2026 Nonresident Fellowship, Independent America
The Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group, a nonprofit focused on research and civic engagement, led by Board President Ian Bremmer and Board Chair Zachary Karabell, is now accepting applications for its 2026 Nonresident Fellows Program. This compensated, one-year opportunity is housed within the Independent America (IA) program, which explores how US foreign policy can be better tailored to new global realities. The fellowship is designed for early-career scholars and analysts who wish to refine their ability to communicate their work to a broader audience and become part of a growing community of policy-engaged experts.
To apply, please submit your application materials as a single PDF or .doc file to info@instituteforglobalaffairs.org. Deadline to apply is December 5, 2025.
Summary
The Nonresident Fellows Program convenes emerging thinkers with fresh perspectives on today’s global challenges. Nonresident fellows draw on their varied expertise, from across professional and academic disciplines, to test entrenched foreign policy assumptions and develop balanced, practical approaches to US statecraft that reflect the realities of a shifting international system. Equally as important, fellows share their work with the broader public to increase understanding of geopolitics and advance a deeper, more inclusive conversation about international affairs.
Nonresident fellows combine strong academic training—or experience working on global issues as journalists or analysts—with a collaborative spirit and the ability to communicate complex ideas. During the program, nonresident fellows contribute to both popular and policy-oriented outlets and pursue projects that are often not feasible within traditional academic environments. They benefit from IA’s editorial guidance and media relations support as they pitch articles and pursue opportunities for podcasts, television, and other broadcast appearances. The program also hosts regular meetings where fellows workshop articles and book manuscripts and participate in professional masterclasses led by experts in communications, social media, and pitching.
Benefits and Opportunities
Nonresident fellows receive a $4,000 stipend, delivered in two installments—one at the start of the program and another upon successful completion of three to four foreign policy deliverables. Fellows, in consultation with IGA, have the flexibility to pursue a wide range of projects. In previous years, fellows have placed articles in The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and War on the Rocks; appeared on BBC News and France 24; built data sets; and hosted live events. Fellows also join a collaborative network that provides ongoing support, thought partnership, and strategic promotion across IGA’s social media channels. Additionally, the program equips fellows with practical tools and skills to help advance their careers.
Expectations
- Publish 3–4 deliverables in the format of your choice—such as op-eds, articles, videos, events, or other creative outputs.
- Contribute to programming initiatives like the None Of The Above podcast and other IGA projects when the opportunity arises.
- Occasionally support IGA’s social media efforts through short-form videos, digital-first explainers, feed takeovers, and other initiatives.
- Engage with the cohort of nonresident fellows during monthly meetings, where participants workshop writing projects and take part in career development sessions.
- Attend IGA’s spring nonresident fellows retreat, a one-day conference held at our office in New York City.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for collaboration and thought partnership with the IA team and fellow participants.
Eligibility
Applicants must have extensive experience working on issues related to US foreign and defense policy—as scholars, journalists, or former government officials. PhD holders should demonstrate both a strong academic foundation and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences. While the program welcomes fellows from a broad range of disciplines, the ideal candidate’s primary research focus should be in political science, international relations and security studies, history, economics, or international journalism—particularly those engaged in reporting, analysis, or storytelling on global affairs.
Each year, IGA builds its cohort of fellows around the foreign policy issues anticipated to be most urgent in the months ahead. As a result, strong applicants may be turned away if their focus overlaps with that of other fellows or falls outside the program’s immediate priorities. Scholars from historically underrepresented groups in the foreign policy community are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions
To apply, email your cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, and two writing samples (opinion and commentary preferred) as a single PDF or .doc file to Jonathan Guyer and Lucas Robinson at info@instituteforglobalaffairs.org. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in the mission of IGA and its Independent America program.
Deadline to apply: December 5, 2025
Interviews: Early December 2025
The Independent America project, led by IGA Program Director Jonathan Guyer, seeks to explore how US foreign policy can be better tailored to new global realities and the preferences of American voters.
The Institute for Global Affairs conducts industry-leading research on geopolitics and global affairs, produces relevant, objective, fact-based content, tools, and programming, and partners globally to raise awareness, foster understanding, and promote action.
Candidates can download a PDF of this listing here.
