Notre Dame’s Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 of $75,000/year Discussed

If you recently completed a PhD and your research examines democracy from an international or comparative perspective, the University of Notre Dame’s Kellogg Institute for International Studies is accepting applications for its 2027–28 Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships.

The fellowship offers an annual stipend of $75,000, research support, medical insurance and up to $2,000 toward approved relocation expenses. Appointments are initially for an academic year and may continue for a second year depending on interest and satisfactory performance.

For international researchers, the good news is straightforward: applicants may come from any country.

Who Can Apply for the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The programme is designed for newly minted PhD researchers working on themes connected with global democracy. Your doctorate must have been awarded no more than three years before the fellowship begins.

The strongest candidates will normally hold a PhD or equivalent degree in a social science discipline, although researchers from other fields may be considered in exceptional cases. There is one institutional exclusion: graduates of University of Notre Dame PhD programmes are not eligible for this fellowship.

What Kind of Research Fits “Global Democracy”?

This is not a general postdoctoral competition covering every research field. Your project should have a meaningful connection with democracy in an international context.

That could potentially include research on democratic institutions, political participation, elections, authoritarianism, democratic backsliding, civil society, political behavior, governance or other questions that help explain the condition and development of democracy globally.

The important part is not simply mentioning democracy somewhere in the proposal. Your project should clearly fit the intellectual mission of the Kellogg Institute and explain why the fellowship environment would help move the research forward.

Can International Researchers Apply?

Yes. Researchers from any country are invited to apply, but non-US citizens and residents need to consider several additional conditions. International fellows must have advanced English proficiency, possess a valid passport and obtain a J-1 visa.

There is also an immigration rule worth checking if you have previously spent time in the United States as a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar. Certain researchers completing such a stay may become subject to a 24-month bar before returning under the same J-1 categories.

That rule is separate from the better-known two-year home-residency requirement that can apply to some J-1 holders.

What Does the Kellogg Fellowship Provide?

The compensation package includes:

• $75,000 annual stipend
• Up to $2,000 in approved relocation expenses
• Research funding
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• An academic-year appointment
• Potential extension for a second year

The programme also gives fellows dedicated research time and access to Kellogg faculty, international scholars and practitioners. This is therefore more than a short research visit. Successful applicants become part of the Institute’s resident academic community.

Do You Have to Live at Notre Dame?

Yes. The fellowship is fundamentally residential. Fellows are expected to remain in residence during their appointment, and absences longer than a few days are discouraged unless approved by the Institute Director.

During the fellowship, scholars are also expected to participate in weekly seminars, lectures and other Kellogg activities, give at least one presentation of their ongoing research and work toward publication of the research developed or completed during the fellowship.

For first-year fellows, furnished on-campus apartments may be available for lease, subject to availability. Fellows approved for a second year are expected to arrange off-campus housing for that year.

What Documents Do You Need?

Applications are submitted through Interfolio and a complete application includes:

• Visiting Fellowship Application Form
• Institutional Required Information Form
• Cover letter explaining your interest and preferred period of stay
• CV
• 6–10 page double-spaced research project statement
• Project abstract of no more than 150 words
• Short biography of 200–300 words
• Writing sample of up to 30 pages
• Three confidential recommendation letters

The writing sample can be a dissertation chapter, unpublished paper or forthcoming article.

What Should a Strong Research Proposal Do?

Your 6–10 page statement is likely to be one of the most important parts of the application. It should make clear what you are studying, why the question matters for understanding global democracy, what evidence or methodology you will use, and what you expect to accomplish during the fellowship.

A proposal that simply says the fellowship will help you “expand your research” is unlikely to be persuasive.

Show what you can realistically complete during the appointment and how interaction with the Kellogg community would improve the project.

Recommendation Letters Have a Later Deadline

The main fellowship application closes on October 1, 2026. However, the three confidential recommendation letters must reach Interfolio no later than October 7, 2026. That extra time should not be treated as permission to contact your referees after submitting. Ask them early so that a missing recommendation does not undermine an otherwise complete application.

Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 Deadline

Applications for the 2027–28 Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship are open from August 1 to October 1, 2026. Recommendation letters have a separate final deadline of October 7, 2026.

Questions International Applicants Are Likely to Ask

Can researchers from outside the United States apply?
Yes. Applicants may come from any country.

How recently must I have completed my PhD?
Your doctorate must have been earned no more than three years before the fellowship begins.

Do I need a social science PhD?
Social science applicants are the strongest fit, although exceptional candidates from other disciplines may also be considered.

Is the fellowship renewable?
Appointments may continue for a second academic year depending on interest and satisfactory performance.

Can I work remotely from my home country?
No. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Kellogg Institute during their appointment.

Do international fellows receive visa support?
Foreign nationals must obtain a J-1 visa. The programme specifically identifies J-1 status as the applicable route, although applicants should assess their individual immigration circumstances carefully.

Not Sure Whether Your PhD Topic Fits “Global Democracy”?

If you are unsure about your PhD completion date, research discipline, democracy-related project, J-1 history or proposal idea, leave your question in the comments below this article. Mention your doctoral field, year of graduation and proposed research topic, and we can help you judge whether the Kellogg Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship 2027 is a realistic match for your profile.