Are you a newly minted PhD scholar aiming to advance your research at one of America’s premier research institutions? The Notre Dame Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in the USA offers an exceptional academic opportunity. Hosted by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, this fully funded postdoctoral position provides early-career researchers with the funding, mentorship, and focus required to elevate their academic careers. The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships are awarded to newly minted PhDs who conduct research on global democracy. As members of the Institute’s vibrant Visiting Fellows cohort, Postdoctoral Fellows benefit from dedicated time and resources to advance their own research agendas, engage in scholarly development, and collaborate with distinguished faculty, scholars, and practitioners from the US and abroad.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle: key deadlines, eligibility criteria, compensation packages, step-by-step application instructions, and insider tips for a competitive submission.
Basic Information About the Fellowship
The Kellogg Institute Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships are tailored for early-career scholars conducting international or comparative research focused on global democracy.
- Host Institution: University of Notre Dame (Kellogg Institute for International Studies)
- Location: Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
- Field: Global democracy and related international research
- Fellowship type: Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship
- Target Audience: International and domestic PhD graduates (open to all nationalities)
- Fellowship Duration: 1 Academic Year (August 2027 to May 2028), renewable for a 2nd year based on performance
- Application Portal Opens: August 1, 2026
- Main Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Time)
- Recommendation Letters Deadline: October 7, 2026
Duration
- Normally 1 academic year (August–May).
- A second year may be available based on interest and satisfactory performance.
- First-year fellows are paid over 12 months.
- If a second year is approved, the second-year stipend is paid over 9 months.
Institution Details: The Kellogg Institute at Notre Dame
Founded in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is an internationally acclaimed private research university located near South Bend, Indiana.
Within Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, the Kellogg Institute for International Studies serves as an intellectual hub for scholars examining global themes. The Institute provides postdoctoral fellows with:
- A dedicated workspace inside the Hesburgh Center for International Studies.
- Access to Notre Dame’s extensive Hesburgh Libraries network.
- An active community of faculty fellows, visiting scholars, and policy practitioners.
- A platform to present research through weekly seminars and interdisciplinary workshops.
Eligible Study Areas & Research Themes
This fellowship is not a generic open-field grant; it focuses specifically on global democracy.
Core Eligible Fields:
- Political Science & Comparative Politics
- Sociology
- Economics & Political Economy
- International Relations & Global Governance
- Public Policy & Peace Studies
Key Research Themes Accepted:
- Democratic institutions, governance, and rule of law
- Elections, political behavior, and civil society mobilization
- Authoritarianism, democratic erosion, and backsliding
- Human rights, public policy, and international conflict resolution
What Fellows Are Expected to Do
- Stay in residence at the Kellogg Institute during the fellowship.
- Present their research at least once.
- Attend weekly seminars and lectures.
- Participate in Kellogg Institute academic activities.
- Publish research produced or completed during the fellowship.
- Acknowledge Kellogg Institute support in publications.
Notre Dame’s Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship Benefits:
The Kellogg Institute provides a competitive funding package that allows fellows to concentrate fully on writing and publishing.
- Annual Living Stipend: $75,000 USD per academic year.
- Research Allowance: Up to $7,500 USD per year to cover field research, conference travel, software, or data collection.
- Relocation Expenses: Up to $2,000 USD reimbursement for moving costs to Notre Dame, Indiana.
- Research funding/support
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Access to an onsite medical facility and pharmacy
- Institutional Support: Dedicated office space, computing facilities, library privileges, and administrative assistance.
Benefits Not Included
Applicants should plan for minor out-of-pocket costs that fall outside the core funding terms:
- Visa Processing Fees:
- Dependent Expenses:
- Summer Living Costs: The core appointment runs across the 9-month academic year (August to May), requiring fellows to budget accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria for Notre Dame’s Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship
To maintain academic rigor, the Kellogg Institute enforces strict eligibility guidelines:
- Must have a PhD or equivalent degree.
- PhD must have been completed within 3 years before the fellowship starts.
- Applicants can be from any country.
- Preference is given to applicants with a Social Science PhD.
- PhDs from other fields may be considered in exceptional cases.
- Notre Dame PhD graduates are not eligible.
