Visiting Researchers

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships

Since 1983, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies has offered visiting fellowships to promote interdisciplinary international research in a supportive community of scholars. In recent years, this widely respected residential program has offered space for post-doctoral students to work as peers to our Visiting Fellows. The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship offers you time to pursue scholarly development, advance your research portfolio, and develop your skills as you prepare to enter the academic job market.

As a post-doc fellow you pursue research related to the Kellogg Institute’s themes of democracy and human development, receive mentorship from Kellogg Faculty Affiliates, present your work to the Institute’s community, and engage with other scholars and practitioners from around the world. Fellows also have the opportunity to publish in Kellogg’s peer-reviewed Working Paper Series.

An Ideal Scholarly Environment

While at the Kellogg Institute, you interact with leading scholars one-on-one and through the Institute’s seminars and lectures, international conferences, roundtable discussions on world affairs, and cultural events.

The facilities at the Hesburgh Center are ideal for scholarly research. Fellows have spacious offices, on-site information technology support, personal library services through a branch of the University’s library, and use of a variety of campus facilities.

Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships include:

Stipend
Travel expenses
Medical insurance benefits
Partial housing subsidy for the Hesburgh Center Residences or other on-campus housing conveniently located adjacent to the Kellogg Institute offices

Who is Eligible?

We invite applications from scholars and practitioners who conduct international research on our themes of democracy and/or human development. Applicants may come from any country and typically fall into three groups:

Promising junior and midcareer scholars (typically postdocs and assistant or associate professors)
Distinguished senior scholars with an established record of scholarly excellence
Accomplished policy makers, journalists, and other practitioners whose knowledge and experience can link policy and scholarship

Degree Requirements

Most successful applicants will hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a social science discipline or in history.

In exceptional cases, the Institute will support applicants with a PhD or its equivalent in other disciplines.
Advanced ABD graduate students may apply, but awards are contingent on their having completed the PhD before beginning the fellowship.

Eligibility Considerations (for non-US citizens/residents)

The following should be considered when applying for a Kellogg Institute fellowship:

Advanced English language proficiency is required.
Foreign nationals must have a valid passport and be able to obtain a J-1 Visa.

Other Considerations

According to US immigration regulations, an individual who completes a period of stay of less than five years as a J-1 professor or research scholar and does not have another appointment immediately following the termination of said stay, cannot return to the US as a J-1 professor or research scholar until the individual has been outside the US for a minimum period of two years. This two-year bar is different from the two-year home residency requirement normally issued to J-1 scholars.

For program information, please contact Denise Wright, Assistant Director and Program Manager at dwright1@nd.edu

Application Process

Kellogg Institute fellowship applications are submitted through our online system in Interfolio.

You will be asked to create an account and you will need to remember your login and password in order to save and return to your application until you are ready to submit.

A complete application will consist of the following documents uploaded through the online application system, along with filling out the Visiting Fellowship Application Form and Institutional Required Information Form (IRIF):

Cover letter addressing your interest in the fellowship and specifying your preferred term of stay
Curriculum vitae
A research project statement (6–10 double-spaced pages)
Project Abstract (150 words max)
Short Bio (200-300 words)
Three names and email address for letters of recommendation

Competition for A/Y 2025-26 - Applications open August 1 - October 1, 2024

Fellowship Terms

Fellowships are offered for the academic year (August to May) or the fall (August to December) or spring semesters (January to May). Typically, postdoctoral fellowships are awarded for the entire academic year. In exceptional cases, two-year postdoctoral fellowships may be offered upon demonstrated interest by the applicant. Two-year fellowships are subject to renewal with the Kellogg Institute during the first year.

Annual Visiting Fellow Competition

The application for the academic year opens on August 1, with the deadline of October 1.

How Are Fellows Selected?

Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. A committee composed of Kellogg Institute Faculty Fellows evaluates the applications based on the following selection criteria:

What is the individual's scholarly record and potential?
What is the problem being addressed? What is its interest and importance within and beyond the researcher’s field?
How does the study relate to the research themes of the Kellogg Institute?
What is the quality of the research design, including basic hypotheses, research methodology, and the kinds of data or evidence the researcher is considering?
Is the importance and originality of this project clear to someone outside the applicant’s discipline?
How much would the researcher be able to complete during his/her time at the Institute?

Expectations

Residency

Fellows are expected to be in residence during their tenure at Kellogg. Absences of more than a few days are discouraged and require the Director’s permission.

Presentation

Fellows are expected to give at least one presentation of their current research.

Participation

Our visitors are an important part of the scholarly community at the Institute. We expect fellows to attend and participate in the weekly seminar and lecture series and most Kellogg events.

Publication

We expect fellows to publish the results of research undertaken and/or completed during their stay. We ask that such publications contain an acknowledgment of Kellogg Institute support.

Working Papers

Kellogg has its own peer-reviewed Working Paper series to which fellows must submit at least one paper for consideration, either during or shortly after their stay.