Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation Fellowship Program ( CISAC 2026-2027)

If you are a scholar or professional working on international security, technology policy, nuclear or bio-security, and you are looking for a prestigious in-residence fellowship opportunity in the 2026-2027 academic year — the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at Stanford University is now accepting applications for its Fellowship Program. This is your chance to join a collegial interdisciplinary environment, engage in cutting-edge research and writing, and collaborate with leading faculty and practitioners on global security challenges.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

• Host institution: Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), part of Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

• Fellowship level: Visiting academic year fellowship for pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, junior faculty, and other professionals (e.g., for those in the natural sciences or engineering or policy fields).

• Target group: Scholars and professionals (domestic and international) working on international security topics (nuclear/non-proliferation, cyber/AI security, biosecurity, global governance, insurgency/terrorism, U.S.–India security, etc.).

• Fields/Tracks:

  • Nuclear weapons policy and non-proliferation; nuclear energy & transnational flows.

  • Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, digital security.

  • Biosecurity, global health, biotechnology innovation & international security.

  • U.S.–India security relations, Indo-Pacific security challenges.

  • Broader global governance, migration, insurgency, civil conflict, transnational flows and norms.

• Duration: Typically one academic year (in-residence) for most fellows; there are also multi-year or project-specific fellowships such as the Biotechnology Innovation & International Security Fellowship (two years) under CISAC.

• Application deadline: December 3, 2025.

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

The CISAC Fellowship Program at Stanford offers an outstanding opportunity for in-residence research in international and technological security. Fellows join a vibrant community of scholars and practitioners at CISAC, engaging throughout the academic year in seminars, writing, workshops, policy‐oriented simulations, and networking with faculty mentors.

In their period in residence, fellows are expected to produce research outputs (e.g., journal articles, policy briefings, op-eds), participate in weekly research seminars, host or attend a fellowship dinner, coordinate or take part in policy workshops (2-3 each month), and—in some cases—take part in practical simulation exercises (e.g., head of state simulation in the “International Security in a Changing World” course).

The program emphasises interdisciplinarity: natural scientists and engineers are encouraged to apply, especially for technical security topics (for example, digital/AI security, biosecurity, nuclear flows) and to work in collaboration with faculty mentors at Stanford.

🎁 Programme Benefits

• Full-time in-residence environment: Fellows are expected to be present on campus several times a week and fully integrated into the CISAC research community.

• Mentorship: Each fellow is assigned a faculty mentor at CISAC/FSI, meeting at least monthly to review progress, refine research topics, and receive career/intellectual guidance.

• Research community access: Attend and engage in weekly research seminars, collaborate with Stanford faculty and other fellows, participate in policy workshops and simulation events.

• Policy engagement: Expectation to produce policy-relevant outputs, including op-eds or media appearances, policy briefs, and participation in simulation exercises.

• Networking & prestige: Linking with top scholars and practitioners in global security, leveraging Stanford’s institutional reputation and resources.

• Flexibility of topic: While the fellowship emphasises security themes, a wide range of disciplines (social sciences, engineering, natural sciences) are eligible, providing opportunities for cross-disciplinary work.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the CISAC Fellowship Program:

• Applicants must propose a research project in one of the relevant security-policy fields (see list under “Fields of Focus” above).

• Applicants may be pre-doctoral (dissertation stage), post-doctoral, junior faculty, or professionals in a relevant field (policy, science, engineering, government, etc.).

• Applicants from the U.S. and abroad are eligible; the program welcomes diversity of citizenship, background, gender, etc.

• The program is full-time in residence. Applicants must certify that they understand they will need to be present on campus (several times a week) for the duration of the fellowship.

• Applicants must submit required materials (CV, transcripts, research prospectus, writing sample, references) in English and by the deadline.

📝 Application Procedure

1. Visit the CISAC fellowship portal (via SlideRoom).

2. Register / sign up and log in to the application system.

3. Complete the online application form, entering your demographic info, current institution/department, website/profile link, citizenship, fellowship category, research title, abstract, and in-residence certification.

4. Upload required documents:

   • Resume or CV (PDF)

   • Research project prospectus or dissertation description (1,500 words max)

   • Research abstract (200 words max)

   • Writing sample (50 pages max)

   • Graduate school transcripts (unofficial acceptable, in English or certified translation) for pre- and post-doctoral applicants.

5. Provide contact information for three (3) individuals who will submit letters of reference on your behalf. Letters should be submitted via the SlideRoom system (or sent as PDF if necessary). Be aware that services like Interfolio may not work seamlessly — they advise direct upload or emailing to cisacfellowship@stanford.edu if using Interfolio.

6. Submit the full application — all materials and references must arrive by the deadline (December 3 2025).

👌🏻 Tips

• Clearly articulate what you hope to achieve during your time at CISAC: how will the fellowship enhance your research, professional network, and policy impact?

• If you have a proposed faculty mentor at Stanford, you may mention them (non-binding) — though this is optional and not required.

• Demonstrate policy relevance: beyond academic publication, show how your research may produce policy briefs, media commentary, or other real-world application.

ℹ️ Extra Information

• The program emphasises that applicants will be considered for all appropriate fellowship categories for which they are eligible — you do not need to apply separately for each track.

• Given the interdisciplinary nature (e.g., engineers, scientists, policy specialists), use your proposal to bridge your technical or domain expertise with security and policy dimensions — this will strengthen your fit.

• The requirement to be in-residence “several times per week” means you should plan for relocation (or extended stay) at Stanford for the academic year; ensure you can commit full-time.

• Given the December 3 deadline and the high competition, it’s wise to prepare early: draft your abstract, prospectus, writing sample, identify referees, and ensure transcripts are ready.

• Highlight how your work connects to global security challenges (nuclear, biosecurity, digital/AI, U.S.–India relations, etc.) — this will align well with CISAC’s thematic priorities.

• Use the mentorship available at Stanford: if possible, identify and mention a faculty member whose research aligns with yours — even though it’s optional, it shows initiative.

• Consider how you will produce policy-relevant outputs during your fellowship: maybe a brief for a government/international organisation, a simulation exercise, or an op-ed — reflecting that in your proposal adds value.

🔗 Details & Apply

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