The Young Initiative Fellowship is a one-year, competitive fellowship awarded to a Ph.D. student (from any university) in the field of political science, with a focus on Global Political Economy (GPE).
The Young Initiative’s mission is to aid in envisioning alternatives to the status quo in the discipline. To that end, we have a vision of GPE as an interdisciplinary academic enterprise that takes as its focus both structures of exclusion and possibilities of political-economic transformation that are often overlooked in traditional academic approaches.
The aim of the Young Initiative Fellowship is to promote scholarly research focusing on areas that are often overlooked in GPE, and/or by scholars who are from backgrounds that are under-represented in the academy.
The Young Fellow will receive a $10,000 fellowship to support dissertation research at their home university, which can include fieldwork, travel, interviews, presentation at a conference, and other expenses.
Have a question about the Young Fellowship? See our responses to frequently asked questions below.
1. Who is eligible to apply for the Young Fellowship?
The fellowship is open to Ph.D students from any university who are enrolled in a Political Science program, have advanced to candidacy, and are conducting dissertation research focused on Global Political Economy (GPE). The Young Initiative particularly encourages applications from scholars whose research explores overlooked areas in GPE and/or who come from backgrounds that are under-represented in the academy.
2. I am enrolled in a Ph.D. program but have not yet advanced to candidacy. Am I eligible to apply?
No, advancing to candidacy is a requirement for the fellowship. You must provide proof of advancement to candidacy as part of your application materials.
3. What types of research projects are most competitive for the fellowship?
The Young Initiative particularly encourages applications from those whose research contributes to the expansion of the field to include alternatives to the status quo in GPE, and those from backgrounds and experiences that are under-represented in the academy. Examples of expanding the field include research related to migration, environmental issues, human-rights-based approaches to development, etc.
4. What are the expectations of the Fellow during the fellowship year?
In addition to conducting your own qualifying research at your home university, as a Fellow you will:
- Lead one week of in-person classes (2 classes) in a course on GPE during the Spring 2026 semester at Occidental College
- Give one public talk about your research on campus
- Work with Young Initiative faculty and students on elements of Young Initiative programming
- Hold one in-person group meeting with students about conducting research, graduate school, etc.
- Submit a short summary of your qualifying research project for the Young Initiative newsletter
5. When will a decision be made after I submit my application?
Applications are due by April 25, 2025. The selection committee will review all complete applications and notify candidates of their decision by early June 2025.
6. Is the fellowship only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents?
No, students from any university globally are eligible to apply. However, please note that the tax implications may differ for non-resident aliens. The fellowship award is generally taxable and reported on a 1099-MISC form for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
7. Can the fellowship funds be used for any type of research expense?
Yes, the $10,000 fellowship can support dissertation research at your home university, which may include fieldwork, travel, interviews, presentation at a conference, living expenses, and other costs associated with conducting research toward a dissertation or publication. You will need to submit a proposed budget as part of your application.
8. What materials do I need to submit for a complete application?
A complete application includes:
- a 2-3 page statement explaining your graduate student career to date, research interests, how the fellowship would help advance your research, and how your work contributes to alternatives to the status quo in GPE;
- a current CV;
- a short-form questionnaire;
- one letter of support from your dissertation chair or faculty mentor;
- proof of advancement to candidacy;
- a proposed budget.
All materials must be submitted by April 25, 2025.
9. Can I defer the fellowship if I am selected but unable to participate during the specified year?
No, the fellowship is designed to support research and activities during the specific academic year indicated in the award. Fellows are expected to fulfill their obligations, including the one-week teaching requirement at Occidental College, during the designated Spring 2026 semester. If you are unable to participate during this period, we encourage you to apply during a future application cycle.
10. May I hold other fellowships or funding concurrently with the Young Fellowship?
Yes, you may hold other fellowships or funding concurrently, as long as the requirements of those awards do not conflict with the obligations of the Young Fellowship. However, you must disclose any other funding sources in your application, especially if they might affect your ability to fulfill the fellowship requirements, such as the one-week teaching component at Occidental College.