The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) is accepting applications for the Fung Global Fellows Program 2027-2028. The cohort theme is “Democracy in Crisis?”, and fellows spend one academic year in residence at Princeton University. Applications close on 16 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. If your research looks at how democratic institutions hold up, bend or break, this call is aimed at you, provided you work outside the United States.
At a glance
| Deadline | 16 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Theme | Democracy in Crisis? |
| Format | One academic year in residence at Princeton University |
| Who can apply | Scholars with a PhD awarded after 1 September 2017 who are employed outside the United States |
| Stipend and benefits | Not stated on the page we reviewed. Check the official listing before you apply. |
| Cost to apply | No fee mentioned on the official page |
| Application portal | Interfolio |
Who can apply
PIIRS sets two clear conditions. You must have received your PhD after 1 September 2017, and you must be employed at an institution outside the United States. The program is built for early-career researchers, so a PhD from before that date puts you outside the call.
The 2027-2028 cohort works around one theme, “Democracy in Crisis?”. Your research should speak to it. The program page we reviewed does not list disciplines or regions, so read the full call before deciding whether your topic fits.
What you get
The fellowship is one academic year in residence at Princeton University. The page we reviewed does not state a stipend amount, housing support or other benefits, so we do not list any. Confirm them on the official listing before you plan around the fellowship.
How to apply
- Confirm your PhD date (after 1 September 2017) and your employment outside the United States.
- Read the full call on the official Princeton PIIRS pages and note the required documents.
- Prepare your materials around the “Democracy in Crisis?” theme.
- Submit through the Interfolio application portal by 16 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST.
Advice from the Impact DOTS team
- Frame your proposal around the theme. A strong project that ignores “Democracy in Crisis?” is a poor match for this cohort.
- If your work connects to governance, civic space or institutional trust in a region where impact organizations operate, say so plainly and ground it in your own published research.
- Check your PhD date early. It is a hard eligibility line.
- Ask your home institution about leave for a full academic year in residence before you apply.
- Submit a day ahead. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST, which is late evening in the Americas and already 16 November, early morning, across Africa and the Middle East.
FAQ
Can I apply if I work at a US university?
No. The program is for scholars employed outside the United States.
How long is the fellowship?
One academic year in residence at Princeton University.
Is there an application fee?
The official page we reviewed mentions no fee.
What is the theme?
“Democracy in Crisis?” is the theme of the 2027-2028 cohort.
Sources
- Fung Global Fellows Program application, Interfolio
- Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies
