Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab Fellowships 2026–2028
- Omran Aburayya
- 50 minutes ago
- 3 min read
If you are an early-career researcher or Asia specialist seeking a fellowship that combines rigorous research, policy relevance, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL) Fellowships 2026-2028 may be the perfect fit. Applications are now open for both postdoctoral and visiting fellowship tracks.
Why SNAPL?
The Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL), housed within the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), is dedicated to exploring emergent social, economic, political, and cultural challenges in Asia through comparative, policy-oriented, and interdisciplinary research. The Lab emphasizes inquiry around four core themes:
Talent Flows & Development
Nationalism & Racism
U.S.–Asia Relations
Democratic Crisis & Reform
SNAPL seeks fellows who can engage deeply with these themes, collaborate across them, and contribute to policy and public scholarship.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location / Host: Stanford University, California, USA (in residence at APARC and associated centers)
Types / Levels:
Postdoctoral Fellowships (2-year appointment) for scholars with doctoral credentials.
Visiting Fellowships (1 year) for established researchers or professionals, especially from the Asia-Pacific region.
Research Tracks (applicable to both fellow types): Talent Flows & Development; Nationalism & Racism; U.S.–Asia Relations; Democratic Crisis & Reform
Compensation / Stipend:
Postdoctoral: annual salary of US$80,000 + benefits
Visiting: supplementary stipend of US$30,000 for the year
Application Deadlines:
Postdoctoral: 1 December 2025 for Fall 2026 admission
Visiting: 1 March 2026 for Fall 2026 term
Duration & Expectations:
Postdocs: 2 years, in residence, leading a thematic research group, supporting student programming, and contributing to collaborative publications.
Visiting: 1 academic year in residence, collaborating with SNAPL fellows and faculty, contributing research, engaging with Lab events.
🎁 Benefits & What You Gain
Salary / Stipend + Benefits: Competitive compensation that supports full-time engagement without needing external income.
In-residence experience: Fellows must reside on campus (or locally) and be immersed in Lab life.
Access to Stanford resources: Use of research facilities, seminar series, events via APARC and FSI, connections to faculty and interdisciplinary networks.
Leadership & visibility: Postdocs lead thematic working groups; fellows contribute to workshops, student mentoring, publications, public engagement.
Collaborative environment: Work alongside other fellows, faculty, students in linking scholarship and policy across Asia.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
For Postdoctoral Applicants:
Must have earned a PhD (or expect to) within a timeframe acceptable by Stanford (within three years prior to the start date).
Dissertation must be submitted and approved by stipulated deadlines (e.g. by June 30, 2026) and degree conferred by August 31, 2026.
Demonstrated capacity for interdisciplinary work, publication potential, interest in policy engagement.
Willingness to lead collaborative work and support student programming.
For Visiting Fellows:
Hold a PhD or have substantive professional achievement/research record.
Affiliation with an external institution or established professional profile.
Ability to reside at Stanford during the term and engage actively with Lab programs.
Proficiency in English.
📝 Application Procedure
Submit your application via the online form by the indicated deadlines (December 1, 2025 for postdocs; March 1, 2026 for visiting).
Upload required documents (PDF format) to the form.
A formal letter of request detailing their relevant research and experiences related to one of the research themes, including plans for solo and collaborative, co-authored publications;
A formal and complete academic CV, including a list of publications.
Email letters of recommendation separately to SNAPLcontact@stanford.edu by the deadline.
Postdoc: 3 letters
Visiting: 2 letters
💡 Strategy & Tips for a Strong Application
Tailor your proposal to one of the four SNAPL themes, explaining clearly how your work links theory and policy.
Demonstrate interdisciplinary reach (e.g. combining political science, economics, cultural studies) and policy relevance.
Highlight past collaborative work, capacity to lead teams or workshops, and mentorship potential.
For visiting fellows, emphasize how your regional insights and professional background can enrich Lab discourse.
Ensure all documents are polished, consistent, and submitted by the deadline (do not send originals unless requested).
Seek recommenders familiar with your research quality, policy engagement, and ability to contribute to a vibrant interdisciplinary environment.
Be prepared to relocate and engage intensively in an in-residence model.