GW Joins New Reagan Institute Program that Puts Early Career Scholars on the Tenure Track Path

The George Washington University joined with four other institutions as founding partners for the new Reagan Institute Society of Fellows, a new multi-year fellowship that provides a new pathway to the tenure track for early-career scholars.

The program is an initiative of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI), a nonprofit created by former president Ronald Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and the principles of individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength and national pride.

The fellowship gives scholars time and support to finish their first major work. Eligible scholars are focused on U.S. political history, America in the world, civic studies, science and technology studies, law and economics and civic thought.

Provost Edward J. Balleisen praised the new venture, saying it creates a pathway for emerging leaders to develop ambitious scholarship, engage with pressing questions facing the world and contribute to universities' teaching missions.

"At GW, we are especially excited to welcome fellows whose work spans some of our historical strengths in political history, public policy, international affairs, law, and technology, and who are keen to figure out the best ways to foster learning in these areas, now that we all are navigating a world inflected by AI tools and platforms," he said.

The other participating institutions are Dartmouth, Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Vanderbilt University.

Applicants from any accredited doctoral program are eligible. Fellows are selected by a committee of faculty representatives from each partner university, based on scholarly merit and a commitment to research that enriches intellectual diversity in their field.

The program includes two fellowship tracks:

Five-Year Appointment: Fellows are recent Ph.D.s who will spend two years in residence at the Reagan Institute in Washington, D.C., with a stipend and research funds to complete a first book or major project. They build relationships across the capital's research and policy community. Fellows then spend three years at a partner university, taking part in the life of their host department, with the goal of a permanent faculty appointment. Upon completing the residency, fellows become eligible for a $250,000 faculty development grant to be dispersed at the time of a tenure-track appointment at a university within the United States. This grant is dispersed to the institution and not to the individual. Fellows are supported in their pursuit of a tenure-track position throughout their appointment.

Fellows receive an $80,000 annual stipend during the two-year Washington residency and an annual salary consistent with that received by assistant professors during the three-year university appointment, plus $5,000 a year in research funds.

Three-Year Appointment: Graduate fellows, doctoral candidates in their final year, spend one year in residence at the Reagan Institute completing the dissertation, followed by a two-year postdoctoral appointment at a partner university.

Graduate fellows receive $60,000 in 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.

Each fellow will be paired with an established scholar at a partner university who advises on research and teaching and can help them navigate the faculty job market. The society will also host an annual summer seminar for first- and second-year Ph.D. students; small research grants will be awarded to advanced doctoral candidates.

Over the course of the appointment, each fellow is expected to complete a full manuscript ready for submission to an academic or high-quality commercial press, or achieve an equivalent distinction in research and publication appropriate in their discipline. Each fellow will design a new course in their area of expertise for our university partners; present at annual scholarly conferences hosted by RRPFI; and participate in meetings and deliver talks.

Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural cohort of fellows, with appointments beginning on Sept. 1. Applications are due Jan. 15. Those applying at the level of fellow must complete their Ph.D. or other terminal degree by Sept. 1, 2027. Graduate fellows must be in the final year of their terminal degree and may be eligible for conversion to Fellow upon the successful defense of their dissertation. International applicants are welcome to apply.

Interested scholars can learn more about the fellow application here and the graduate fellow application here.