Notre Dame Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in USA
The Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame is accepting applications for its 2027–28 Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship. The fellowship is designed for recently completed PhD researchers whose work focuses on democracy from an international or comparative perspective.
Selected fellows will receive an annual stipend of $75,000, along with research support, medical insurance, and up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses. The fellowship is residential and provides researchers with an opportunity to work within an international academic community at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Details
- Host Institution: University of Notre Dame
- Institute: Kellogg Institute for International Studies
- Fellowship: Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship
- Location: Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Fellowship Period: 2027–28 academic year
- Annual Stipend: $75,000
- Relocation Support: Up to $2,000
- Research Support: Available
- Medical Insurance: Provided
- Eligible Applicants: Researchers from all countries
- Degree Required: PhD or equivalent
- PhD Completion Requirement: Degree must have been awarded no more than three years before the fellowship begins
- Research Focus: International or comparative studies of democracy
- Application Platform: Interfolio
- Application Opens: August 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
- Recommendation Letter Deadline: October 7, 2026
- Residency: Required
- Visa for International Fellows: J-1 visa
Degree Level
- Fellowship
Available Subjects
The Kellogg Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship is intended for early-career scholars conducting research related to global democracy. Fellows become part of the Kellogg Institute's academic community and receive dedicated time to develop their research.
The program is particularly suitable for researchers whose projects examine democracy across countries or regions rather than focusing exclusively on a domestic issue.
The fellowship may be especially valuable for researchers working on topics such as:
- Democratic institutions
- Elections and electoral systems
- Political participation
- Authoritarianism
- Democratic backsliding
- Civil society
- Political behavior
- Governance
- Comparative politics
- International democracy
- Other research questions related to the development and condition of democracy globally
Benefits
The University of Notre Dame provides a strong financial package to successful fellows.
Benefits include:
- $75,000 annual stipend
- Up to $2,000 for approved relocation expenses
- Research funding
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Dedicated time for research
- Access to Kellogg Institute faculty and scholars
- Participation in seminars, lectures and academic activities
- Opportunity to develop research for publication
- Potential continuation for a second academic year
The fellowship initially covers one academic year. A second-year appointment may be possible depending on the fellow's interest and satisfactory performance.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
The fellowship provides substantial financial support, including:
- $75,000 annual stipend
- Research funding
- Medical insurance
- Up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses
However, applicants should review the official fellowship terms carefully to understand which expenses are covered and which costs they may need to pay themselves.
Is the Fellowship Remote?
No. The Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship is residential.
Successful fellows are expected to remain in residence at the Kellogg Institute during the fellowship. Extended absences are generally discouraged unless approved by the Institute Director.
Fellows are also expected to participate actively in the Institute's academic activities.
These activities may include:
- Weekly seminars
- Lectures
- Kellogg Institute events
- Academic discussions
- Research presentations
- Collaboration with scholars
- Developing research for publication
First-year fellows may have access to furnished on-campus apartments, subject to availability.
Eligible Nationalities
Researchers from any country can apply for the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship.
International applicants should be prepared to meet additional requirements, including:
- Valid passport
- Advanced English proficiency
- Eligibility for a J-1 visa
- Compliance with applicable U.S. immigration requirements
Applicants who previously participated in certain J-1 categories in the United States should also carefully check whether any applicable restrictions affect their eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is aimed at newly graduated PhD researchers whose work has a clear connection to global democracy.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree.
- The PhD must have been awarded no more than three years before the fellowship begins.
- Have a research project related to democracy in an international or comparative context.
- Applicants from social science disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Researchers from other disciplines may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
- Applicants can be from any country.
- Graduates of University of Notre Dame PhD programs are not eligible.
- International applicants must meet the relevant requirements for obtaining a J-1 visa.
- International fellows must have advanced English proficiency.
Who Is a Strong Candidate?
A strong applicant should have more than a general interest in democracy. Their proposed research should clearly address an important question related to democracy and explain how the Kellogg Institute's academic environment would contribute to the project.
For example, a competitive research proposal might examine:
- Why democratic institutions weaken in certain countries
- How elections affect democratic stability
- Political participation across different countries
- The relationship between civil society and democracy
- Democratic resilience in developing countries
- Comparative patterns of authoritarianism
- Political behavior in emerging democracies
- International factors contributing to democratic backsliding
The research proposal should demonstrate a clear research question, methodology, expected contribution and realistic plan for the fellowship period.
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants must submit a complete application through Interfolio.
The application includes:
- Visiting Fellowship Application Form
- Institutional Required Information Form
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- 6–10 page double-spaced research project statement
- Research project abstract of up to 150 words
- Short biography of 200–300 words
- Writing sample of up to 30 pages
- Three confidential recommendation letters
The writing sample can include a dissertation chapter, unpublished academic paper or forthcoming article.
Research Proposal Requirements
The research statement is one of the most important components of the application.
Applicants should use the 6–10 page research statement to clearly explain:
- What they plan to study
- The main research question
- Why the research is important
- How the project relates to global democracy
- The methodology or evidence they will use
- What they expect to accomplish during the fellowship
- How the Kellogg Institute environment will contribute to the project
- How the research could contribute to future publications
A strong proposal should be specific and realistic. Simply stating that the fellowship will provide an opportunity to "expand research" is not enough.
Recommendation Letters
Applicants need three confidential recommendation letters.
There is a separate deadline for recommendation letters. While the main application must be submitted by October 1, 2026, recommendation letters can arrive until October 7, 2026.
Applicants should contact their referees well before the deadline to make sure all three letters are submitted on time.
Notre Dame Kellogg Fellowship 2027 Deadline
The application period for the 2027–28 Kellogg Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship runs from August 1 through October 1, 2026.
Important dates are:
- Applications Open: August 1, 2026
- Main Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
- Recommendation Letter Deadline: October 7, 2026
Applicants should not wait until the final days to prepare their research proposal and request recommendation letters.
How to Apply for the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027
Interested researchers should prepare their academic documents, research proposal, writing sample and recommendation letters before submitting the application through Interfolio.
The most important part of the application is demonstrating that your proposed research has a clear and substantial connection to global democracy and fits the intellectual mission of the Kellogg Institute.
Application Deadline: October 1, 2026
