Jefferson Scholars Foundation National Fellowship 2027 (Fully Funded) | PhD Fellowship in the USA
Overview
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation National Fellowship is a selective, high-prestige opportunity for PhD candidates whose dissertation research addresses major questions in American politics, public policy, foreign policy, and global affairs. It is hosted in partnership with the University of Virginia and is designed to help fellows complete dissertation work, prepare it for publication, and expand their academic networks.
Degree Level
- Doctoral level only (PhD candidates)
- This is not a postdoctoral fellowship
Research Focus and Fields
The fellowship supports interdisciplinary work, including (but not limited to): History, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Political Economy, Sociology, Communications & Media Studies, International Relations, American Politics, Foreign Policy, and America and the World. Research must engage policy-relevant questions and contemporary U.S. or global political issues.
Funding and Benefits
The fellowship provides extensive academic and professional support, including:
- Dedicated research funding for scholarly network activities
- Covered expenses for workshops, conferences, reading groups, symposia, and manuscript development sessions
- Mentorship from senior scholars in the fellow’s research area
- Required on-campus residential visits (up to two weeks)
- Participation in a fall dissertation development conference and a spring research workshop with junior and senior scholars
- A university press editor workshop to support publication outcomes
- Access to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s interdisciplinary academic community
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to all nationalities
- Non-U.S. citizens are fully eligible to apply
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a current PhD candidate
- Be close to completing the dissertation or have a clear and realistic two-year dissertation write-up plan
- Demonstrate academic excellence and strong research quality
- Show leadership potential as an emerging scholar
- Present a research agenda that adds new perspectives to policy-facing scholarship
- Be willing to join required residential visits and fellowship conferences
- Commit to building and participating in a scholarly research network
Application Materials (Online Application)
A complete application includes:
- Applicant information sheet
- Project description (up to 1,200 words)
- Research plan (up to 500 words)
- Scholarly network proposal (up to 1,200 words)
- Op-ed or blog post (up to 750 words) demonstrating public engagement
- Professional development statement (up to 500 words)
- Bibliography (maximum 3 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
- Writing sample (up to 40 pages)
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from the dissertation advisor)
Recommendation letters submission: through the application system or emailed directly to nationalfellows@jeffersonscholars.org.
Selection Timeline
- Application Deadline: 2 February
- Final Letters Deadline: 9 February
- Applications are reviewed only after all materials are received
- Deadlines may vary (the source advises checking the official website for updates)
