The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships 2027-2028 offer recent PhD graduates an opportunity to spend an academic year at the University of Notre Dame developing research on global democracy. The fellowship is hosted by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies within Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.
The program brings together scholars from different countries and disciplines, providing fellows with time, research resources, and opportunities to engage with faculty, researchers, and practitioners working on issues related to democracy around the world.
About the Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships
The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships are designed for scholars who earned their PhD relatively recently and are conducting international research related to the Institute’s core theme of global democracy.
Fellows become part of the Institute’s residential scholarly community and are expected to participate in seminars, lectures, and other academic activities. They also have opportunities to present their research and interact with scholars from the United States and other countries.
The fellowship is normally awarded for one academic year, running from August through May. The Institute may offer a second year depending on the fellow’s interest, performance, and approval.
Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships Benefits
Successful applicants can receive:
- $75,000 annual stipend
- Up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses
- Up to $7,500 per year in research funds
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Access to University of Notre Dame library services and campus facilities
- Dedicated research and office facilities
- Opportunities to participate in Kellogg seminars, lectures, conferences, and scholarly events
- Possibility of a second-year appointment, subject to renewal and satisfactory performance
- Opportunity to collaborate with distinguished scholars and practitioners from the United States and abroad
- Possibility of leasing a furnished on-campus apartment during the first year, subject to availability
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship must meet the following requirements, and applicants may be from any country.
- They must have earned a PhD no more than three years before the beginning of the fellowship.
- Their research should address themes related to global democracy.
- Applicants are generally expected to hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a social science discipline. In exceptional circumstances, applicants from other disciplines may also be considered.
- Graduates of University of Notre Dame PhD programs are not eligible to apply.
- International applicants must demonstrate advanced English-language proficiency.
- Foreign nationals must have a valid passport and obtain a J-1 visa where required.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit a complete application through the Institute’s online application system. The application includes:
- Visiting Fellowship Application Form
- Institutional Required Information Form (IRIF)
- Cover letter explaining interest in the fellowship and preferred term of stay
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Research project statement of 6-10 double-spaced pages
- Project abstract of no more than 150 words
- Short biography of200-300 words
- Writing sample of up to 30 pages, excluding endnotes, bibliography, and illustrations
- Three confidential letters of recommendation
Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships 2027–2028 Application
Applications are submitted online through Interfolio.
Applicants should prepare all required documents before beginning the application and ensure that their recommendation letters are submitted through the system by the specified deadline.
For the 2027-2028 competition, applications opened on August 1, 2026, and the application deadline was October 1, 2026. The Institute also stated that recommendation letters had to be received by October 7, 2026.
Fellowship Expectations
Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellows are expected to be active members of the Institute’s scholarly community. During their fellowship, fellows are expected to:
- Remain in residence at Kellogg during their fellowship period.
- Give at least one presentation on their current research.
- Participate in weekly seminars and lecture series.
- Attend and participate in most Kellogg Institute events.
- Publish research produced or completed during their stay and acknowledge the Institute’s support in relevant publications.
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed competitively by a committee of Kellogg Institute Faculty Fellows.
The selection process considers factors including the applicant’s scholarly record and potential, the significance of the research problem, its relationship to global democracy, the quality of the research design, the originality of the project, and the amount and quality of work the applicant is expected to accomplish during the fellowship.
Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships 2027–2028 – Official Page
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship?
The fellowship is open to scholars from any country who earned their PhD no more than three years before the beginning of the fellowship and whose research relates to global democracy.
What is the value of the fellowship?
The fellowship provides an annual stipend of $75,000, together with research support, relocation assistance, and comprehensive medical insurance benefits.
How much research funding is available?
Postdoctoral Visiting Fellows can receive up to $7,500 per year in research funds.
How long does the fellowship last?
The standard postdoctoral fellowship lasts for one academic year, from August through May. A second year may be available depending on interest, performance, and renewal by the Institute.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes, the fellowship accepts applicants from any country. International applicants should have advanced English-language proficiency and, where applicable, obtain a J-1 visa.
What research areas are covered?
The fellowship focuses on international research connected to the Kellogg Institute’s central research theme of global democracy. Applicants should demonstrate a clear relationship between their proposed research and this theme.
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