CASBS Fellowship 2027–28

The Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University offers a prestigious residential fellowship for accomplished scholars and researchers working on important questions involving human behaviour, society and institutions.

CASBS brings together a multidisciplinary cohort of fellows each year, creating an environment where scholars can step away from their regular teaching and administrative responsibilities and concentrate on research, reflection and writing.

The fellowship primarily serves scholars working in the behavioural and social sciences, but applicants from other disciplines may also be considered where their research has clear human behavioural or social dimensions.

Relevant areas include anthropology, economics, geography, history, law, political science, psychology, sociology, education, linguistics, communications, humanities, biological sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and computer science.

Fellows participate in regular interdisciplinary conversations, seminars, lunches and intellectual activities with other members of the CASBS community.

The fellowship is residential. Fellows are expected to live within 15 miles of the Center and remain actively engaged with the CASBS community throughout their appointment.

The primary emphasis of the fellowship year is independent research, reflection and writing, with CASBS encouraging fellows to allow interdisciplinary interactions to influence and potentially transform their work.

The ideal CASBS Fellowship applicant:

• Holds a PhD, professional degree such as a JD or MD, equivalent foreign qualification, or has achieved an equivalent level of professional reputation.
• Is generally at least three to four years beyond the doctorate or equivalent degree.
• Is an academic faculty member or independent researcher.
• Demonstrates a high level of achievement appropriate to their career stage.
• Has a strong record of research publications.
• Communicates clearly in English.
• Is interested in regular interdisciplinary intellectual exchange.
• Is willing to remain in residence for the fellowship period without conflicting professional commitments.
• Has research relevant to behavioural or social science, or work in another field with meaningful behavioural or social dimensions.
• Is willing to contribute to and learn from a multidisciplinary cohort.

CASBS encourages applications from scholars from diverse backgrounds, institutions and countries.

• Residential research fellowship at Stanford University.
• Dedicated time for research, reflection and writing.
• Access to an interdisciplinary community of accomplished scholars.
• Regular fellowship seminars and intellectual discussions.
• Daily opportunities for interaction with other fellows.
• Access to Stanford University Libraries.
• Stanford sports facility privileges.
• Official Stanford Fellow designation.
• Library research assistance.
• Desktop and technical support.
• Administrative support.
• Dedicated workspace at CASBS.
• Housing information and relocation guidance.
• Stipend support may be available for eligible first-time fellows.
• Housing subsidy available for eligible non-local first-time fellows.
• Relocation subsidy available for eligible fellows relocating from outside the local area.

Stipend Support

CASBS may provide a stipend to supplement sabbatical or base salary support.

The stipend:

• Is based on the fellow’s salary before entering residence.
• Normally cannot exceed 50% of the fellow’s base salary.
• Is currently capped at US$83,000.
• May vary depending on available CASBS funding.
• Generally requires the fellow to secure matching or external funding.
• Is available only to first-time CASBS fellows.

Applicants earning less than US$100,000 may, under certain circumstances, receive support exceeding the standard 50% contribution limit.

Applicants must submit:

• Curriculum vitae – maximum three pages.
• Project statement – maximum three double-spaced pages.
• Two reference letters.
• Partner fellowship statement of approximately 150–250 words, where applicable.

The CV should include:

• Educational background.
• Professional experience.
• Selected important publications.
• Significant professional service.
• Major honours and awards.
• Research grants where relevant.

The project statement should address:

• The applicant’s most impactful work to date.
• Why that work was important.
• The proposed focus for the fellowship year.
• What is original about the proposed work.
• Its potential relevance to contemporary social issues.
• How the proposed work could make a difference.

Application documents must be submitted as PDF files.

The CASBS selection process considers:

• Research excellence.
• Professional and academic achievement relative to career stage.
• Strength of the applicant’s publication record.
• Quality and originality of the proposed fellowship project.
• Potential relevance of the project to contemporary social issues.
• Applicant’s capacity to benefit from interdisciplinary interaction.
• Willingness to contribute to multidisciplinary conversations.
• Ability to influence and be influenced by other fellows.
• Overall contribution to the composition of the fellowship cohort.
• Ability to commit fully to the residential fellowship.

CASBS states that excellence in research and accomplishments is necessary but alone is not sufficient for selection.

Priority in individual applicant selection is given to first-time CASBS fellows.

• Gain dedicated time to develop significant research.
• Join a highly interdisciplinary community of scholars.
• Engage with researchers from different academic disciplines.
• Access Stanford University academic resources.
• Build international academic and professional relationships.
• Participate in seminars, discussions and informal working groups.
• Develop research through interaction with other accomplished fellows.
• Step away from routine teaching and administrative responsibilities.
• Explore ambitious research ideas in a collaborative environment.
• Join a long-established fellowship community focused on behavioural and social science research.