Apply for a Funded DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship at SAIS Johns Hopkins 2026: Get Up to $6,000 per Month Plus $3,000 Research Allowance

If you finished your doctorate recently and your work sits at the crossroads of international relations, history, or security studies, this fellowship is one you should not scroll past. The DAAD Postdoctoral Fellows program at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University, brings scholars to Washington, D.C., for nine to twelve months to research “The United States, Europe, and World Order” with close ties to the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs. It’s funded, focused, and plugged directly into the networks of policymakers and scholars who actually shape transatlantic strategy.

This is not a generic postdoc. You’ll be embedded in SAIS seminars, peer review groups, and workshops; expected to finish a policy-focused research paper tied to the theme; and invited to collaborate on a German–U.S. conference and a summer workshop on grand strategy. If your project speaks to U.S.–German relations, international security, statecraft, or historical perspectives on strategy, this fellowship gives you time, space, professional visibility, and modest resources to produce a piece of scholarship that can get noticed.

Below you’ll find everything you need: a quick facts table, a vivid breakdown of what’s provided, who should apply, concrete application advice, a realistic timeline, required materials and how to prepare them, review priorities, common pitfalls and fixes, FAQs, and—most importantly—the clear next steps with the application link.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

Think of this as a residency that combines academic seriousness with practical reach. Financially, fellows receive a monthly salary of up to $6,000, which is intended to cover living expenses in Washington, D.C. That salary is taxable under U.S. rules. In addition, fellows can access up to $3,000 in research funding for travel to archives, data collection, conference attendance, or small research purchases. Non-U.S. fellows are provided one economy roundtrip airfare to the U.S., and each fellow receives a ticket for travel to the program’s conference in Germany.

Beyond money, the fellowship’s biggest asset is access. You will have workspace, library privileges across Johns Hopkins, internet and computer access, and integration into SAIS programming. That means seminar audiences that include advanced graduate students, faculty with policy experience, and visiting practitioners—people who read policy papers and pass them along where they matter. You’ll be expected to complete a paper tied to the theme, which makes the fellowship ideal for scholars who want a publishable or policy-ready product from a concentrated year in residence.

The institutional link to the Helmut Schmidt Distinguished Visiting Professor and the Kissinger Center also means your work can get exposure through workshops, a Germany-based conference, and a summer training workshop that brings early-career academics and policymakers together. If you value both historical depth and contemporary policy engagement—if you can write for both academic and practitioner audiences—this place rewards that literacy.

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is aimed at scholars who can straddle academic depth and policy relevance. Ideal applicants will have a doctorate (or be at the postdoctoral level), demonstrated research capacity, and strong English skills. The selection leans toward early-career scholars—typically within six years of finishing their dissertation—but exceptions are possible for outstanding candidates.

Picture a few concrete fits: a historian who’s traced the evolution of NATO strategy and now wants to connect archival evidence to contemporary security debates; a political scientist analyzing transatlantic coalition behavior during crises; a scholar of international law examining how U.S.–German legal cooperation shapes multilateral institutions; or a researcher from an African studies background exploring how U.S. and German foreign policies influence African security initiatives. If your work speaks to U.S.–Germany ties, transatlantic order, grand strategy, or historically informed statecraft, this fellowship is a direct match.

EU applicants should be currently affiliated with a German university or research institution and able to take a J-1 visa. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply too. Remember: the program expects you to be fluent in English and able to participate in seminars and oral presentations. If your project benefits from proximity to U.S. policymakers, D.C. archives, think tanks, or transatlantic networks, list those benefits explicitly in your application.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Good applications stand out because they tell a crisp story: what you will do, why it matters now, and how SAIS will make that work possible. Here are seven concrete strategies that improve your odds.

1. Lead with a tight problem statement. Open your research statement with a single paragraph that names the research question, explains why it matters for U.S.–Europe relations, and sketches your method. Reviewers should be able to repeat your core claim after one reading.

2. Show fit with SAIS and the Kissinger Center. Don’t assume reviewers will connect your topic to SAIS programming automatically. Name faculty, seminars, archives, policy workshops, or practitioner contacts at SAIS that will make your project stronger. If you’ve had prior contacts—an email conversation or an invitation to present—mention it.

3. Craft a policy-ready deliverable. The fellowship expects a research paper related to the theme. Frame that deliverable for dual audiences: a manuscript suitable for a journal or a policy brief tailored to practitioners. Sketch your dissemination plan—where you’ll present, who will read it, and how it will influence debates.

4. Use archival or empirical detail to prove feasibility. If you plan to use archives in D.C., German archives, or specific datasets, name them. If you need interviews, outline whom you’ll approach and how you’ll secure access. Feasibility beats vague ambition every time.

5. Budget your $3,000 research funds with discipline. Suggest how you’ll spend the money—two short archival trips, language research assistance, or survey costs—and explain why those expenditures are necessary for the paper you promise.

6. Secure three strong references early. Choose referees who can speak to both your scholarly rigor and capacity for collegial engagement in a policy environment—supervisors, postdoc mentors, or practitioners who know your work.

7. Polish voice and accessibility. Write for an intelligent but not hyper-specialized audience. Define technical terms, avoid field jargon, and make your significance crystal clear. A clear, well-edited 3–5 page statement reads like competence.

Application Timeline (Realistic and Doable)

Deadlines creep up. Work backward from January 14, 2026, and build in buffer time for institutional sign-offs and referees.

