Stanford University Pre-doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applications are now open for CDDRL Pre-Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships at Stanford University. These fully funded fellowships are available for doctoral students at the dissertation write-up stage and postdoctoral scholars working in democracy studies, development, democracy promotion efficacy evaluation, and rule of law.

The fellowship provides comprehensive funding including monthly stipends and benefits, with no application fees required. Both pre-doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from any nationality are welcome to apply. The application deadline is November 30, 2026, and 2-4 positions are available for th’e 2027-2028 academic year. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Pre-doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Host Country: United States
• Host Institution: Stanford University, California
• Application Deadline: November 30, 2026
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Application Fee: No fee required
• Open to All Nationalities: Yes

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Monthly stipend comparable to Stanford Graduate Fellowships
• Annual salary based on experience
• Full tuition coverage
• Healthcare and benefits
• Dedicated office space on campus
• Access to Stanford libraries and resources
• Mentorship from faculty and research staff
• Collaborative research environment
• Support to complete dissertation

Also Check: Max Planck Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Germany (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria:

Pre-Doctoral Fellows:

• Currently enrolled in a doctoral program
• At dissertation write-up stage (post-coursework)
• Must remain enrolled through fellowship
• Able to be in-residence at Stanford

Postdoctoral Fellows:

• Ph.D. earned within 3 years of fellowship start, OR
• Plan to defend Ph.D. by July 31, 2027

Also Check: FASPE Fellowship 2027 in Europe

Jan Koum Israel Studies Fellow for 2027-28:

CDDRL invites applications for the Jan Koum Israel Studies Fellowship. This specialized fellowship is for scholars focused on modern Israel research.

Research areas include:

• Israeli politics
• Constitutionalism
• Economics and society
• Diplomacy and international affairs
• Government and institutions

Gerhard Casper Fellow in Rule of Law for 2027-28:

CDDRL invites applications for the Gerhard Casper Fellow in Rule of Law. This specialized fellowship is for scholars focused on rule of law research.

Research areas include:

• Judicial politics
• Criminal justice
• Politicization of judicial institutions
• Constitutional law
• Legal institutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Eligibility:

I’m not a Stanford student, can I still apply? 
Yes. Our fellowship program is open to applicants from outside of Stanford University.

Do you accept applications from outside of the United States? 
Yes. We accept applications from around the world.

May I apply for a fellowship if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes.

Is a visa available through the CDDRL fellowship?

Yes. International postdocs are sponsored on J-1 Research Scholar visas. Prospective postdocs in the U.S. on student visas may be appointed as postdocs for the period of their EAD card validity during their post-completion F-1 OPT. The initial 12-month F-1 OPT period may be extended an additional 24 months for postdocs who hold a degree in certain STEM (STEM extension) fields.

General Application Questions:

What is a “letter of application”? 
The letter of application is basically a cover letter to your CV. It gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself to give us a better idea of your fit within our center. (research, accomplishments, goals …etc.)

Should the research proposal be single or double spaced? 
Either will be fine.

Do transcripts need to be translated into English?

Yes. All application documents must be in English.

I attend a university that does not issue transcripts to doctoral students. What should I do?

We will require a certificate from the school stating that you are a doctoral candidate.  A list of the courses which you have completed would be helpful, as well as a degree or transcript from your masters program.  Send to [email protected].

Also Check: MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship Program in France

Important Dates:

• Applications Open: September 21, 2026
• Applications Close: November 30, 2026
• Notifications: Late February 2027
• Fellowship Period: September 2027 – June 2028

Application Requirements:

• Completed online application form
• Letter of application (3 pages maximum)
• Current CV
• Statement of proposed research (5-10 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, and official Ph.D.)
• All materials in English

Also Check: The Asia Foundation Development Fellows Program 2027

How to Apply:

1. Visit Official Website
2. Click “Sign up to get started”
3. Create username and password
4. Select “Stanford CDDRL Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program”
5. Complete all application fields
6. Upload required documents
7. Submit before November 30, 2026

Also Check: CrossCulture Programme (CCP) Fellowships (Fully Funded)