Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows: $30,000 to Study Peace

The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame is one of the world’s leading centers for the study of the causes of violent conflict and strategies for sustainable peace. It is not just a research center; it is a community.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Kroc Institute is inviting scholars to join this community as Visiting Research Fellows.

This is a residential fellowship. You are expected to move to South Bend, Indiana, and become an active part of the intellectual life of the institute. In exchange, you get a stipend of $30,000 per semester (up to $60,000 for the full year), a furnished apartment, and library access to one of the best research universities in the United States.

But the real value isn’t the money. It’s the people. You will be down the hall from giants in the field of peace studies. You will present your work-in-progress to a room full of critical but supportive peers. You will have the time and space to finish that book manuscript or launch that major new research project.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

Time to Write In the modern academy, time is the scarcest resource. Between teaching loads and administrative committee work, research often gets pushed to the margins. This fellowship buys you time. You have no teaching obligations. Your only job is to write and think.

A World-Class Library The Hesburgh Library at Notre Dame is legendary. As a fellow, you have full faculty privileges. If you need a book that isn’t there, Interlibrary Loan will get it for you. You also get access to the Kroc Institute’s specialized archives.

Housing and Community Moving for a fellowship can be a headache. Kroc solves this by providing furnished apartments in the “Visiting Fellows Complex.” This means you don’t have to hunt for a lease. It also means you live next door to the other fellows, creating a natural cohort for dinner parties and late-night debates.

Integration with Faculty You are assigned a “Faculty Host”—a permanent Kroc faculty member who works in your area. They act as your mentor and connector, introducing you to other scholars and helping you navigate the university.

Who Should Apply

The Kroc Institute is interdisciplinary. They welcome historians, sociologists, political scientists, theologians, anthropologists, and psychologists.

The Ideal Candidate:

• The Book Finisher: You have a draft of your book, but it needs a final polish. A semester at Kroc is the perfect finish line.
• The New Project Launcher: You just finished a major project and want to spend a year reading and formulating the next big idea.
• The “Pracademic”: You are a practitioner (e.g., a diplomat or NGO worker) with a PhD who wants to step back and theorize your experience.

2026-2027 Research Themes: Your proposal must align with one of these themes:

1. Gender, Race, Class, and Peacebuilding: Intersectionality in conflict.
2. International Mediation: How do we stop wars?
3. The Peace Accords Matrix (PAM): Using data to track the implementation of peace deals.
4. Sustainability, Climate Change, and Peace: The nexus of environmental degradation and conflict.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

I have reviewed many fellowship applications, and here is how to stand out for Kroc.

1. Connect to the “Kroc DNA” Don’t just write a generic proposal. Show why you need to be at Kroc specifically. Mention specific faculty members you want to talk to. Mention specific resources (like the Peace Accords Matrix database) you want to use. If your project could be done anywhere, they won’t fund you to come to Notre Dame.

2. The “Peace” Angle This sounds obvious, but many applicants forget it. You might be a brilliant historian of 18th-century France, but if you don’t explicitly frame your project in terms of peace and conflict studies, you will be rejected. Use the vocabulary of the field.

3. Be Realistic Don’t promise to write two books in one semester. It makes you look naive. Promise to write two chapters or one article. A feasible plan is better than an ambitious fantasy.

4. The Cover Letter Matters This is your chance to explain your trajectory. Why is now the right time for this fellowship? “I am at a pivot point in my career…” or “I need access to the Notre Dame archives to complete Chapter 4…”

5. Diversity of Thought Kroc values diverse perspectives. If you are from the Global South, or if your research focuses on underrepresented communities, highlight this. They want a cohort that looks like the world.

Application Timeline

November-December 2025: The Draft

• Action: Write your 10-page project proposal. This is the most important document. It needs to be rigorous, clear, and compelling.
• Action: Contact your recommenders. Give them your CV and a draft of your proposal so they can write a strong letter.

January 1-15, 2026: The Polish

• Action: Ask a colleague to read your proposal. Ask them: “Is the argument clear? Is the connection to peace studies explicit?”
• Action: Check your CV. Is it up to date?

January 31, 2026: The Deadline

• Action: Submit via Interfolio. Do not wait until 11:59 PM.

March 2026: The Decision

• Action: You will usually hear back by mid-March. If you are waitlisted, send a polite email reaffirming your interest.

Required Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): No page limit, but keep it relevant.
• Research Project Proposal: Max 10 pages (double-spaced). Include a bibliography (which doesn’t count towards the page limit).
• Cover Letter: Max 2 pages.
• Two Letters of Recommendation: Must be uploaded by the recommenders via Interfolio.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Theoretical Rigor + Practical Relevance The best Kroc projects bridge the gap. They are theoretically sophisticated (citing the relevant literature) but also care about the real world. If your project is purely abstract philosophy with no connection to lived experience, it might struggle. If it is purely policy analysis with no theory, it might also struggle. Find the balance.

Engagement Plan In your cover letter, say how you will contribute to the community. “I plan to organize a workshop on X…” or “I would love to guest lecture in Professor Y’s class…” Show that you will be a “good citizen” of the institute.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The “Generic Fellowship” Application Do not copy-paste the application you sent to Harvard or Princeton. If you accidentally leave “I am excited to come to Cambridge” in your letter to Notre Dame, you are instantly disqualified.

Ignoring the Themes If your research is about “Economic History of the Roman Empire” and you try to shoehorn it into “Climate Change and Peace,” the committee will see right through it. Be authentic.

Over-Jargon The committee is interdisciplinary. A sociologist will read your political science proposal. A theologian will read your anthropology proposal. Avoid field-specific jargon that makes your work inaccessible to outsiders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my family? Yes. The apartments are suitable for families, and Notre Dame is a family-friendly campus. However, the stipend is fixed, so you need to budget accordingly.

Do I have to be a US citizen? No. Kroc welcomes scholars from all over the world. They will sponsor your J-1 Visa.

Can I apply if I haven’t finished my PhD yet? Yes, but you must have your defense scheduled. You must have the PhD in hand before the fellowship starts in August. If you don’t, the offer will be rescinded.

Is health insurance included? No, but you can purchase it through the university plan.

How to Apply

1. Go to Interfolio: The application is hosted on Interfolio.
2. Create an Account: It’s free.
3. Upload Documents: PDF format is best.
4. Submit: You will get a confirmation email.

The Kroc Institute is a special place. It is one of the few places in the world where “Peace” is treated as a serious, rigorous academic discipline. If you want to be part of that conversation, this is the place to be.