Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows: $30,000 to Study Peace
A residential fellowship at the University of Notre Dame for scholars in peace and conflict research, with funding of $30,000 per semester and furnished housing.
This captured cycle appears closed. Use this page for historical guidance unless the official source has reopened the program.
Captured cycle: This page is retained for historical guidance. Confirm whether the program has reopened before planning an application.
Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows: $30,000 to Study Peace
This opportunity is a residential fellowship, not a short remote grant or one-off travel grant. The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame invites scholars with substantial peace-research experience to spend one semester or an academic year at Notre Dame, with an option to join in fellowship with a stipend of $30,000 per semester and furnished housing in Institute apartments.
The official Kroc page says the 2026-27 cycle is closed. It also says applications for 2027-28 open on September 1 (a Tuesday), and advises you to check the site around then for the application link.
This article is written as a practical reader guide: what the fellowship is, what is explicitly required, who it is likely to match, and what to do now if your cycle is currently closed.
At-a-glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | Kroc Institute Visiting Research Fellows Program |
| Host | Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame |
| Location | Notre Dame, Indiana, USA |
| Fellowship amount | $30,000 per semester |
| Housing | Furnished Institute apartments provided at no charge |
| Fellowship term | One semester or full academic year |
| Start months | At the beginning of Notre Dame semester (August or January) |
| Eligibility (as published) | Completed doctoral or equivalent degree; if still in a PhD program, degree must be completed before fellowship begins; prior Kroc fellows wait seven years |
| Eligibility scope | Scholars from around the world |
| Main deliverables | Research project proposal, clear methods/timeline/outputs, recommendation letters |
| Application status (for 2026-27) | Closed |
| Next cycle opening (published on official page) | 2027-28 applications open Tuesday, Sept. 1 |
| Selection process | Review by Kroc faculty committee, then recommendations to Institute Director |
| Official contact | Juan Flores Ramirez, [email protected] |
| Confirmed non-mentioned benefits | Travel support, health coverage, and visa support are not listed as included benefits |
What the fellowship is—and is not
The official page describes this as an in-residence opportunity for scholars focused on peace research. That means you should interpret “research fellowship” here as an intensive period where most of your work is expected to happen at Notre Dame.
What it is:
- Residential, with a real on-campus rhythm (not a virtual program).
- Designed for substantial projects with a clear research plan.
- Structured around active engagement in Kroc’s community, not just data access.
- Open to a broad thematic range under the peace research umbrella.
What it is not:
- Not a travel grant or pass-through support for a short visit.
- Not a generic “any peace-related topic” award; the proposal must connect to Kroc themes.
- Not a one-step “upload and forget” task; fit to Kroc’s program and active participation are central.
If you are trying to decide quickly whether this is worth your time, use this rule of thumb: if your project is strong but disconnected from what you can only do at Notre Dame and within Kroc’s current interests, then this is likely not the right match yet. If your project is strong specifically because of Kroc’s ecosystem and the fixed residency model, it may be worth a serious application.
Why people apply, in plain terms
People are often attracted by the stipend, but the real advantage tends to be threefold.
- Concentrated time
You get a funded window to focus on a substantial piece of research without the usual fragmented schedule.
- Academic environment
The opportunity puts you in an active research community that is already focused on peace and conflict themes.
- Institutional leverage
Being selected for a residential visiting fellowship can strengthen the profile of early and mid-career scholars. The project outputs created during the fellowship often move more quickly when you are in direct conversation with people who can challenge assumptions and spot blind spots early.
The Kroc page makes the expected fit explicit: your proposal should show not only scholarly quality, but also how your project builds on current Kroc research and benefits from being done there.
Is this fellowship worth pursuing for you? A practical decision filter
Use the filter below after reading your current status. If you check several “no” boxes, delay and prepare before applying.
Can you identify one specific scholarly question that genuinely benefits from being developed in a Notre Dame setting, over and above ordinary remote research?
Can you write a 10-page, double-spaced research proposal with a complete argument, methods, sources/data plan, timeline, and expected outputs?
Are you able to commit to a full term in residence (one semester or full academic year) and participate in Kroc intellectual life?
Can you obtain two confidential recommendations that are informed and relevant to your project?
If you are still in a PhD program, can you complete your doctoral degree before fellowship start?
If you answer “yes” to 1 and 2, and 3 to 4, the opportunity usually becomes strong enough to justify a full draft before the application period opens. If you are not sure, treat the cycle as a preparation target rather than an immediate bid.
Official eligibility and constraints
The Kroc page sets strict baseline eligibility language:
- You must have completed a doctoral or equivalent degree.
- If you are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program, you must complete it before the fellowship starts.
