Role Description
The Wilson Center invites scholars, practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals to apply for its flagship Research Fellowship competition. Research Fellows conduct research and write in their areas of interest, while interacting with policymakers in Washington D.C. and with other Wilson Center fellows and staff. The Center accepts policy-relevant, nonpartisan fellowship proposals that address key challenges confronting the United States and the world.
The focus of each fellow’s tenure will be their research project, which must meet the following criteria:
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Projects must be nonpartisan in nature.
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Projects must focus on at least one of the following scholarship pillars of the Wilson Center:
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strategic competition
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economic statecraft
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technology and innovation
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regional scholarship
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Primary project outputs may include:
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a book manuscript
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a series of long-form articles
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a briefing roundtable series for policymakers
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Primary project outputs may not include:
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rewriting or completion of doctoral dissertations
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projects in the visual arts, dance, or musical composition
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editing of texts, papers, and documents
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preparations of textbooks, anthologies, translations, or memoirs
In addition to their research project, fellows will be expected to actively contribute to the goals and mission of the Wilson Center during their tenure. The Center will work with all fellows to share their expertise with the Washington policy community, which may include:
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deep background briefings for federal agencies
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informal roundtable discussions with members of Congress and their staffs
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formal presentations to the public such as colloquiums, seminars, workshops, or other meetings
Fellows will also be encouraged to produce policy reports, op-eds, and other short written products during their tenure and engage with the broader Washington community of scholars working on similar topics. The Center will provide guidance for all fellows on translating academic research into policy-relevant content.
Fellows will work remotely during their tenure with the Wilson Center, which includes a trip to Washington D.C. at the start and end of the fellowship, paid for by the Wilson Center. The fellowship will commence on June 1, 2027, and end on May 30, 2028. The Center offers a stipend of $10,000 per month for a twelve-month fellowship.
Qualifications
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Applicants from academia must have a PhD and have published a book or monograph beyond the PhD dissertation, or a substantial body of research articles (typically five or more) in reputable peer-reviewed journals.
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Applicants from government, policy, or the nonprofit sector must have achieved a level of professional distinction and experience equivalent to advanced academic standing, typically at least 10 years of relevant experience and a record of substantial policy impact, publication, or leadership in their field.
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Applicants must be proficient in English, as the Center is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas among its fellows and provide educational opportunities to Congress.
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Applicants must be able to attend a fellowship kick-off meeting in June 2027 and a fellowship conclusion meeting in May 2028, both held at the Wilson Center in Washington D.C.
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If resident in the United States, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as the Wilson Center is not able to sponsor J-1 visas. If the applicant intends to reside outside of the United States during the fellowship duration, they must hold a valid passport and be able to obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States.
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No institutional affiliation is required to apply. Fellows may take leave from their current positions or maintain additional affiliations during their Wilson Center Research Fellowship.