• December 15–31, 2025: Final edits and complete dossier. Ask referees to submit or confirm letters early. Finalize preferred dates for appointment.
• November 15–December 15: Circulate drafts of your research statement and statement of interest to at least two trusted peers—one in your subfield and one outside it. Incorporate feedback.
• October 15–November 15: Contact potential references and SAIS faculty you’d like to collaborate with. Confirm institutional affiliation documentation if you are in the EU and affiliated with a German institution.
• September–October: Draft and revise the 3–5 page research statement, CV, and statement of interest. Start assembling contact details for your three references.
• August–September: Create a detailed one-page timeline for the fellowship year—what you’ll do month-by-month—and a preliminary use plan for the $3,000 research allowance.

Submit at least 48 hours before the official deadline. Technical glitches happen and late submissions are usually not accepted.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The application requires a compact but persuasive packet in English. Prepare each item as if it will be read by busy scholars and policy experts.

• Statement of interest (1 page): Explain why you want this fellowship, what you will gain from SAIS, and how you will contribute to the Kissinger Center’s programming.
• Research statement (3–5 pages, double-spaced): This is your core document. Start with a one-paragraph summary, then section your statement into background/significance, research question(s), methods and sources, timeline, and expected outputs. Include a short bibliography if relevant.
• Preferred appointment dates: Choose start and end dates between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Be realistic about when you can relocate to D.C.
• Curriculum vitae: Focus on publications, fellowships, teaching, language skills, and relevant grants.
• Three references: Provide full contact information and make sure referees expect the request. Let them know the deadline and the fellowship’s emphasis on policy-engaged scholarship.

Treat your research statement like a pitch. The selection committee wants to see a project that can be advanced to a strong paper during the residency.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Selection panels reward clarity, feasibility, and engagement. The strongest packages combine an original question with a believable plan for getting results during the fellowship year.

• Originality plus a clear link to the theme. Your topic should speak directly to “The United States, Europe, and World Order” and do so in a way that adds new evidence, chronology, or theoretical framing.
• Feasibility and a timeline. Demonstrate where you’ll work, what sources you’ll use, and how each month contributes to the final product.
• Engagement with SAIS audiences. Describe seminars you’ll join, workshops you’ll help run, or classes where you could present work-in-progress. Commit to being a collegial presence.
• Policy relevance. Even if your work is primarily historical, draw lines to current debates. Tell the committee why policymakers or think tanks should care.
• Strong references that corroborate your claims about independence, productivity, and collegiality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

Applications often stumble on avoidable missteps. Here’s what to watch for.

1. Vague goals. If your research statement reads like a wish list, tighten it. Define a single research question and list two to three concrete methods or sources you’ll use.
2. No SAIS fit. If you don’t explain why SAIS is the right home for your project, the committee may doubt the match. Name people, resources, or events at SAIS you’ll use.
3. Overambitious scope. Don’t promise a book in a year. Propose a single paper and feasible ancillary outputs (a workshop presentation, policy brief).
4. Weak referees. Choose letter writers who know your work and can speak to both your scholarship and your ability to participate actively in an academic community.
5. Last-minute submissions. Technical problems and rushed language will hurt you. Start early, and submit at least two days before the deadline.
6. Ignoring logistics. EU applicants need to be affiliated with a German institution and able to take a J-1 visa. Explain your visa and institutional status if relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Applicants must hold a doctorate or be at the postdoctoral level, show research capacity, and be fluent in English. Preference is given to candidates no more than six years post-dissertation, but the fellowship is not strictly limited to that window. EU candidates should be affiliated with a German university or research institution and be eligible for a J-1 visa. U.S. applicants are welcome.

Q: What does the stipend cover?
A: Fellows receive a monthly salary of up to $6,000 (subject to U.S. taxes) which is meant to cover living expenses in Washington, D.C. Fellows must arrange their own housing. A basic health care package is available; premiums for dependents can sometimes be covered at set rates.

Q: Is the research allowance flexible?
A: Yes. The up-to-$3,000 research allowance can be used for travel to archives, data purchase, small field trips, or other project-essential expenses. You should justify planned uses in your research statement.

Q: Are travel costs covered?
A: Non-U.S. fellows receive one economy roundtrip airfare to the U.S. Fellows also receive an economy airfare to attend the program’s conference in Germany. Plan local travel, visa fees, and housing costs into your budget.

Q: Do I need to take a visa?
A: Non-U.S. applicants will need appropriate visa documentation. EU applicants should be eligible for a J-1 visa. Start visa conversations early—embassies and paperwork take time.

Q: Will I have teaching obligations?
A: The fellowship focuses on research and participation in SAIS events. Teaching is not a required component, though you may be invited to present guest lectures or run workshops.

Next Steps and How to Apply

Ready to apply? Here’s a short checklist to get you moving:

1. Decide your preferred appointment dates between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
2. Draft and refine your statement of interest and the 3–5 page research statement.
3. Update your CV and confirm three referees.
4. If you’re an EU applicant, secure a letter of affiliation from your German institution and confirm J-1 eligibility.
5. Make a simple one-page timeline and a short budget note for the $3,000 research funds.
6. Submit your complete application by January 14, 2026—ideally 48 hours before the deadline.

Apply Now

Ready to apply? Visit the official application page and submit your materials here: https://dossier.interfolio.com/apply/177831

For further background on DAAD fellowships and program details, consult the DAAD Fellows pages linked from the SAIS program descriptions. If you have specific questions about fit or logistics, reach out to the Kissinger Center at SAIS or the DAAD Fellows administration; they can clarify affiliation, visa, and health coverage questions.

This fellowship is a concentrated opportunity to write a focused, policy-relevant paper while being plugged into transatlantic conversations. If your project can benefit from a year in Washington, in the company of policy-savvy scholars and visiting practitioners, this is worth the careful application work. Start now—craft a persuasive, tightly argued research statement, gather excellent references, and make sure your application shows both intellectual originality and practical plan for delivery.