United States Institute of Peace (USIP)

Peace Scholar Fellowship 2025-2026

Request for Applications

USIP seeks applications from 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.

Peace Scholar Fellowship Details

Up to 18 Peace Scholars will be funded for 10-month non-residential fellowships. Peace Scholars receive stipends of up to $20,000 for the academic year, paid directly to the individual in three tranches. Peace Scholar awards may not be deferred.

Peace Scholars are required to participate in-person in a September 2025 workshop in Washington, DC. When their dissertation is completed and approved by their committee, the Peace Scholar is also required to submit a copy to PeaceScholarFellows@usip.org.

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.

*See the USIP FY25 Congressional Budget Justification for more information on the above topics.

Application Requirements

Applications will be selected based on the strength of the proposed research and its potential to make original contributions to the field. Applications that do not address a topic listed above or draw a clear connection to either the USIP or Minerva mission will not be considered.

Application Process

Applicants must prepare and submit an online application. USIP will not provide status updates on submitted applications.

Important Dates

Application opens:          Friday September 13, 2024

Application deadline:     Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 4 PM EDT

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Once an application has been submitted and accepted for review, it undergoes a series of rigorous reviews by experts in the peace and security fields. Finalists are reviewed by the USIP Board of Directors, who make the final decision on awards. All applicants will be notified of the competition outcome in Spring 2025.  

For more information, see the Peace Scholar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please direct application questions to PeaceScholarFellows@usip.org.

See job description