The Stanford McCoy Family Center General Ethics and Interdisciplinary Ethics Fellowships 2027-2028 are postdoctoral research opportunities offered by Stanford University’s McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society in the United States.
The fellowships support early-career researchers whose work examines ethical questions affecting society, public policy, and contemporary life. Successful applicants will join Stanford’s academic community, participate in research activities and contribute to discussions on important ethical and social issues.
Overview of the Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships 2027–2028
The centre offers two fellowship opportunities: the General Ethics Fellowship and the Interdisciplinary Ethics Fellowship. The General Ethics Fellowship supports researchers whose work focuses on normative questions in Philosophy or Political Science. The Interdisciplinary Ethics Fellowship encourages research that connects ethical scholarship with other fields, including social sciences, law, engineering and life sciences.
For the 2027-2028 fellowship year, the centre is particularly interested in research involving environmental ethics, global justice, artificial intelligence ethics, political polarisation, civic education and empirically grounded approaches to contemporary social challenges.
| Details | Information |
| Host Institution | Stanford University |
| Research Centre | McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society |
| Location | Stanford, California, United States |
| Fellowship Year | 2027-2028 |
| Duration | 1 year, renewable for a second year |
| Number of Fellows | Up to 4 across both programmes |
| Expected Annual Salary | $82,400 |
| Eligible Applicants | Qualified PhD holders in Philosophy, Political Science, or certain areas of Law |
| Application Deadline | December 7, 2026 |
| Application Method | Interfolio |
Benefits of the Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships
- Expected annual salary of $82,400.
- One-year postdoctoral fellowship appointment.
- Possibility of renewal for a second year.
- Opportunity to conduct research at Stanford University.
- Access to the McCoy Family Center’s academic and research community.
- Opportunities to attend weekly workshops and academic events.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities to teach one class per year.
- Opportunities to interact with undergraduate students.
- Opportunity to collaborate with researchers across different academic disciplines.
Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD in Philosophy or Political Science.
- Have substantial normative research experience.
- Have completed all PhD requirements by June 30, 2027.
- Be no more than three years from the awarding of their degree at the start of the fellowship in September 2027.
- Demonstrate research interests relevant to ethics and contemporary social issues.
Applicants with a PhD in Law may also be considered if their research focuses on the ethical dimensions of public policy or law. Meanwhile, applicants should prepare a cover letter, CV, writing sample, three recommendation letters, a one-page research statement, and a list of classes they have taught or are prepared to teach.
How to Apply for the Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Stanford McCoy Family Center fellowship application webpage.
- Review the requirements for the General Ethics and Interdisciplinary Ethics Fellowships.
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your academic background and interest in the programme.
- Prepare an updated curriculum vitae.
- Submit a writing sample of no more than 25 double-spaced pages.
- Prepare a one-page research statement.
- Provide a list of courses you have taught or are prepared to teach.
- Arrange three recommendation letters.
- Complete the online application through Interfolio.
- Submit all required documents before the application deadline.
All applicants are considered for both fellowship types and do not need to tailor their applications to one specific fellowship.
Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Stanford McCoy Family Center General Ethics and Interdisciplinary Ethics Fellowships 2027–2028 is December 7, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Going further, the fellowship is scheduled to run from September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2028, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
For application instructions and further information, visit the official Stanford website:
Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowships Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Stanford McCoy Ethics Fellowship worth?
The expected annual salary for the fellowship is $82,400.
How many fellowship positions are available?
The centre intends to appoint up to four postdoctoral fellows across the General Ethics and Interdisciplinary Ethics programmes.
Can Law graduates apply?
Applicants with a PhD in Law may be considered if their research focuses on ethical dimensions of public policy or law.
Do applicants need to apply separately for both fellowship types?
All applicants are considered for both types of fellowships and do not need to prepare separate applications.
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