- Non-US applicants need:
- Advanced English proficiency
- A valid passport
- A J-1 visa
Selection Criteria
The committee mainly looks at:
- Your academic/research record and potential
- Importance of your research problem
- Connection to global democracy
- Quality of your research methodology and design
- Originality and importance of the research
- How clearly you can explain your research to people outside your field
- How much meaningful research you can complete during the fellowship
Required Documents for Application
- Visiting Fellowship Application Form
- Institutional Required Information Form (IRIF)
- Cover letter explaining your interest and preferred fellowship period
- CV
- Research project statement: 6–10 double-spaced pages
- Project abstract: maximum 150 words
- Short biography: 200–300 words
- Writing sample: maximum 30 pages
- Dissertation chapter, unpublished article, or forthcoming article
- 3 confidential recommendation letters
Notre Dame’s Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this sequence to ensure your application meets all formal requirements:
1.Confirm Eligibility & Contact Referees:August 2026.
Verify your PhD award date falls within the 3-year window. Contact 3 academic referees early and confirm their willingness to upload letters to Interfolio by October 7, 2026.
2.Draft Your Research Proposal:August – September 2026.
Write a 6–10 page research statement. Clearly state how your project expands the understanding of global democracy, its methodology, and intended publications.
3.Prepare Interfolio Application Profile:Mid-September 2026.
Create an account on the Interfolio portal. Upload your CV, cover letter, research statement, abstract, bio, and writing sample.
4.Submit Main Application:October 1, 2026.
Submit your complete application packet on Interfolio before 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
5.Ensure Recommendation Letters Are In:October 7, 2026.
Monitor your Interfolio portal to ensure all 3 confidential reference letters are uploaded by the final recommendation cutoff.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Anchor Your Project in Democracy: Do not present a generic social science proposal. Ensure the connection to global democracy—whether focusing on institutions, civil society, or political behavior—is explicit throughout your statement.
- Outline Clear Publication Goals: Fellowship committees favor candidates who use their time effectively. Outline specific journal articles or a book manuscript you plan to finalize during your tenure.
- Demonstrate Fit with Kellogg Faculty: Mention specific Kellogg faculty fellows whose work overlaps with yours and explain how collaboration would benefit your research.
- Choose the Right Writing Sample: Select a single polished chapter or article that demonstrates analytical depth and methodological rigor over a broad, unfinished overview.
Estimated Monthly Expenses in South Bend / Notre Dame, USA
South Bend, Indiana offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to major US metropolitan areas like New York, Boston, or San Francisco. The $75,000 USD annual stipend provides a comfortable standard of living.
Here is an estimated monthly cost breakdown for an international fellow (in USD):
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (USD) | Notes |
| Housing & Rent | $850 – $1,350 | 1-2 bedroom apartments near Notre Dame campus |
| Utilities & Internet | $120 – $180 | Electricity, heating, gas, and high-speed Wi-Fi |
| Groceries & Food | $300 – $450 | Local supermarkets (Trader Joe’s, Martin’s, Aldi) |
| Local Transportation | $50 – $150 | South Bend Transpo buses or personal vehicle fuel |
| Health & Medical Extras | $50 – $100 | Co-pays and prescriptions beyond base health coverage |
| Personal & Leisure | $200 – $350 | Dining out, campus events, and regional travel |
| Total Estimated Cost | $1,570 – $2,580 / month | Well within the ~$6,250 / month gross stipend! |
Why Choose the Kellogg Postdoctoral Fellowship? (5 Core Reasons)
- Exceptional Financial Security: A $75,000 USD stipend paired with $7,500 in research funds places this among the most competitive social science postdocs in North America.
- Uninterrupted Research Time: With minimal teaching loads, fellows can dedicate their time to converting dissertations into books or publishing peer-reviewed papers.
- Vibrant Interdisciplinary Network: Engage with a global cohort of visiting scholars, policy practitioners, and Notre Dame faculty.
- Career Development & Mentorship: Kellogg provides formal presentation opportunities, feedback seminars, and professional placement support.
- Option for a 2-Year Term: Unlike many single-year fellowships, high-performing fellows can extend their position for a second academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can non-US citizens apply for this fellowship?
Yes. The fellowship is open to scholars of all nationalities. International scholars receive J-1 visa sponsorship from the University of Notre Dame.
Are Postdoctoral Visiting Fellows offered research funds?
Yes, up to $7,500/year in research funds
Is the Fellowship stipend paid over 9 or 12 months?
One-year postdocs are paid over 12 months; if a second year is approved, the second-year stipend is paid over the additional 9 months..
What is the stipend for the Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship?
The stipend is $75,000/year (in compliance with the Keough School of Global Affairs policy)
Important Dates
- Applications open: August 1, 2026
- Application deadline: October 1, 2026
- Recommendation letters deadline: October 7, 2026
- Fellowship competition: Academic Year 2027–28
Official Link:
This is a highly competitive postdoctoral research fellowship for recent PhD graduates whose research is connected to global democracy. The major attraction is the $75,000 salary + research support + health insurance, with the possibility of staying for a second year.