- If you have been a Kroc Visiting Research Fellow before, you must wait seven years before applying again.
- Fellows are described as coming from around the world.
No citizenship restriction appears in the published text; however, if your question is legal residency, work permissions, or visa-specific support, you should confirm directly with Kroc because those details are not in the posted requirements.
Research themes: choose one carefully, then make it count
The official page lists four research domains for the 2026-27 cycle. A stronger application does more than copy one theme name. It shows why your project belongs under that theme and what distinct contribution you bring.
Intersection of Gender, Race, Class and Peacebuilding
This theme explicitly mentions interdisciplinary approaches and qualitative/participatory/feminist methods. The description focuses on intersectionality, identity, power, representation, and both direct and structural violence.
If your method is primarily quantitative or archival, this theme can still work, but only if you clearly explain how your design speaks directly to those questions.
International Mediation
This covers international mediation, preventive diplomacy, and national dialogue as conflict prevention and settlement strategies.
If your work is about legal frameworks, multi-level negotiations, or track-two processes, frame it to the theme language. If your proposal is policy-facing, make sure you distinguish practical process analysis from legal analysis.
Peace Accords Matrix (PAM)
This theme is about design and implementation of peace accords with special attention to inclusive peace processes, civil society, transitional justice, and country contexts currently negotiating or implementing accords.
A good submission in this theme usually names specific peace processes, identifies the implementation barrier it will study, and explains what evidence can show that barrier over the fellowship period.
Sustainability, Climate Change, and Peace
The page frames this as innovative interdisciplinary work on peace and sustainability, including environmental peacebuilding in vulnerable regions (including examples such as illegal mining, deforestation, food security, and livelihoods).
Official text also says applicants in this category have priority for full-year applications. So if your project is climate-conflict linked and you are ready for a year, this can be strategic.
What your application must include (verbatim components)
The program requires these four elements as a complete application:
- Cover letter (maximum two pages)
- State whether you are applying for one semester or the full academic year.
- Clearly identify your field/theme choice from the list above.
- Research project proposal (maximum 10 pages, double-spaced, including bibliography)
- Must explain sources, data, methodology, and analysis.
- Must include a timetable and expected products.
- Bibliography is part of the page limit.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae
- Two confidential letters of recommendation
Do not change this list to match your preferences. If an item is missing, you are not submitting a complete application.
What you get if selected
The official Kroc page confirms the following explicit support items:
- $30,000 per semester stipend.
- Housing in furnished Institute apartments at no charge.
- Library access.
- Internet access.
- Document retrieval services.
The page does not explicitly list relocation funds, travel allowances, health insurance, visa support, dependent support, or child-care coverage. If those would be critical to your feasibility, treat them as unknown rather than assumed and ask Kroc directly before you commit.
Step-by-step process: applying in a closed-to-open cycle
Because the cycle in this page is closed, the fastest way to use the fellowship strategically is to prepare early.
Stage 1 — While applications are closed
- Confirm you meet the base degree/PhD timing rule.
- Choose your theme and write a one-paragraph fit rationale that links your project to the exact theme language.
- Draft the 10-page proposal structure (sections, method, outputs).
- Line-edit your CV to an academic-relevant version only.
- Create a list of potential recommender profiles and begin drafting recommendation request emails with a short packet.
At this stage, do not polish for style only. Build architecture first: argument, question, method, outputs, and schedule.
Stage 2 — When applications open
When the Kroc site opens 2027-28 applications on the announced date, prepare these concrete tasks in sequence:
- Review the current call and ensure eligibility language has not changed.
- Finalize your cover letter, including explicit semester vs year selection and the official theme field.
- Finalize a proposal that stays within 10-page double-spaced limit with bibliography included.
- Convert your CV to the required format quickly and consistently.
- Confirm the two recommendation letters are submitted confidentially.
- Keep your submission set in one folder and submit no later than your personal internal deadline.
Stage 3 — After submission
The official page does not publish a fixed decision date or interview schedule. So your post-submission plan should include:
- Allowing extra time for committee review.
- Preparing to follow up professionally if contact details are provided later.
- Keeping a next-step plan for another cycle in case the current round is not successful.
How to write a stronger proposal (what reviewers usually read first)
Reviewers must compare many applicants with similar ambition. Since all applicants face the same page limits and similar materials, clarity is the competitive edge.
Make your proposal do five jobs clearly
- Define the problem in one paragraph
Write an opening paragraph that answers: what is the question, why now, and why this matters.
- Show familiarity with the field and gap
Explain what already exists and what your project does that is missing in current literature or practice.
- Show evidence and execution plan
Describe sources, data strategy, and method. Include how you will handle feasibility issues.
