, preliminary, or qualifying examinations
• Have advanced to the doctoral candidacy/dissertation-writing stage
• Have research interests connected to American grand strategy and foreign policy, broadly defined
• Be prepared to pursue substantial independent research and writing during the fellowship

The program particularly encourages doctoral researchers in history and political science, although candidates from other disciplines are welcome.

What does “doctoral candidacy” mean?

This is important for applicants.

The fellowship is not designed for someone who has only recently started a Ph.D.

The applicant must have progressed beyond the major qualifying/comprehensive examination stage and entered the dissertation phase.

In practical terms, a person who is still completing the early coursework stage of a Ph.D. would generally not meet the stated requirement.

AWC Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027–28

The Postdoctoral Fellowship is intended for researchers who have completed their doctoral degree or will have completed it by the required date.

For the current 2027–28 cycle, the official Johns Hopkins information states that applicants must have a completed Ph.D. by August 1, 2027, in a related field such as:

• Political science
• Public policy
• History
• Or another relevant discipline

Applicants from other disciplines can also be considered when their research is closely connected to American grand strategy and foreign policy. Kissinger Institute

This means the postdoctoral fellowship is intended for scholars who are moving from doctoral study into the next stage of an academic or policy research career.

What Will AWC Fellows Do?

The fellowship is primarily a research and writing opportunity.

Successful fellows will spend a substantial portion of their fellowship working on their own research projects.

This could include:

• Developing dissertation research
• Turning dissertation research into publications
• Conducting archival or policy research
• Writing scholarly articles
• Developing a book project
• Advancing an existing research agenda
• Engaging with scholars working in related fields
• Contributing to discussions about American strategy and foreign policy

However, fellows are not expected to work entirely in isolation.

They must also take an active role in the academic and intellectual activities of their host institution.

The AWC therefore combines independent research with academic participation and engagement.

Research and Academic Environment

One of the major advantages of the fellowship is the opportunity to conduct research within a major U.S. university.

Fellows can take advantage of resources available through their host institution, including:

• University libraries
• Research facilities
• Academic events
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Scholarly networks
• Faculty expertise
• Research communities
• Policy-oriented programming
• Intellectual exchanges with other scholars

At Johns Hopkins SAIS, for example, AWC fellows participate in the intellectual life of the Kissinger Center and have access to university facilities.

At the Clements Center, fellows have access to UT facilities and office space at the center.

Fellowship Funding and Financial Support

The AWC fellowship offers a competitive stipend.

This is particularly important because the fellowship is intended to support scholars while they dedicate significant time to research.

In addition to the stipend, the fellowship provides access to institutional resources and facilities.

Depending on the host institution, fellows can receive resources such as:

• Competitive financial stipend
• University library access
• Campus facilities
• Research resources
• Workspace or office facilities
• Academic programming
• Scholarly networks

The specific financial amount and detailed benefits can depend on the fellowship and host institution, so applicants should carefully review the official application information before applying.

Importantly, applicants should not assume that the fellowship automatically provides accommodation or covers every living expense simply because it provides a stipend. The official information supplied for this AWC cycle describes the funding as a competitive stipend rather than explicitly promising free accommodation.

Why the Fellowship Is Significant for Academic Researchers

The AWC fellowship can provide researchers with an opportunity to spend an entire academic year in an environment specifically focused on strategic and international affairs.

For an early-career scholar, this can be valuable for several reasons.

1. Dedicated research time

Researchers can devote substantial time to their own research and writing rather than balancing research with a full teaching or administrative workload.

2. Access to major academic institutions

Fellows can use resources available at leading American universities.

3. Policy-oriented scholarship

The AWC places particular emphasis on scholarship that can contribute to policy discussions.

4. Interdisciplinary interaction

The consortium accepts scholars from multiple disciplines, allowing researchers to engage with perspectives outside their primary academic field.

5. Professional academic development

Participation in seminars, programs, research communities, and intellectual activities can help researchers develop their academic networks.

6. Exposure to policy communities

The consortium’s broader mission is explicitly connected to understanding America’s role in the world and preparing scholars to engage with geopolitical and policy challenges.

Academic Disciplines That May Be a Strong Fit

Although the AWC accepts applications from all disciplines when the research directly bears on American grand strategy, some fields are specifically identified as receiving preference.

These include:

• History
• Political science
• Public policy
• Classics
• Political philosophy

Other potentially relevant areas may include international relations, diplomatic history, security studies, strategic studies, international political economy, and related fields, provided that the proposed research has a clear connection to the AWC’s research priorities.

The key issue is therefore not simply the applicant’s degree title.

The research itself needs to demonstrate a meaningful connection to American grand strategy and foreign policy.

What Does “American Grand Strategy” Mean in This Context?

Applicants should understand that the AWC uses the concept of American grand strategy broadly.

A research project could potentially examine questions involving:

• U.S. foreign policy
• American diplomatic strategy
• International security
• National security
• Great-power relations
• America’s role in global institutions
• International order
• U.S. relations with other countries
• Strategic decision-making
• Diplomacy
• War and peace
• International political institutions
• Historical development of U.S. strategy
• American approaches to emerging geopolitical challenges

The important consideration is whether the research contributes meaningfully to understanding America’s role in the international system.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare a strong academic application demonstrating both research ability and alignment with the AWC.

For the current fellowship cycle, the listed application materials include:

1. Cover Letter

The cover letter should explain the applicant’s interest in the fellowship and demonstrate how their research fits within the objectives of the AWC.

2. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants should provide an up-to-date academic CV showing their:

• Education
• Research experience
• Publications
• Presentations
• Academic appointments
• Awards
• Fellowships
• Relevant professional experience

3. Graduate School Transcript

Predoctoral applicants should provide their graduate academic transcript.

4. References

Applicants must provide three references who can provide recommendation letters upon request.

Applicants should therefore identify referees who can speak meaningfully about their:

• Research ability
• Academic preparation
• Writing
• Dissertation work
• Scholarly potential
• Fit for the fellowship

5. Academic Writing Sample

Applicants must submit an article or writing sample demonstrating an existing contribution to the field of American grand strategy, broadly defined.

This is particularly important because the fellowship is fundamentally a research fellowship.

The writing sample should therefore demonstrate the applicant’s ability to conduct rigorous research, construct an argument, engage with relevant literature, and communicate scholarly findings effectively.

How to Prepare a Competitive Application

Applicants should avoid treating the AWC application as a generic academic fellowship application.

The strongest applications should establish a clear connection between the candidate’s research and the consortium’s mission.

Step 1: Clearly define your research question

Explain exactly what your research investigates.

Avoid describing your topic only in broad terms.

Step 2: Explain the connection to American grand strategy

Even if the research is historical, political, economic, diplomatic, or philosophical, explain how it contributes to understanding America’s role in the world.

Step 3: Demonstrate policy relevance

The consortium specifically values research with a strong connection to policy.

Explain why the research matters beyond the academic literature.

Step 4: Choose a strong writing sample

Your writing sample should demonstrate your research quality and ability to make a persuasive scholarly argument.

Step 5: Select appropriate referees

Choose academics who know your research well and can provide substantive recommendations.

Step 6: Explain why the host environment matters

Your application should show that you understand the academic environment you are applying to and how the fellowship would help you advance your research.

Diversity and Inclusion

The AWC describes its research community as intellectually diverse and supports fellows across a variety of academic disciplines.

The fellowship information also states that applications from women and minority candidates are especially encouraged.

This should not be interpreted as restricting eligibility to a particular race, ethnicity, nationality, or geographic region.

The key eligibility requirements concern the applicant’s academic stage, research area, and qualifications.

Fellowship Location and Residence

The fellowship requires fellows to be in residence at their host institution.

This means the opportunity is not simply a remote research grant.

Successful candidates are expected to live and work within the academic environment of their host institution during the fellowship period.

The current Johns Hopkins information specifically states that successful AWC fellows are expected to be in residence and that the fellowship begins in August 2027.

Possible host environments include:

• Duke University in Durham, North Carolina
• Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington, D.C.
• University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas

The exact host placement and institutional arrangements should be confirmed through the application process.

Important Dates

Application Opening

October 1, 2026

Application Deadline

Tuesday, December 1, 2026

Fellowship Start

August 2027

Applicants should not wait until the final day to begin preparing their materials, particularly because obtaining transcripts, writing samples, CVs, and recommendation letters can take time.

The official AWC information confirms December 1, 2026 as the deadline for both the 2027–28 Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships.

How to Apply

There are separate application portals for the two fellowship categories.

AWC Predoctoral Fellowship

APPLY HERE

AWC Postdoctoral Fellowship

APPLY HERE

Applicants should select the fellowship corresponding to their academic stage and carefully review all application instructions before submitting.

Important Things Applicants Should Understand

The AWC fellowship is not a general postgraduate scholarship.

It is specifically a research fellowship for scholars already engaged in advanced doctoral or postdoctoral-level academic work.

Someone who is:

• An undergraduate student
• A bachelor’s degree holder
• A master’s student
• A professional with no Ph.D. research
• A nurse looking for a master’s degree
• Someone looking for general financial aid for graduate school

would generally not be the intended applicant for this particular opportunity.

The program is designed for advanced scholars whose research fits the AWC’s focus.

Read more about this opportunity HERE

Why Researchers Should Consider the AWC Fellowship

For qualified scholars, the AWC fellowship combines several valuable components:

• Financial support through a competitive stipend
• Dedicated time for research and writing
• Residence at a major U.S. university
• Access to university facilities
• Access to academic resources
• Engagement with scholars and policy-oriented research communities
• Opportunities to participate in institutional programming
• Exposure to research concerning American grand strategy and foreign policy
• An opportunity to develop an academic and policy-oriented professional network

The fellowship’s emphasis on both scholarship and policy makes it particularly relevant to researchers who want their academic work to contribute to wider discussions about international affairs.

Final Thoughts

The AWC Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027–28 represent a significant research opportunity for advanced scholars working on questions related to American grand strategy, U.S. foreign policy, international affairs, national security, diplomacy, and global strategy.

The program is particularly suitable for Ph.D. candidates who have completed their qualifying examinations and entered the dissertation stage, as well as researchers who will hold a completed Ph.D. by the required date for the postdoctoral fellowship.

Successful fellows receive a competitive stipend, access to university facilities and research resources, and the opportunity to become part of an intellectually engaged academic environment at a major U.S. institution.

However, prospective applicants should carefully assess their academic stage before applying. This is an advanced research fellowship, not a master’s scholarship or general graduate funding program.

With applications opening on October 1, 2026, and the final deadline set for Tuesday, December 1, 2026, eligible scholars should begin preparing their CV, transcript, writing sample, cover letter, and references well before the deadline.

Discover more global Fellowship opportunities on OFY HERE