CISAC Fellowships
Fellowship Application
Our Fellowship Program for the 2025-2026 academic year is now accepting applications for the India-U.S. Security Studies and the French-American Fellowships.
The deadline to apply for the India-U.S. Security Studies Fellowship is January 15, 2025. Please click here to apply
The deadline to apply to the French-American Fellowship is January 30, 2025. Please carefully read the below fellowship description for instructions on how to apply.
The Program
CISAC Fellows spend the academic year engaged in research and writing, and are expected to participate in seminars and to interact and collaborate with leading faculty and researchers. Natural scientists have the opportunity to conduct research on the scientific and technical aspects of security topics, as well as to work in collaboration with faculty members. The CISAC fellowship provides an unparalleled opportunity for scholars and professionals to explore complex international problems and innovative solutions in a collegial and collaborative environment. |
CISAC offers numerous fellowships. Applicants will be considered for all fellowships for which they are deemed eligible. Current fellowship opportunities include:
- Biotechnology Innovation & International Security Fellowship
- Fellowship for Early Career Scientists and Engineers at U.S. National Laboratories
- French-American Fellowship
- India-U.S. Security Studies Fellowship
- Natural Sciences or Engineering International Security Fellowship
- Nuclear Security Fellowship
- Social Media Lab Fellowship
Social Sciences or Humanities International Security Fellowship
CISAC is guided by its longstanding belief that a commitment to rigorous scholarship, openness to new ideas, and lively intellectual exchange can spur the creation and spread of knowledge to help build a safer world. To that end, fellows are expected to be fully present and engaged at CISAC during their assignment.
- Complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and review it with your mentor within the 1st month of appointment.
- Meet with your faculty mentor at least once per month to review and refine your research topic, discuss project progress, and receive general career and intellectual guidance.
- Regularly attend and engage with CISAC’s weekly research seminar. Coordinate one panel.
- Participate in many and host one of the fellowship dinners with the research seminar panel participants. CISAC will pay for these.
- Participate in the Fellows’ Policy Workshop (typically 2-3 sessions per month).
- Make tangible progress on your proposed research project: completing several dissertation or book chapters and/or at least one article for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
- Write a short op-ed or other media piece that provides insights gleaned from your scholarly work to the public (blog posts are not eligible).
- Complete brief quarterly fellowship reports in which you describe your research, writing, and presentation activities during that period.
- Produce at least one policy focused document for a mock congressional testimony or NSC simulation session (part of the Fellows’ Policy Workshop series).
- Participate as a head of state in our winter quarter simulation for the course “International Security in a Changing World” if selected.
- STANTON FELLOWS ONLY: Participate in the annual Stanton Nuclear Security Fellows Seminar, hosted by the Foundation in Washington, D.C.
- SIO FELLOWS ONLY: Participate in Cyber Policy Center research seminars and produce policy-relevant work, which could include media appearances, published articles, or briefings to or workshops for government or international organization officials, ideally in collaboration with researchers from other disciplines
Submission of a formal application is required for all individuals who wish to be in residence as visiting fellows, whether they need funding or have independent support.
All application materials, including recommendations, must be in English. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials, including letters of reference, are submitted by the deadline stated above. Please do not submit supplemental materials such as books, lengthy manuscripts, or more than the required number of recommendations.
Online submission of application must include:
- Completed online application form
- Resume/CV
- Graduate school transcript (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All pre- and postdoctoral applicants must include a transcript. Junior faculty and professionals may include a transcript, but are not required to do so.)
- Research project prospectus or description of dissertation (1,500 words max, not including footnotes/endnotes)
- Research abstract (200 words max)
- Writing sample (50 pages max)
- Three confidential letters of recommendation. Please note that recommendation letter services, such as Interfolio, may not use our online recommendation letter submission system. Please advise your recommenders to upload their letters directly to the SlideRoom system.
Online Application Instructions
- Access application portal by selecting link below.
- Click "Sign up to get started" (at the bottom of the page). Input the requested information to create a username and password.
- Click "Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation Fellowship Program".
- Proceed through the application, entering information into all required fields.
- Submit your application.
Find answers regarding your elgibility to the fellowship program, the application and general fellowship questions.
Email us at cisacfellowship@stanford.edu.