United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Scholar Fellowship Program 2025-2026 (Funded)

USIP’s Peace Scholar Fellowship program awards non-residential fellowships to Ph.D. candidates enrolled at U.S. universities who are writing doctoral dissertations on topics related to conflict management, peacebuilding and security studies. Since 1988, the program has supported the dissertations of 427 scholars, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in research, higher education and policy making.

This program partners with the Minerva Research Initiative to support additional fellowships. Currently, the program awards up to 18 fellowships per year, and awards support both research and writing stages of work on dissertations. Applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in the field of international relations, peace and conflict studies, security studies, and other related academic disciplines, as well as diplomacy and international policymaking, are strongly encouraged.

Funding of Peace Scholar Fellowship

• USIP funds up to 18 Peace Scholars for a 10-month, non-residential fellowship. Peace Scholars receive stipends of up to $20,000 paid directly to the individual in three tranches. Peace Scholar awards may not be deferred.

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Eligibility for Peace Scholar Fellowship

• Open to doctoral candidates at U.S. universities with high-quality, policy relevant research that will deepen our understanding of conflict management, peacebuilding, and security issues.
• Applicants must have completed all required Ph.D. coursework and comprehensive exams and have an approved dissertation research proposal.
• Priority will be given to applications closely related to the USIP Issue Areas and/or research priorities of the Minerva Research Initiative.

Special consideration will be given to proposed research in the following areas:

• Reducing violence and addressing other factors, including organized crime, that destabilize communities and fuel migration from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and other regions.
• Promoting democratic transitions and counteracting violent extremism in strategic regions, including West Africa, the Sahel, and East Africa.
• De-escalating tensions in the areas of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific where deterrence mechanisms are underdeveloped, under stress, or breaking down.
• Countering the tactics used by U.S. adversaries to incite conflict and undermine U.S. influence in countries of strategic importance.

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Application

The online application includes the following sections:

• Applicant Information
• Personal Statement
• Project
• Project Details
• Attachments: Curriculum Vitae and Bibliography
• References (two: your Ph.D. advisor and one other reference)
• Certification Information

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