Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship

Collage of three images: postdoc scholar Ketian Zhang holding a microphone; colonade at Encina Hall's entranceway; postdoc scholar Jeremy Menchik in Indonesia.

Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship on Contemporary Asia

Supporting the next generation of Asia scholars

Fellowship Update

The 2026-27 Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship on Contemporary Asia is now accepting applications through December 1, 2025. Scroll down to learn more and apply.

About the Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship

Each year, the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (Shorenstein APARC) offers two postdoctoral fellowship positions to junior scholars for research and writing on contemporary Asia. The primary research areas focus on political, economic, or social change in the Asia-Pacific region (including Northeast, Southeast, and South Asia), or on international relations and international political economy in the region. The fellowships are made possible through the generosity of APARC’s benefactor, Walter H. Shorenstein.

Appointments begin in the fall quarter of the academic year. The fellowships are limited to recent PhDs: applicants cannot be more than three years past the awarding of their doctoral degree when the fellowship starts. They must have their degree conferral and official approval/certification no later than June 30 prior to the fellowship start date (that is, no later than June 30, 2026, for 2026-27 fellowships starting in fall 2026).

Postdoctoral fellows are required to be in residence for the duration of the appointment and participate in Center activities throughout the academic year. Fellows are also required to present their research findings in Center seminars and to participate in the Center’s publication program. The postdoctoral fellowship is a 10-month appointment with a salary commensurate with Stanford policy, based on the annual rate of $80,000 (to be prorated for the 10-month appointment), plus up to $3,000 for research expenses.

The institutional support I've received has provided me both a sense of community and much intellectual stimulation, as well as invaluable assistance in securing the success I've had on the job market.

Jeffrey Weng

Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellow in Contemporary Asia, 2020-21

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must be recent PhDs and cannot be more than three years past the awarding of their doctoral degree when the fellowship begins.
Must have dissertation submission and approval for conferral by June 30, 2026.
Certification of degree completion and conferral must be submitted no later than August 31, 2026.

Application Process

The Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship on Contemporary Asia is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 fellowship cycle. All applications are due December 1, 2025.

I. Fill Out the Following Online Application Form:

Application Form

II. Upload the Following Materials to the Online Form, in PDF Format:

Curriculum vitae
A short research statement (not to exceed five typed pages, double-spaced), which describes the research and writing to be undertaken during the fellowship period, as well as the proposed publishable product.

III. Submit the Completed Application Form

IV. Submit Letters of Recommendation

Email THREE (3) letters of recommendation (in PDF format) to shorensteinfellowships@stanford.edu. We will accept official letters of recommendation from the applicant, a dossier service, or directly from references.

Application Deadline

All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Application Confirmation

Once we have received all components of your application, including three recommendations, we will send you an email confirming the completion of your application. If you have not received this email, you may send an email checking your application status.

Note: Please be advised that Stanford University will close for winter break from December 22, 2025, through January 4, 2026, and response time to inquiries during this period may be delayed.

Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from diverse backgrounds that would bring additional dimensions to the university's research and teaching missions. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, culture, socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical capabilities, and life experience.

Contact

For questions about the Shorenstein postdoctoral fellowship and the fellowship application process, please contact Fellowship Coordinator Kristen Lee at shorensteinfellowships@stanford.edu or kllee@stanford.edu.

For information about being a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford, such as housing, cost of living, and other resources, please visit the website of Stanford's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

For questions and information related to international scholars, please visit the website of Stanford’s Bechtel International Center.