The Fung Global Fellows Program at Princeton University offers exceptional international PhD students and recent PhD graduates a fully funded, ten-month residential fellowship in Princeton, New Jersey. Fellows spend an academic year at one of the world’s top universities, pursuing independent research on a theme that spans multiple disciplines, while engaging with Princeton’s extraordinary community of scholars, faculty, and peers from around the globe.
This is a non-degree fellowship: it does not lead to a Princeton degree, but it is among the most intellectually stimulating and prestigious residential fellowships available to international scholars in the social sciences and humanities. The application deadline is November 16, 2026, and the fellowship year runs from August 2027 through June 2028.
Quick Facts
| Fellowship | Fung Global Fellows Program |
| Host Institution | Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), Princeton University |
| Duration | 10 months (August 2027 – June 2028) |
| Location | Princeton, New Jersey, USA |
| Stipend/Salary | $100,000 – $135,000 |
| Minimum Degree Required | Must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (generally received on or after September 1, 2017; current Ph.D. students and postdocs are ineligible) |
| Nationality | Open to international applicants worldwide, provided they are employed outside the United States at the time of application. |
| Funding | Fully funded: stipend + research allowance + travel support |
| Age | No specific age restriction |
| Application Fee | Free |
| Deadline | November 16, 2026 |
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
The Fung Global Fellows Program is fully funded. Fellows receive a comprehensive support package that includes:
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses in Princeton for the full 10 months
- Research allowance to support project costs, library access, and scholarly activities during the year
- Travel support for the journey to and from Princeton at the beginning and end of the fellowship
- Office space and full access to Princeton libraries, academic resources, and university facilities
- Participation in the PIIRS fellows community, including weekly workshops, seminars, and interdisciplinary study groups
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is designed specifically for international scholars — that is, individuals who are citizens or permanent residents of countries other than the United States. Eligible candidates include:
- PhD candidates who have completed all coursework and exams but have not yet received their degree (ABD status), working on their dissertation
- Recent PhD graduates (typically within 10 years of receiving the doctorate)
- Fields: Social sciences, humanities, and related interdisciplinary fields — applicants should have a research project relevant to the fellowship’s annual theme
- Institutional affiliation: Fellows should be affiliated with a recognized university or research institution outside the US
US citizens and US permanent residents are not eligible. The programme is intentionally designed to bring international perspectives to Princeton and to support scholars from institutions outside the US.
The 2027–28 Annual Theme
Each year, the Fung Global Fellows Program is organized around a specific interdisciplinary theme. Applicants are expected to articulate how their research connects to the current year’s theme. The 2027–28 theme will be announced on the official PIIRS website; prospective applicants should review it carefully before crafting their application.
Past themes have included topics such as migration, technology and governance, security and globalization, and the politics of inequality — areas that attract scholars across political science, sociology, history, anthropology, and related disciplines.
About PIIRS and Princeton University
The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) is Princeton University’s research centre for the study of international affairs, global politics, and regional dynamics. PIIRS brings together Princeton faculty and visiting scholars to address pressing questions about the contemporary world, and its fellowship programmes — including the Fung Global Fellows Program — are a core part of that mission.
Princeton University, founded in 1746, is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the United States. It consistently ranks among the top universities in the world and is home to extraordinary scholarship across every major academic field. Fellows have access to the university’s full academic infrastructure, including Firestone Library, one of the leading research libraries in North America.
How to Apply
Applications for the Fung Global Fellows Program 2027–28 are submitted through the Interfolio platform. A complete application typically includes:
- A research proposal (usually 1,500–2,000 words) describing your project and its connection to the annual theme
- A curriculum vitae or academic résumé
- Three letters of recommendation from senior scholars familiar with your research
- Official or unofficial academic transcripts
- A writing sample (published or unpublished) demonstrating your scholarly work
- Personal statement connecting your background and trajectory to the fellowship
The application deadline is November 16, 2026. The Interfolio portal for 2027–28 applications is at the link below. Check the PIIRS website for the exact requirements for this cycle before beginning your application.
Key Dates
| Application Deadline | November 16, 2026 |
| Fellowship Year | August 2027 – June 2028 |
| Duration | 10 months |
| Location | Princeton, New Jersey, USA |
For international PhD scholars in the social sciences and humanities, the Fung Global Fellows Program represents one of the most prestigious and intellectually rich fellowship opportunities available. A year at Princeton — with full funding, an independent research mandate, and access to one of the world’s greatest academic communities — is a rare gift. The application is free. The opportunity is extraordinary.
Apply before November 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
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