- Show time realism
The timetable should be realistic for one semester or one academic year, not a generic “I will research and publish” statement.
- Show expected outputs
State what your deliverables are (article draft, chapter chapter chapter? conference paper, methods note, policy brief, etc.) so the reader can judge that your fellowship is executable.
Write Kroc fit directly into your proposal, not in a hidden paragraph
The official criteria include excellence, link to existing Kroc research, and participation in intellectual life. If your proposal simply says “this is a good place,” that is too weak.
Instead, name two concrete ways your project benefits from Kroc resources and relationships and show that you are actively seeking institutional engagement.
Use plain language where possible
This is an interdisciplinary review process. Overly technical, field-restricted writing can reduce clarity. Write so a peace studies scholar and a policy-oriented reviewer both understand why your project matters.
Common mistakes that usually hurt applications
- Treating themes as labels only
Using a theme in your title without using theme language in method and outputs often signals weak alignment.
- Ignoring document constraints
The 10-page, double-spaced, bibliography-included limit is easy to exceed. Exceeding instructions weakens trust in execution.
- Under-specifying feasibility
A proposal without a clear timeline looks aspirational but not deliverable.
- Writing a non-residential plan
Because this is a residency fellowship, plans that assume you work mostly off-campus look misaligned.
- Assuming unlisted benefits
Some applicants submit with the expectation of relocation or visa support not specified on the page. That uncertainty can be solved by direct clarification.
- Treating recommendation letters as a fix-all
Letters strengthen your case but cannot compensate for missing core requirements.
Applicant-ready timeline template
Use this template if you want a concrete prep schedule.
If your cycle is currently closed:
- 3–4 months before expected opening: finalize theme and project framing.
- 2–3 months before: draft cover letter and proposal.
- 1 month before: ask recommenders and provide clear deadlines.
- 2 weeks before opening: line-edit proposal and tighten bibliography.
- At opening: switch from drafting to submission checks and final uploads.
During application window:
- Review all sections for consistency with selected theme.
- Confirm that your term (one semester vs full academic year) is explicit in the cover letter.
- Verify that all files are complete and clearly named.
If accepted vs not accepted:
- If accepted, confirm housing start, fellowship term, administrative onboarding, and any onboarding expectations.
- If not accepted, request feedback where possible (if offered) and preserve your best material for the next cycle.
“Is this the right opportunity?” checklist
A simple scoring rubric helps with decision fatigue. Give yourself 0–2 points per item:
- Eligibility certainty: 0 (unclear), 1 (likely), 2 (confirmed)
- Project fit to one Kroc theme: 0, 1, 2
- Residence feasibility: 0, 1, 2
- Proposal readiness: 0, 1, 2
- Recommendation readiness: 0, 1, 2
- Timeline confidence: 0, 1, 2
Score 9–12 means strong candidacy for a serious submission this cycle. Score 5–8 means use the next cycle after improving weak sections. Score below 5 means gather materials first and apply to smaller opportunities first.
This is a realistic triage tool for deciding whether to spend the energy on a full bid.
Frequently asked questions
Are applications for the 2026-27 cycle still accepting submissions?
No. The official Kroc page says the 2026-27 application period has closed.
What is the official deadline for the 2026-27 cycle?
The page lists January 31, 2026 for that cycle.
Can I apply if I am finishing my PhD now?
Only if your doctoral degree is completed before the fellowship begins.
Can I apply for one semester instead of a full year?
Yes. You must specify whether you want one semester or full academic year in the cover letter.
Does this call prefer a specific theme for full-year applications?
For Sustainability, Climate Change, and Peace, full-year applications are explicitly said to receive priority.
Is this restricted to U.S. applicants?
The posted text does not state a citizenship restriction. It describes scholars from around the world.
Who should I contact for additional information?
The official contact is listed as Juan Flores Ramirez at [email protected].
Does the page mention exact decision dates?
No exact decision date is listed in the published call.
What to do next after reading this
If this appears strong for your profile, use this month to complete your best-fit draft with no unnecessary extras. If your objective is a future year, there is a practical reason to avoid waiting until the opening day.
Action plan for the next 7–10 days
- Finalize theme choice and write a 300–500 word rationale paragraph.
- Build a one-slide version of your project plan: question, method, sources, expected outputs.
- Prepare a one-page CV format for external review.
- Ask two potential recommenders whether they can submit confidential references.
Action plan for the next month
- Draft cover letter and 10-page proposal in full.
- Add timeline and output section last, but keep it constrained to the application format.
- Keep a simple tracker: file names, version dates, required signatures, and final checks.
This is a disciplined application. The biggest risk is not weak scholarship quality; it is usually weak match clarity between: project question, residency value, and Kroc themes.