Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship 2027-28: $75,000 Stipend at Notre Dame

The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship 2027-28 offers newly minted PhDs an opportunity to conduct research on global democracy at the University of Notre Dame. Fellows receive a $75,000 annual stipend, research support, medical insurance and potential relocation assistance. Applications are open from August 1 to October 1, 2026.

Background & Fellowship Description

The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship is designed for newly minted PhDs conducting international research on themes related to global democracy.

Based at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, the fellowship provides scholars with dedicated time and resources to advance their own research agendas while becoming part of the Institute’s Visiting Fellows community.

Postdoctoral Fellows have opportunities to engage in scholarly development and collaborate with faculty members, scholars and practitioners from the United States and other countries.

The fellowship is particularly suited to researchers whose work examines democracy from an international or comparative perspective.

For the 2027-28 academic year competition, applications are scheduled to open on August 1, 2026, with the main application deadline on October 1, 2026.

Fellowship Benefits

The Kellogg Institute provides a competitive compensation and support package for successful Postdoctoral Visiting Fellows.

The fellowship includes:

$75,000 annual stipend
Up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses
Generous research support
Comprehensive medical insurance benefits
Academic-year appointments
Possibility of appointments of up to two years, depending on interest and satisfactory performance

The combination of financial support, research resources and an academic appointment gives fellows dedicated time to develop their research while participating in the Institute’s intellectual community.

The source information does not specify the exact value or structure of the research support, so applicants should consult the Institute directly if they require detailed information about available research funds.

Who Is Eligible?

The fellowship invites applications from scholars conducting international research on themes related to global democracy.

Applicants may come from any country and must have earned a PhD no more than three years prior to the start of the fellowship.

There is one specific institutional restriction: graduates of University of Notre Dame PhD programs are not eligible to apply.

The most competitive candidates are expected to hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a social science discipline. In exceptional circumstances, the Institute may consider applicants with doctoral degrees in other disciplines.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate a strong connection between their research and the Institute’s focus on global democracy.

Requirements for International Applicants

International scholars can apply, but the Institute highlights several additional considerations for non-US citizens and residents.

Advanced English-language proficiency is required.

Foreign nationals must also have a valid passport and obtain a J-1 visa.

Applicants should carefully consider US immigration requirements before accepting a fellowship. The Institute also notes a specific 24-month bar affecting certain individuals who have previously spent less than five years in the United States as a J-1 professor or research scholar and do not have another appointment immediately following that stay.

This 24-month bar is distinct from the separate two-year home-residency requirement that applies to some J-1 scholars.

Because immigration circumstances can vary, prospective international applicants with previous J-1 status should review the Institute’s information and seek appropriate guidance where necessary.

Fellowship Expectations

The Kellogg Institute expects Visiting Fellows to participate actively in its scholarly community.

Residency

Fellows are expected to be in residence at Kellogg during their fellowship.

Absences lasting more than a few days are discouraged and require permission from the Institute’s Director.

Research Presentation

Each fellow is expected to give at least one presentation of their current research during their time at the Institute.

Participation

Visiting Fellows are considered an important part of the Institute’s academic community.

They are expected to attend and participate in the weekly seminar and lecture series as well as most Kellogg Institute events.

Publication

Fellows are expected to publish research results undertaken or completed during their stay.

Publications resulting from the fellowship are expected to acknowledge the support provided by the Kellogg Institute.

These expectations make the fellowship more than a financial award. Successful candidates are expected to actively contribute to the research environment while advancing their own scholarly work.

Application Requirements

Applications for the Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship are submitted online through Interfolio.

A complete application includes the Visiting Fellowship Application Form and Institutional Required Information Form (IRIF), together with several supporting documents.

Applicants must provide:

Cover Letter

The cover letter should explain the applicant’s interest in the fellowship and specify their preferred term of stay.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must submit an updated academic CV outlining their education, research experience, publications and other relevant scholarly achievements.

Research Project Statement

A 6–10 double-spaced-page research project statement is required.

