Unlock Your Academic Potential: The Princeton Fung Global Fellows Program 2026/2027

 

Unlock Your Academic Potential: The Princeton Fung Global Fellows Program 2026/2027

Are you an early-career scholar looking to elevate your research on a global stage? The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) Fung Global Fellows Program offers a transformative opportunity for international scholars to engage in a year of dedicated research, interdisciplinary dialogue, and intellectual growth at one of the world's most prestigious universities. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to craft a successful application for the 2026/2027 cohort.

What is the Princeton Fung Global Fellows Program?

The Fung Global Fellows Program, housed within the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), is a highly competitive fellowship designed to bring together a cohort of exceptional early-career scholars from outside the United States. Each year, the program selects fellows to be in residence at Princeton University for a full academic year (10 months) to conduct research centred around a common, interdisciplinary theme.

The program's core mission is to foster intellectual exchange across regions and disciplines, creating a vibrant community of scholars who can offer fresh, global perspectives on pressing international issues. Fellows are appointed to the rank of Visiting Research Scholar, granting them full access to Princeton’s world-class resources, including Firestone Library and a dynamic network of faculty and students.

The 2026/2027 Fellowship Theme

Note: *The specific theme for the 2026/2027 cycle is announced on the official program website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the precise theme and tailor their research proposals accordingly, as this is a critical component of the selection process. Check the Official Fung Global Fellows Program webpage for details.*

Key Benefits and Financial Support

This fellowship is not just an honour; it is a fully supported research experience designed to allow you to focus entirely on your scholarly work.

Generous Financial Package: The program offers a competitive salary range of $100,000 to $135,000 for the 10-month fellowship period. This stipend is designed to cover living expenses, housing, and research costs, ensuring fellows can work without financial pressure.

Comprehensive Benefits: Fellows are eligible for Princeton University's comprehensive benefit program, which includes health insurance and other support services.

Unparalleled Resources: Fellows gain access to Princeton’s libraries, archives, research centres, and weekly seminar series where they can present their work.

Intellectual Community: The most significant benefit is joining a close-knit cohort of peers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, fostering lifelong academic networks and collaborative opportunities.

Are You Eligible? Fellowship Requirements

The Fung Global Fellows Program has specific eligibility criteria. Carefully review these points to ensure you qualify before beginning your application.

Early-Career Status: Applicants must have received their Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) on or after September 1, 2016. If your degree was conferred before this date, you are not eligible.

Current Employment: The fellowship is intended for scholars who are currently employed outside the United States. This must be a faculty appointment or a professional research appointment at a university or other research institution.

Return Commitment: You must be able to secure a letter from your current employer confirming that you are permitted to accept the fellowship and are expected to return to your position at the conclusion of the academic year at Princeton.

Academic Promise: Candidates must have demonstrated outstanding scholarly achievement and exhibit unusual intellectual promise at the beginning of their careers.

Important Exclusions: Scholars currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program or employed in a postdoctoral position are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

The application deadline is strict: November 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). All materials must be submitted in English through the online application portal.

Prepare the following documents well in advance:

1. Cover Letter (1.5 pages maximum)

Your cover letter should be more than just an introduction. Use it to concisely articulate your academic journey, your major research accomplishments to date, and why you are an ideal candidate for this specific cohort. Explain how your work aligns with the year's theme and what you hope to contribute to and gain from the intellectual community at PIIRS.

2. Curriculum Vitae

Provide a full and updated CV that includes a complete list of your publications, presentations, awards, and any other relevant professional achievements.

3. Research Proposal (3 pages maximum, single-spaced)

This is the cornerstone of your application. Your proposal should clearly outline the project you intend to pursue during the fellowship year. It must:

Be directly related to the program's annual theme.

Pose a clear research question and outline your methodological approach.

Explain the significance and potential original contribution of the research.

Detail why Princeton’s resources are essential for this project.

Be accessible to selection committee members from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences.

4. Writing Sample (Article or Book Chapter, 50 pages maximum)

Select a published or unpublished piece of writing that best demonstrates the quality and depth of your scholarly work. This sample should showcase your analytical skills, writing prowess, and the intellectual rigour of your research.

5. Three Letters of Recommendation

You will need to provide the names and email addresses of three referees in the online system. The system will automatically contact them with instructions to upload their letters.

Crucial: Choose recommenders who can speak authoritatively about your research, your potential, and your ability to contribute to an interdisciplinary community.

Plan Ahead: It is your responsibility to ensure that all three letters are submitted by your referees before the November 17, 2025, deadline. Follow up with them politely to confirm.

Final Tips for a Strong Application

Start Early: Do not wait until the last minute. Gathering materials and securing letters of recommendation takes time.

Theme is Key: Thoroughly understand the annual theme and explicitly and implicitly weave it throughout your proposal and cover letter.

Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Appeal: While your work may be specialised, frame it in a way that shows its relevance and interest to scholars from other fields.

Proofread Meticulously: Sloppy errors can undermine an otherwise excellent application. Have a colleague review your materials.

Confirm Technical Submission: Ensure you receive a confirmation after submitting your online application and that your recommenders have received their automated emails.

Seize This Opportunity

The Princeton Fung Global Fellows Program is more than a fellowship—it's a career-defining experience that provides the time, resources, and community to propel your research to new heights. If you are an ambitious early-career scholar with a bold research vision, this is your call to action.

Application Deadline: November 17, 2025

For the most accurate and detailed information, including the official application portal and the specific theme for the 2026/2027 cycle, always refer to the Official Fung Global Fellows Program Website: Unlock Your Academic Potential: The Princeton Fung Global Fellows Program 2026/2027

Begin preparing your application today and take the first step toward an unforgettable year of growth and discovery at Princeton University.

Meta Description: Dreaming of a research fellowship at Princeton? Our guide to the Fung Global Fellows Program 2026/2027 covers eligibility, benefits, the application process, and tips for early-career scholars. Apply by November 17, 2025.