CDDRL Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026-2027 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 CDDRL Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowships at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL). These fellowships support scholars researching democracy, development, evaluating democracy promotion, or rule of law, including a specialized Gerhard Casper Fellow in Rule of Law. The program, running from September 2026 to June 2027, offers 2-4 fully funded residential fellowships with stipends, tuition (for pre-doctoral fellows), and healthcare benefits.

Eligible applicants include pre-doctoral students in the dissertation write-up phase and postdoctoral scholars who earned their Ph.D. within three years or will defend by July 31, 2026. There is no application fee, and applications must be submitted by December 4, 2025, via the SlideRoom platform. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Fields of Study: Democracy, development, democracy promotion evaluation, rule of law (including judicial politics, criminal justice for Gerhard Casper Fellow)
• Duration: 9 months (September 2026 – June 2027)
• Funding: Fully funded (stipends for pre- and postdoctoral fellows, tuition for pre-doctoral fellows, healthcare benefits)
• Number of Fellowships: 2-4 residential fellowship
• Application Deadline: December 4, 2025
• Application Fee: None
• Open to all nationals

Fellowship Overview

• Purpose: Support writing and research while in residence at Stanford (fieldwork or extended travel not accommodated)
• Location: Stanford University, with access to offices, libraries, and exercise facilities
• Housing: Not provided, but fellows receive housing information from Stanford

Financial Support

• Pre-doctoral Fellows:
  • Stipends comparable to Stanford Graduate Fellowships
  • Non-matriculated student tuition covered
• Post-doctoral Fellows:
  • Stipends/salaries based on experience, aligned with university minimums
• Additional Benefits: Healthcare and other benefits provided as per Stanford requirements

Also check: Erasmus Mundus MESPOM Scholarship 2026-2028

Program Requirements

Fellows are expected to engage actively in CDDRL’s intellectual community and meet the following requirements:

• Residency: Be present at CDDRL, utilizing assigned office space regularly
• Individual Development Plan (IDP): Complete and review with a faculty mentor within the first month
• Mentorship: Meet with a faculty mentor at least monthly to discuss research progress and career guidance
• Seminars and Events: Attend weekly Thursday noon research seminars and participate in conferences, workshops, and other events
• Research Progress: Make tangible progress, such as completing dissertation/book chapters or a peer-reviewed journal article
• Public Engagement: Write a short op-ed or media piece to share research insights with the public
• Working Paper: Submit a CDDRL working paper by the end of the fellowship for feedback

Also check: Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program 2026

Eligibility

• Pre-doctoral Fellows:
  • Must be enrolled in a doctoral program during residency
  • Must be in the dissertation write-up phase (post-coursework)
• Post-doctoral Fellows:
  • Must have earned a Ph.D. within 3 years of the fellowship start or plan to defend by July 31, 2026

Gerhard Casper Fellow in Rule of Law

CDDRL also invites applications for the Gerhard Casper Fellow in Rule of Law for 2026-2027. This 9-month residential fellowship focuses on rule of law topics, such as judicial politics, criminal justice, or the politicization of judicial institutions. Candidates from social sciences, law, or related fields are welcome. Apply through the regular CDDRL fellowship application and indicate interest in this fellowship.

• Application Deadline: December 4, 2025

Check also: Qatar University Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

Application Process

• Required Materials (all in English):
  • Completed application form
  • Letter of application (max 3 pages)
  • Current CV
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Research proposal (5-10 pages)
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial accepted)
  • Official Ph.D. transcript (sent from the university registrar to [email protected])
• Submission Notes:
  • All materials, including recommendations, must be submitted by December 4, 2025
  • Only complete applications will be reviewed
  • Notifications sent in mid to late February 2026

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

How to Apply

1. Access the SlideRoom application portal.
2. Sign up to create a username and password.
3. Select “Stanford CDDRL Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.”
4. Complete all required fields and submit your application.