Scholarship details
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars announced the application opening for the Wilson Center Fellowship Program in the USA for the fellowship year 2023-2024. The Center for Scholars is a Congressionally chartered center with a mission to provide impartial guidance and profound insights on global matters to policymakers. They play a crucial role in this endeavor by conducting thorough research, providing unbiased analysis, and contributing to independent scholarship.
The Wilson Center facilitates a 9-month residential fellowship program through a global competition. This program welcomes participation from practitioners, scholars, journalists, and public intellectuals who wish to be part of its flagship international Fellowship Program. During their time at the center, fellows engage in research and writing within their respective fields of interest. They also have the opportunity to interact with policymakers in Washington, as well as the staff and other scholars in residence at the Wilson Center.
Source: Woodrow Wilson Center
The Fellowship Program is open to policy-relevant proposals that are non-advocacy in nature, focusing on addressing critical challenges faced by both the United States and the global community. Through this program, the Wilson Center aims to foster meaningful contributions to the understanding and resolution of global issues.
Scholarship Provider: Woodrow Wilson International Center
About the Provider
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars has a two-fold mission: to connect the world of ideas with the realm of policy and to support exceptional scholarship that addresses the concerns of officials in Washington. Founded in 1968 and known as a National Memorial to President Wilson, its purpose is to honor the concerns and ideals of Woodrow Wilson by offering a scholarship and other programs.
In addition to its programs, the center also actively engages in research through various programs and hosts conferences and seminars. The Center also encourages its Fellows to participate in conferences, meetings, and seminars, fostering a broad range of constructive dialogues. The Wilson Center is deeply committed to inclusion and diversity. They actively work in modifying programs, inclusivity, equity, and policies that promote diversity.
At the Wilson Center, distinguished scholars and experts conduct research on crucial national and global issues. Following President Wilson’s vision, they foster a connection between academia and public policy, aiming to inform and address the nation’s problems and challenges. The center believes that an informed and engaged citizenry is the foundation of democracy, and the Wilson Center provides knowledge in the public interest, serving as the driving force behind this principle.
Scholarship Summary
- Applicant’s Nationality: Local and International
- Degree Level: PhD
- Number of Awards: Upto 20
- Duration: 9 months
- Scholarship Awards: $90,000
- Scholarship Country: United States
- Renewable: No
- Offered Annually: Yes
Scholarship Eligibility
- Applicants from the United States or permanent residents from any other country are encouraged to apply.
- Applicants from outside the U.S. must have a valid passport and be able to obtain a J-1 visa.
- Academic candidates must be at the post-doctoral level with published work beyond the Ph.D. dissertation.
- Practitioners or policymakers with equivalent professional achievements are welcome.
- English proficiency is required for fostering idea exchange among fellows.
It is important to check the Ineligibility Information posted at the official page of the provider. Important note for eligibility:
- No institutional affiliation is required for application.
- For most academic candidates, a book or monograph is necessary.
- Previous recipients of research awards or fellowships at the Wilson Center can still apply.
- However, prior awards’ nature and recency may be considered during the selection process by the Fellowship Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Selection Process
The candidates who have satisfied the eligibility criteria are subject to the review process for the fellowship program involving the Wilson Center Selection Committee Experts and an external evaluation by the specialist in the relevant expertise. The applicants will be evaluated based on the following:
- The proposed research’s significance, considering its importance and originality as a project
- The project’s relevance to contemporary policy issues, highlights its urgency and potential to address broader problems effectively
- The alignment of the project with the Center’s programmatic work and objectives.
- The proposal quality must be in terms of definition, organization, clarity, and scope.
- Clear hypothesis and well-structured methodology, justifying its suitability for the problem.
- Specific details on the planned use of archives, sources, and techniques.
- Evaluation of the applicant’s capabilities and achievements to execute the project successfully.
- Emphasis on unbiased conclusions and genuine importance of project outcomes.
- Assessment of the candidate’s potential to contribute to the Center’s mission by making research accessible to policymakers, aligning with the Center’s goals.
Tips: Interested students must start submitting their proposals early, conduct a review of the proposal making sure it is concise and clear.
Application Process
The application can be found in an online portal on the official website of the provider. After the application has been submitted, all applicants will be receiving an email that states the application has been submitted successfully. keep in mind that the center requires additional material to support your application. The fellowship will not conduct an interview to be fair will all candidates who are living in another country.
Required Materials
- Two letters of Recommendation
- Application form
- Current CV
- List of publications
- Project Proposal
- Bibliography
Fellowship Benefits
The Wilson Center Fellowship will award the successful applicants with Stipend awards amounting to up to $90,000 for nine months. Keep in mind that the successful fellows must have sufficient funds to cover the first month after their arrival.
The first stipend awards of the fellows will be received within two weeks of arrival.
Application Deadline
The deadline to complete and submit the application is until October 1, 2023. All application results will be released in March of the following year.
