Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA) - Fellowship Program

A proposed fellowship must hold the promise of enriching public life in the United States by advancing the understanding of foreign countries, cultures and trends. Public service, social activism or contribution to wider knowledge in the United States is our ultimate purpose, from a belief the public benefits from the wisdom and experience fellows acquire.

Given our interest in achieving wide geographic distribution over time, we generally are less inclined to select projects in countries where we currently or very recently have had fellows. We are naturally drawn to areas of the world and topics that are less well understood and are relevant to the United States. Candidates are encouraged to browse ICWA’s archives to see the kind of projects that the institute has supported.

• Fellowships are not scholarships. We do not support degree programs at universities, the writing of books or research projects aimed at answering specific questions in a particular academic discipline.
• While we expect candidates to design projects of topical interest, fellowships are not aimed at covering news events. We do not send fellows into war zones or places where intense security concerns prevent them from interacting with the local population.
• Fellowships are not for freelance journalism. Fellows are expected to spend their time researching and writing dispatches for the institute, although research may sometimes later be used for articles and books with permission from the executive director.   
• ICWA weighs all proposals with no restrictions on topics or regions.

What you’ll be doing

This is a writing fellowship. Fellows are required to produce monthly dispatches made available on our website and email to institute supporters and other interested parties, including family, friends and professional associates of the fellows. Fellows work closely with the executive director, who serves as writing coach, editor and mentor.

While many fellows go on to pursue political or social causes at home and abroad, the purpose of a fellowship is to learn about other societies, not to change them. Fellows are not permitted to engage in overtly political activities during their fellowships. The institute does not accept any government funds. Fellows must preserve that independence in letter and in spirit.

Fellows should not expect to return to the United States during the two years of their fellowships. ICWA fellowships are immersive; a vital component of the fellowship experience is remaining without interruption in the area of study for the duration of a fellowship.

How to apply

Those interested in applying for an Institute of Current World Affairs Fellowship should send an initial letter of interest and resume or CV in English to the institute via email. (Post is also accepted.)

In your letter of interest, tell us what you would do if you had a two-year, self-designed fellowship overseas and why you’re the right person to carry it out. There is no fixed length for the letter of interest. Please indicate your age, as applicants must be under the age of 36 at the time the letter of interest is due.

The strongest applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed application.

Selected fellows are expected to depart for their fellowships within six months of their selection.

We are unable to respond to all applications but will consider all those that fit our fellowship requirements.

Email: apply@icwa.org

For applications via post: 
Institute of Current World Affairs
1818 N St. NW, Ste 460
Washington, DC 20036