Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program at Stanford University 2027

Applications for the Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program 2027 at Stanford University will open in late October 2026 and close on January 12, 2027. This is a three week training fellowship in California for mid career professionals working in democracy, development, and the rule of law. It is partially funded: Stanford covers accommodation, meals, and local transportation.

While fellows are expected to cover their own round trip airfare, though a small travel fund is available for those in need. It is open to professionals from countries where democracy is not well entrenched, with at least 10 to 12 years of experience and strong English skills. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host University: Stanford University
• Host Country: United States
• Fellowship Type: Professional training fellowship
• Funding Type: Partially funded
• Application Opens: Late October 2026
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 12, 2027
• Open to All Nationalities: No.

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Free accommodation at Stanford for the full three weeks
• Free meals throughout the program
• Free local transportation during your stay
• A possible travel subsidy from the small travel fund if you cannot afford your airfare
• Three weeks of rigorous academic training from leading political scientists, lawyers, and economists, including Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama, Erik Jensen, Michael McFaul, and Kathryn Stoner

Also Check: Harvard LEAD Fellowship 2027–2028

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You must be an active practitioner in a leadership role. This is not an academic fellowship.
2. You need at least 10 to 12 years of professional experience.
3. You must be from and live in a country where democracy is not well entrenched. Applicants from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, and EU countries are not accepted.
4. You must be at least 28 years old by July 2027.
5. You must be working in democracy, development, or the rule of law, and not be a full time student.
6. You need strong written and spoken English.
7. You must attend the full three week program.

Also Check: Mellon Fellowship of Scholars at Stanford University (2027-2028)

Program Curriculum:

The program combines four types of sessions:

• Academic sessions: Topics include democratic transitions, political development, law and economic development, public administration, transitional justice, food security, and global health policy
• Case study workshops: Real reform stories told from the point of view of decision makers
• TED style talks: Each fellow presents their work and personal story
• Guest lectures: Talks by leaders from public service, technology, and philanthropy

Seminars run about six hours each day, and you will be asked to complete readings before each lecture.

Programs Available:

The fellowship is open to professionals working in these fields:

• Democracy
• Development
• Rule of Law
• Public Policy
• Government and Policy Making
• Law and Legal Services
• Civil Society and NGOs
• Trade Unions
• Media and Journalism
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Business Entrepreneurship
• Economic Development
• Academia (only if actively involved in policy or reform work)

Core Faculty

• Larry Diamond
• Francis Fukuyama
• Erik Jensen
• Michael McFaul
• Kathryn Stoner

Also Check: The Jansky Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2027 in United States

Documents Required:

• Resume or CV: In English, one to three pages, in Word or PDF format, maximum 10 MB. List your experience (latest first), education, awards, and a short list of publications if relevant
• Essays: Nine questions. Questions 1 to 8 are about 150 words each, and question 9 asks for your TED style talk title and a short paragraph
• Video: Two minutes or less, MP4 or MOV format, maximum 250 MB, titled with your full name
• Two or three letters of recommendation: At least one from your current supervisor, and none from family or friends

Essay Topics

• The state of democracy, development, and the rule of law in your country, and your organization’s role
• Your current role and responsibilities
• Your years of experience and your impact
• What inspires you personally
• Why you are applying now
• Your goals for the next 5 to 10 years
• How friends or family would describe you
• Your past fellowships and how this one differs
• The title and themes of your TED style talk

Letter of Recommendation Requirements

• Written in English on official letterhead
• Signed with name, position, and contact information
• Uploaded as one Word or PDF file
• Should cover how long the referee has known you, your achievements, your English ability, your impact, your suitability for the fellowship, and whether the referee is a program alumnus

Important Dates

• Late October 2026: Applications open
• January 12, 2027: Application and all recommendation letters due
• April 2027: Selection results announced
• July 18 to August 8, 2027: Program at Stanford

Also Check: Jean Monnet Fellowships at the European University Institute, Italy

Tips for a Strong Application:

• Apply early, as the program receives a high volume of applications
• Show real impact and results, not just job titles
• Use simple language and explain any acronyms in your essays
• Add short country context so reviewers understand your work
• Draft essays in a word processor first, because the system cuts off text beyond the limit
• Practice and time your video before uploading
• Brief your referees well so their letters match the program goals
• Do not email the program team about your status before April 2027

How to Apply:

1. Create an account on the Slideroom application portal.
2. Complete the online application form. Your progress saves automatically.
3. Upload your resume or CV.
4. Answer the essay questions.
5. Record and upload your video.
6. Add your referees so the system can email them.
7. Review everything carefully and click Submit. You cannot make changes after submitting.
8. Follow up with your referees to make sure their letters arrive by January 12, 2027.

Also Check: Princeton PLAS Short Term Visiting Fellowships, USA (2027-2028)