Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship Program

USIP’s Peace Scholar Fellowship program awards non-residential fellowships to students enrolled in U.S. universities who are writing doctoral dissertations on topics broadly related to conflict management, peacebuilding and relevant security studies. Since 1988, the program has supported the dissertations of 371 young scholars, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in research, higher education, and policy making.

This program partners with the Minerva Research Initiative to support additional fellowships relating to topics on peace and security studies. Currently, the program awards up to 18 scholarships per year, and awards support both research and writing stages of work on dissertations.

Applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in the field of international relations, peace and conflict studies and other related academic disciplines, as well as diplomacy and international policy-making, are strongly encouraged.

USIP seeks applications from Ph.D. candidates with high-quality, policy relevant research that will deepen understanding about conflict management, peacebuilding and other applicable security-related studies. USIP strongly prefers applications closely related to the USIP Issue Areas and/or research priorities of the Minerva Research Initiative.

Special consideration will be given to proposed research in the following areas:

• Strategic rivalry
• Global shocks and fragility
• The American approach to peacebuilding

Important Dates

• Registration opens: Thursday, September 7, 2023
• Registration closes: Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 4:00PM EDT
• Application deadline: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 4:00PM EDT
• Letters of reference due: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 4:00PM EDT