Reagan Institute Launches Fellowship for Early Career Scholars

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (Reagan Institute) today launched the Reagan Institute Society of Fellows, a new multi-year fellowship program designed to help early career scholars secure tenure-track positions. The program, which will begin appointments on September 1, 2027, is now accepting applications with a deadline of January 15, 2027. The Reagan Institute Society of Fellows is a collaborative effort between five universities: Dartmouth, George Washington University, The Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Vanderbilt University. These founding partners are committed to providing a structured pathway from dissertation completion to faculty appointment, addressing a critical gap in support for promising young scholars.

The Reagan Institute Society of Fellows offers two fellowship tracks: a five-year fellowship appointment for recent Ph.D.s who will spend two years in residence at the Reagan Institute in Washington, D.C., and a three-year graduate fellowship for doctoral candidates in their final year. Fellows in both tracks receive substantial financial support, including an annual stipend and research funds. Fellows in the five-year fellowship track will receive an $80,000 annual salary during their two-year Washington residency and a $90,000 minimum annual salary during their three-year faculty appointment at a partner university. Graduate Fellows will receive $60,000 annual salary during their one-year Washington residency and a salary and benefits package commensurate with the rate offered to postdoctoral fellows at the host institution during their two-year university appointment.

The Reagan Institute Society of Fellows is designed to provide early-career scholars with the time and resources necessary to complete their first major work, such as a book or significant research project. The program is open to scholars focused on U.S. political history, America in the world, civic thought, science and technology studies, and law and economics, and applicants from any accredited doctoral program are eligible. The selection process for fellows is conducted by a committee of faculty representatives from each partner university, based on scholarly merit and a commitment to enriching intellectual diversity within their field.

The Reagan Institute Society of Fellows is part of a broader commitment by the Reagan Institute to support the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of intellectual pluralism. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing President Reagan's legacy and principles, including individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, and the importance of a vibrant and competitive academic environment. RRPFI's mission includes delivering impactful public affairs programming, hosting policy convenings and projects, and supporting scholarly initiatives and educational programs.

The Reagan Institute Society of Fellows is a significant initiative for the Reagan Institute, aligning with the organization's commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive academic community. The program's launch marks a collaborative effort among leading universities committed to nurturing the next generation of scholars and ensuring that their work contributes to both the advancement of knowledge and the strengthening of democratic institutions.