Please read our Frequently Asked Questions below for additional information regarding the Fellowship Program. Applicants may address additional inquiries to fellowships@wilsoncenter.org.

Fellowship Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply? 

Scholars, policy practitioners, journalists, and public intellectuals with project proposals on global issues are invited to apply. Topics and scholarship should relate to key public policy challenges at least one of the following pillars of the Wilson Center: strategic competition, economic statecraft, technology and innovation, and regional issues. Academic applicants must have a doctorate or JD. For other applicants, an equivalent level of professional achievement is expected.

I am not a U.S. citizen. May I apply?

Yes. The Wilson Center accepts applications from across the world. Applicants are required to hold a valid passport and obtain an appropriate visa for any travel to the United States for fellowship events or meetings.

I am retired and do not have an institutional affiliation.  May I apply?

Yes. You do not need an active institutional affiliation to apply. 

I have completed all requirements for my Ph.D. except for my dissertation. May I apply for a fellowship? 

No. Academics must be at the postdoctoral level and have published a book or monograph beyond the Ph.D. dissertation. Applicants outside of academia should have an equivalent level of professional achievement. 

I have a Ph.D. but have not published a book yet. Is it worth applying?

For most academic candidates, a book or monograph is required. Unless you are in a field like law where publications are usually comprised of articles or are a practitioner who is obtaining their PhD later in your career, we advise waiting to apply until you have published a book. 

Are there age limits for eligibility? 

There are no age limits for eligibility. However, all applicants should present evidence of their ability to carry out the proposed project, such as publications and other relevant experience. 

I was previously awarded a Wilson Center Competition Fellowship. May I apply again? 

The Center asks that applicants who previously completed a Wilson Center Competition Fellowship wait at least five years before applying again. Applicants must apply with a new project.

The Application and Proposals

Where can I find the online application? 

Please visit the Fellowship Application Form.

What happens if I receive an error when applying online? 

Please first contact help@interfolio.com for any technical support. You may also contact the Wilson Center at fellowships@wilsoncenter.org for additional support. 

Is the Center looking for particular topics this year? 

The Center does not have a quota for any particular topic in a given year, although it requires that all proposed projects are nonpartisan in nature. Priority is given to proposals which align with the scholarship pillars of the Wilson Center: strategic competition, economic statecraft, technology and innovation, and regional issues. It is very important to explain the relevance of your project to contemporary policy issues. Reviewers look for original, fresh research. 

Can Center staff look over my proposal before I submit it? 

No. Unfortunately, Center staff are not able to read or comment on draft proposals. It is important to maintain a fair and impartial process. The Center recommends that you show your proposal to colleagues who are knowledgeable in your field so that they may make constructive comments.

What do you mean by topics and scholarship should relate to key public policy challenges?

The Center aims to unite the world of ideas to the world of policy by supporting preeminent nonpartisan scholarship and linking that scholarship to issues of concern to officials in Washington. The Center distinguishes itself from policy institutions in its consideration of issues in a broader and more reflective manner beyond a narrow analysis of current crises and policy options. Applicants should think in terms of what they have to say to policymakers in Washington and how they can inform policy decisions through their work. 

I have received my Ph.D. and would like to come to the Center to continue working toward publication of my dissertation manuscript. Is this an eligible proposal? 

No. Your project must be a separate project from your dissertation. Your application should be new research. 

May I ask to see an example of an awarded proposal? 

No. The Center does not provide examples of awarded proposals because each application is reviewed on an individual basis according to the criteria for selection in the application guidelines.

If I am in the D.C. area, may I come in for an interview? 

No. The Center does not conduct fellowship interviews. 

You require two letters of reference. May I send additional references? 

The Center requires two letters of reference. No additional letters will be accepted.

How will I know that you have received my application online?

You will receive an email stating that you have successfully submitted your application.

How do I know the Center has received my reference letters? 

The application form will allow you to track reference letter submissions. It is up to the applicant to follow up with their referees to confirm that they have sent their letters to the Center through the online system.

I applied for a fellowship last year and did not get one. If I reapply this year with the same proposal, can I use the same letters of reference? 

No. The Center requires that your referees submit updated letters of reference with current dates to accompany your application. However, you may ask the same individual from past applications to serve as your referee.

The Selection Process and Logistics

What is the selection process?

Applications that satisfy the eligibility requirements are entered into a multistage review process involving both internal evaluations by Wilson Center experts and external evaluations by a panel of specialists with relevant experience. Final decisions about fellowship awards are contingent on the approval of the Center’s Fellowship Committee of the Board of Trustees and subject to available funding. 

When will I know if I have received a fellowship?

All selected and non-selected applicants will be notified in March 2026.

When do I start my Fellowship?

If awarded a fellowship, your tenure will begin on June 1, 2026 and end on May 30, 2027.

What are the residency requirements? 

Fellows will work remotely for the tenure of their appointment. They will be required to travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the program and may be asked to perform additional travel to support Congressional engagement. Travel and lodging will be arranged by the Wilson Center.

Does the Center pay for fellows’ travel?

The Center will arrange for travel to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the program. The Center will not pay for short-term research trips a fellow may wish to take during their tenure.

How are stipends awarded?

Money for stipends comes from allocated federal funds. The Center offers a stipend of $10,000 a month for the duration of the twelve-month fellowship. Fellows will receive their stipends on a monthly basis.

Does the Center offer health insurance?

No. Fellows are responsible for their own health insurance.

Will I be offered research assistance as a fellow?

At this time, the Center is unable to provide research assistants to support fellows.

What kind of access does the Center have to the Library of Congress?

The Wilson Center enjoys generous loan privileges with the Library of Congress. Fellows may request material as needed from the general collections and keep it for up to six weeks. The Center also provides access to university and special libraries in the area, and other research facilities.