Hoover Institution Fellows Program 2027

Relevant fields include:

• Economics
• History
• International Relations
• National Security
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Related fields with a strong connection to Hoover's research priorities

Applicants who are still completing their PhD can be considered, provided they expect to complete the degree by 1 September 2027.

Research Expectations

The Hoover Fellows position is designed around research productivity.

Fellows are expected to use their time at Hoover to develop and publish significant scholarship. This can include scholarly articles, books, working papers and other research outputs with implications for public policy.

The programme is therefore particularly suitable for applicants who already have a clearly defined research agenda rather than someone who is simply looking for general postgraduate funding.

Applicants should be able to explain what they intend to investigate during the fellowship and why spending time at Hoover and Stanford would materially strengthen that research.

Research Environment

The Hoover Institution is a public-policy research centre located on Stanford University's campus.

Fellows are encouraged to participate in Stanford's broader research community and connect with researchers working in related fields.

This can be particularly valuable for interdisciplinary scholars because the fellowship combines an institution focused on policy research with access to the wider Stanford academic environment.

The programme also provides Fellows with an opportunity to develop professional relationships with scholars working on related questions and policy challenges.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A cover letter or statement of interest describing their academic background and experience.
• A curriculum vitae.
• One or more recent publications, working papers or draft book chapters.
• A statement describing future research plans, limited to two pages.
• Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's research accomplishments and potential for future research.

The research-plan requirement is particularly important because the selection process is not based solely on previous academic achievements. Applicants need to demonstrate what they intend to accomplish as Hoover Fellows.

Research Statement

The two-page future research statement should give the selection committee a clear understanding of the applicant's proposed research agenda.

A strong statement should explain:

• The central research problem.
• What the applicant intends to investigate.
• Why the question matters.
• How the proposed research contributes to existing scholarship.
• The expected outputs.
• How the Hoover environment would help advance the work.

Applicants should avoid using the statement simply to repeat information already contained in their CV.

Selection Considerations

The programme is highly competitive and is aimed at scholars who demonstrate both strong past performance and significant future potential.

The selection committee is likely to be interested in evidence such as:

• Quality and originality of previous research.
• Published scholarship or promising working papers.
• Strength of the proposed research agenda.
• Relevance of the research to public-policy questions.
• Potential to make a significant contribution to the field.
• Quality of recommendations.
• Fit with the Hoover Institution's research environment.

Applicants should therefore present a coherent academic trajectory rather than treating each publication or research project as an isolated achievement.

Practical Considerations

This is a residential position in Stanford, California, not an online fellowship.

Applicants should therefore consider the practical implications of relocating to the United States for the appointment period.

The position also differs from many academic fellowships because Fellows are employed in a research appointment with a substantial salary rather than simply receiving a scholarship award.

The published base salary range is US$169,950–US$230,000 for 12 months, with an additional US$20,000 annual housing allowance. Applicants should review the final appointment terms and any applicable employment, tax and immigration requirements before accepting an offer.

Appointment Duration

Hoover Fellow appointments can last between one and three years.

The longer appointment period can provide scholars with substantial time to develop major research projects, publish multiple pieces of scholarship or complete book-length work.

The exact appointment length will depend on the position and candidate.

Application Timeline

• Application deadline: 17 November 2026
• Deadline time: 11:59 PM Pacific Time
• Expected degree completion for PhD candidates: by 1 September 2027
• Appointment location: Hoover Institution, Stanford, California
• Appointment duration: 1–3 years

Applicants should ensure that recommendation letters and all required application materials are submitted by the stated deadline. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Applicant Tip

Treat this as a research-position application, not a normal scholarship application.

Your CV should establish a clear research trajectory, while your two-page research statement should show where that research is going next.

One useful approach is to connect your previous work directly to your proposed Hoover research:

Previous research → unresolved question → proposed research → expected contribution.

Do not make the research statement a general description of your career ambitions. The committee needs to understand what you actually plan to investigate and why the project is significant.

Your publications or working papers should also be selected strategically. If you have several pieces of work, prioritise those that best demonstrate the research abilities and scholarly direction you want the committee to associate with you.

Finally, choose recommendation writers who can discuss your research ability and future potential in detail. A generic recommendation from someone who knows your work only superficially is less useful than a detailed assessment from a scholar who can speak directly about your research contributions.

Important Note

The Hoover Fellows Program is not intended for applicants seeking admission to a PhD or Master's programme.

Applicants must already hold, or be close to completing, a relevant doctoral degree. It is therefore most appropriate for early-career researchers and scholars rather than prospective postgraduate students.