Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows Program 2026–27
- Omran Aburayya
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
If you’re an experienced scholar committed to peacebuilding research and looking for a semester or year inspiration at a world-class institution, the Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows Program 2026–27 at the University of Notre Dame could be a perfect fit. Here’s a full breakdown of the program, why it’s valuable, and how you can apply.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: University of Notre Dame, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
Fellowship Level: Visiting Research Fellowship (scholars with doctoral or equivalent degree)
Target Group: Established researchers (or doctoral graduates), peace scholars, academics focused on their research agenda
Themes of Focus:
Intersection of Gender, Race, Class & Peacebuilding
International Mediation (preventive diplomacy, national dialogue)
Peace Accords Matrix (PAM) – design and implementation, inclusion, transitional justice
Sustainability, Climate Change & Peace – environmental peacebuilding, livelihoods, deforestation, etc.
Funding: Stipend up to US$ 30,000 per semester
Benefits / Coverage:
Furnished housing in Institute apartments (free)
Library, internet access, document retrieval services
Duration: Either one semester or full academic year (depending on application)
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Notification of Results: Around April 2026
Fellowship Start Dates: At the beginning of Notre Dame’s semester — August or January
🌐 Program Overview
The Kroc Visiting Research Fellows Program is a residential fellowship designed for scholars who are deeply engaged in peace research and wish to spend dedicated time at Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute. Fellows are expected to contribute intellectually to the Institute’s community, aligning their research with current Kroc priorities.
For 2026–27, Kroc is especially interested in projects that are not just academically rigorous, but also policy-relevant and practice-oriented.
The four main thematic areas reflect contemporary and pressing challenges in peace and justice: from structural and identity-based violence (gender, race, class), to mediation strategies, to the complexities of implementing peace agreements, and even the intersection of climate change and peace.
Fellows will need to clearly justify why Kroc is the right place for their research — not just in terms of resources, but in relation to Kroc’s scholarly community, archives, and ongoing research.
🎁 Benefits & Why It Matters
Generous Funding: A $30,000-per-semester stipend is quite substantial, giving you real freedom to focus on your research.
Free Housing: Furnished Institute apartments provided at no cost mean you don’t have to worry about accommodation.
Full Academic Integration: You’ll be part of the Kroc intellectual community, with access to seminars, workshops, and interactions with faculty.
Research Infrastructure: Access to Notre Dame’s library, internet, and document retrieval services gives you the tools you need.
High Relevance: The themes are very relevant globally — working on peace accords, mediation, climate, or intersectional violence can influence both scholarship and real-world policy.
✅ Eligibility Criteria & Who Should Apply
To be eligible:
Terminal Degree Required: You must have a doctoral degree (or equivalent) completed before your fellowship begins.
Previous Fellows: If you’ve been a Kroc Visiting Research Fellow before, you must wait 7 years before applying again.
Research Fit: Your proposal must clearly align with one (or more) of Kroc’s priority themes.
Academic & Community Contribution: Kroc will evaluate your academic track record, how your research links to their existing projects, and how you plan to participate in the Institute’s intellectual life.
📝 Application Process
Here’s what you need to prepare to apply:
Application Submission: Through the Kroc Institute’s online portal.
Cover Letter (≤ 2 pages):
Specify whether you want the fellowship for one semester or a full year.
Indicate which thematic area(s) your research falls under (Gender/Race/Class, Mediation, PAM, or Climate & Peace).
Research Proposal (max 10 pages, double-spaced): Should include:
Research question(s), data sources, methodology, analysis plan
Timeline / timetable for your project
Expected outputs or deliverables (papers, policy brief, etc.)
Bibliography with relevant literature.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Updated, showing your research experience.
Recommendation Letters: Two confidential letters of recommendation.
After applications are submitted, a faculty committee at the Kroc Institute reviews them. The committee considers academic excellence, how the proposal aligns with Kroc’s research, and how well the fellow will engage with the Institute’s intellectual life.
📆 Timeline
Application Opens: Now (for academic year 2026–27)
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Notification of Decision: April 2026
Fellowship Start: At the beginning of a Notre Dame semester (August or January)
👌🏻 Eligibility Tips & Application Advice
Show Strong Fit: Make sure your research proposal explicitly ties into Kroc’s research priorities. Demonstrate why the Kroc Institute is uniquely suited to support your work.
Be Policy-Relevant: Kroc emphasizes projects with real-world impact, so discuss how your research could inform policy or practice.
Plan for Engagement: Describe not only your research, but how you’ll contribute to the Kroc community: seminars, workshops, collaboration.
Budget Wisely: Even though housing is covered, plan your personal budget around travel, living expenses, and research costs — the stipend is generous but not unlimited.
Use the Two-Semester Option Thoughtfully: If doing a full academic year, especially in the Climate & Peace theme, you may have more time to develop deeper, longitudinal work.
Prepare for References: Choose recommenders who know your research well and can speak to both your academic quality and your potential to contribute to Kroc’s mission.
🚀 Why This Fellowship Is Valuable
Institutional Prestige & Network: Being affiliated with Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute gives credibility and access to a high-impact research community.
Interdisciplinary Exposure: Kroc’s themes encourage crossing disciplinary boundaries—whether gender studies, climate science, political mediation, or transitional justice.
Time to Focus: With stipend and housing, you can devote high-quality, uninterrupted time to your research.
Impact Potential: The fellowship isn’t just academic — it’s about influencing peacebuilding practice, policy, and global conversations.
Professional Development: Access to Kroc faculty, seminars, and academic events helps you grow as a researcher and deepen your network.
