Wilson Center Research Fellowship 2027–2028 in USA

The Wilson Center Research Fellowship is the organisation's flagship research fellowship programme, bringing together experienced scholars and practitioners whose work connects research with contemporary public-policy questions.

For the 2027–2028 cycle, the Wilson Center expects to award approximately 10–20 fellowships. Research projects must be nonpartisan, policy-relevant and aligned with at least one of the Center's four scholarship pillars: strategic competition, economic statecraft, technology and innovation, or regional studies.

The fellowship runs for 12 months, from 1 June 2027 to 30 May 2028. Fellows will work remotely rather than relocate to Washington for the full year. However, they are expected to travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the fellowship, with travel and lodging arranged by the Wilson Center.

The principal focus is the fellow's independent research project. Fellows must complete the project proposed in their application, participate in Work in Progress presentations and contribute to the wider Wilson Center community. Depending on the project, engagement may include policy briefings, roundtables, seminars, workshops, reports, opinion pieces or other research communication.

This is designed for established researchers and professionals rather than students beginning their academic careers. Academic applicants face specific postdoctoral and publication requirements, while applicants from policy, government, nonprofit and other professional backgrounds are expected to demonstrate an equivalent level of professional achievement.

• Scholars, policy practitioners, journalists and public intellectuals with proposals addressing global public-policy issues may apply.
• Academic applicants must hold the required advanced academic qualification; the official FAQ states that academic applicants must have a doctorate or JD.
• Academic applicants applying through the PhD route must have a PhD in hand and must have published either a book/monograph beyond the dissertation or a substantial body of qualifying peer-reviewed research.
• Applicants relying on journal articles or book chapters instead of a book are expected to have at least five qualifying published works; forthcoming, accepted or under-review publications do not count towards that threshold.
• Applicants from government, policy or the nonprofit sector must demonstrate professional distinction and experience equivalent to advanced academic standing. The Wilson Center states that this is typically at least 10 years of relevant experience together with substantial policy impact, publication or leadership.
• Applicants must be proficient in English.
• There is no general citizenship limitation for the fellowship.
• Applicants who currently live in the United States must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents at the time of application.
• Applicants outside the United States who need to travel to Washington must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain the appropriate visa. The Wilson Center states that it cannot sponsor J-1 visas.
• No institutional affiliation is required. Retired applicants may also apply if they otherwise meet the criteria.
• Applicants awarded a Wilson Center International Competition Fellowship or Research Fellowship within the previous five years are not eligible to reapply for this Research Fellowship.
• Proposed projects must be nonpartisan and align with at least one Wilson Center scholarship pillar.
• Applicants must apply as individual investigators rather than as collaborative applicants.
• The proposed project must represent new research and cannot simply involve rewriting or completing a doctoral dissertation.

• US$10,000 monthly stipend throughout the 12-month fellowship.
• Primarily remote fellowship arrangement.
• Travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the programme arranged by the Wilson Center.
• Lodging for the required Washington visits arranged by the Wilson Center.
• Opportunities to interact with policymakers and other researchers.
• Guidance on translating academic research into policy-relevant outputs.
• Opportunities to produce reports, op-eds and other written or audio-visual research outputs.
• Participation in Wilson Center presentations, discussions and wider research activities.
• The Center intends to provide part-time research assistants during the autumn and spring semesters, subject to funding and an appropriate project match.

A complete application requires:

• Fellowship Application Form completed through Interfolio.
• Current CV of no more than 3 pages, using 12-point font.
• Research project proposal of no more than 5 pages, using 12-point font.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Information about educational background and professional experience.
• Proposed research-project title.
• Information explaining how you plan to engage with the Wilson Center community.
• Disclosure of other positions or affiliations you expect to maintain during the fellowship.
• Relevant conflict-of-interest disclosures where applicable.

The proposal should explain areas such as the topic and its importance, original contribution, methodology, current status of the research, institutional fit, alignment with Wilson Center scholarship areas, policy relevance and relevant bibliography.

Official selection considers:

• Significance, importance and originality of the proposed research.
• Relevance of the research to contemporary policy questions and policymakers.
• Quality, organisation, clarity and appropriate scope of the proposal.
• Applicant's capabilities, achievements and ability to complete the proposed research.
• Potential to contribute actively to the Wilson Center's priorities and mission.
• Ability to make specialist research accessible to policymakers and wider audiences.
• Alignment with at least one Wilson Center scholarship pillar.
• Evidence that the project represents fresh research rather than simply extending previous work.

Applications meeting the eligibility criteria undergo a multi-stage review involving Wilson Center experts and external specialists. Final federally funded fellowship decisions require approval by the relevant Wilson Center Board committee and remain subject to available funding.

WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY?

• Conduct a substantial independent research project over a full 12-month period.
• Connect research with contemporary international and public-policy issues.
• Engage with researchers, policymakers and the wider Washington policy community.
• Develop experience translating specialist research into accessible policy-focused outputs.
• Work remotely while participating in two structured Washington, D.C. visits.
• Receive a substantial monthly stipend while completing the fellowship research.
• Contribute to publications, briefings, discussions and other Wilson Center research activities.