Overview
Host Institution: University of Notre Dame
Institute: Kellogg Institute for International Studies
Description
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
Additional Information
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.
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.
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
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Can international researchers apply for the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship? Yes. Applicants from any country can apply, provided they meet the fellowship's academic and other eligibility requirements.
How much does the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship pay? Selected fellows receive an annual stipend of $75,000, along with research support, medical insurance and up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses.
What PhD fields are eligible? Social science researchers are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants from other disciplines may also be considered when their research has a strong connection to the Institute's focus on global democracy.
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Card
Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
University of Notre Dame USA
Degree
Fellowship, Post Doctorate
Subjects
Democracy
Nationality
International Students
Country
USA
Source
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