This is one of the central components of the application and should clearly present the research project the applicant intends to advance during the fellowship.

Project Abstract

Applicants must provide a project abstract of no more than 150 words.

Short Biography

A short biography of 200–300 words is also required.

Writing Sample

Applicants must submit a writing sample.

The Institute indicates that this could be a dissertation chapter or an unpublished or forthcoming article.

The writing sample may be a maximum of 30 pages, excluding endnotes, bibliography and illustrations.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must arrange for three confidential letters of recommendation.

According to the information provided, the letters must be received in the Interfolio system no later than Wednesday, October 7.

Applicants should therefore contact their recommenders well before the deadline to give them sufficient time to prepare and submit their letters.

Application Timeline for 2027-28

The competition for the 2027-28 academic year follows this schedule:

Application Stage	Date
Applications open	August 1, 2026
Main application deadline	October 1, 2026
Recommendation letter deadline	Wednesday, October 7

Applicants should note that the recommendation-letter deadline is later than the main application deadline, but they should not wait until the last minute to request references.

Fellowship Duration

The Kellogg Institute offers academic-year appointments, with up to two years available depending on the fellow’s interest and satisfactory performance.

The initial appointment and any potential second year should therefore be considered in light of the Institute’s expectations and applicable approval processes.

The information provided does not specify a single mandatory fellowship length for every successful applicant.

Housing and Research Support

The Institute offers Visiting Fellows the possibility of leasing a furnished on-campus apartment, subject to availability, during the first year of their appointment.

If a second year is approved, fellows must find off-campus housing for that second year.

The fellowship also includes generous research support, although the supplied information does not provide a specific research-funding amount.

Applicants who need detailed information about housing availability, research funds or medical insurance should contact the Kellogg Institute.

How to Apply

Eligible researchers should prepare their application through the Kellogg Institute’s online Interfolio system.

Before submitting, applicants should make sure they have prepared all required components, including:

Visiting Fellowship Application Form
Institutional Required Information Form
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Six-to-ten-page research project statement
Project abstract of up to 150 words
Short biography of 200–300 words
Writing sample of up to 30 pages
Three confidential recommendation letters

Applicants should also ensure that their proposed research clearly relates to the fellowship’s focus on global democracy.

Why This Fellowship Could Be Valuable for Researchers

The Kellogg Institute fellowship provides an academic environment in which postdoctoral researchers can dedicate substantial time to developing their research.

The combination of a $75,000 annual stipend, research support, medical insurance, possible relocation assistance and access to an international scholarly community makes the opportunity particularly relevant to early-career researchers working on global democracy.

Beyond financial support, fellows are expected to participate in seminars, present their research, interact with scholars and contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life.

For researchers planning an academic career, these activities can provide opportunities to develop research ideas, strengthen scholarly networks and produce publications.

Important Details at a Glance

Fellowship: Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship
Competition: 2027-28
Institution: Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame
Research focus: Global democracy
Annual stipend: $75,000
Relocation support: Up to $2,000 in approved expenses
Research support: Provided
Medical insurance: Included
Appointment: Academic year; up to two years may be available
Eligibility: PhD earned no more than three years before fellowship start
International applicants: Eligible
Application system: Interfolio
Applications open: August 1, 2026
Application deadline: October 1, 2026
Recommendation deadline: October 7, 2026

Final Thoughts

The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship 2027-28 is a competitive opportunity for early-career scholars whose research addresses global democracy.

With a $75,000 annual stipend, research support, medical insurance and up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses, the fellowship provides substantial support for researchers seeking dedicated time to advance their scholarly work.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the PhD eligibility window, research focus, residency expectations and detailed application requirements. International candidates should also consider the English-language and J-1 visa requirements.

The application period runs from August 1 through October 1, 2026, while the three confidential recommendation letters must be received by October 7.

Prospective applicants should prepare their research statement, writing sample, CV and recommendation requests early to ensure that every part of the application is completed correctly.

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