Serious research rarely stays on the shelf when it is written for the right readers. The IPDS Non-Resident Research Fellowship brings early-career scholars into the work of the Institute’s research centres for an intensive four months, so that research developed in universities is sharpened into analysis that diplomats, officials and practitioners can use.
Fellows are appointed to a centre, propose a line of research that fits both its agenda and their own doctoral or postdoctoral work, and publish through IPDS under the title Non-Resident Research Fellow. Every piece goes through editorial review by the IPDS Research Desk. The Fellowship is fully remote: it is designed for people who are completing or have recently completed a research degree anywhere in the world, and who can give it steady, serious attention alongside their studies or work.
It is a selective programme. We would rather appoint a small number of fellows who publish well-argued, well-sourced work than a large cohort who do not, and the application is designed accordingly.
The Fellowship is for researchers at the stage where their academic work is ready to meet a policy audience. Eligibility is checked at the start of the application.
Required
—A completed MPhil, MS or research master’s degree (18 years of education or the international equivalent), or current enrolment in a PhD programme, or a completed doctorate.
—A degree in a discipline relevant to IPDS research: international relations, political science, peace and conflict, strategic studies, area studies, economics, international law, public policy, history, gender studies, or a related field.
—At least two published pieces — journal articles, book chapters, policy briefs, working papers, or opinion pieces in recognised outlets.
—Written English of publishable standard.
—Around eight to ten hours a week over four months.
We look for
—Research questions that matter for policy, not only for the literature.
—Clear, argued writing that takes a position and supports it with evidence.
—Familiarity with primary sources — official documents, data, interviews, or original-language material.
—Fair treatment of competing positions, in keeping with IPDS’s nonpartisan mandate.
—Reliability: fellows who deliver what they propose, on the schedule they agree.
Applicants still completing an MPhil, or holding a taught master’s or bachelor’s degree, are not yet eligible. We would still like to read your work: Write for IPDS is open to all, and a record built there counts towards a future Fellowship application.
Applicants choose a preferred centre and may name a second. Proposals should connect to the centre’s agenda; the themes below are indicative, not exhaustive.
The Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC, Pakistan–China relations, and China’s role in global governance and development finance.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation institutions, regional security cooperation, connectivity, and multilateral governance in Eurasia.
Central Asia, the Caucasus and Russia; energy, trade corridors, and Pakistan’s relations across Eurasia.
EU foreign and trade policy, GSP+, European security, and Pakistan–Europe engagement.
US foreign and security policy, great-power competition, and the Pakistan–US relationship.
The African Union, regional economic communities, and Pakistan’s engagement with African states.
ASEAN regionalism, the Indo-Pacific, and Pakistan’s partnerships across Southeast Asia.
The Women, Peace and Security agenda, women in diplomacy, and gender-inclusive peacebuilding.
Diplomatic practice, public and cultural diplomacy, and leadership in international affairs.
Peace, Security and Global Governance
Cross-centre research on conflict resolution, Afghanistan and regional stability, multilateralism, and the UN system.
Over the four months, each fellow agrees a research plan with their centre. The standard outputs are:
A policy paper
One substantial paper of 3,000–5,000 words, developed from your proposal with the centre and published in the IPDS research series.
Two commentaries
One in each half of the Fellowship: 800–1,500-word pieces on current developments in your field, written for a wide policy readership.
Centre research
Contributions to the centre’s ongoing work, such as the IPDS bilateral relations trackers, briefings, and literature reviews, agreed with the centre lead.
Seminars
Participation in at least one online IPDS seminar or roundtable, where you present your work in progress.
Check-ins
A short monthly conversation with the centre lead, and a brief written update at the mid-point and at the close of the Fellowship.
Deadlines are set at the start of the Fellowship around each fellow’s academic calendar, including thesis submission and examination periods.
What the Fellowship offers
The Fellowship is honorary. What it offers is what matters most at this stage of a research career: published work, rigorous feedback, and a serious institutional affiliation.
Published, citable work
Bylined publications with an established institute — a policy paper and two commentaries — that strengthen your CV, your thesis defence, and applications for doctoral, postdoctoral and policy positions.
Research that serves your degree
Your proposal can build directly on your thesis. Fellows can use the four months to turn a chapter into policy analysis, test their argument with practitioners, or open a new line of enquiry. You keep the copyright in your work.
Serious editorial review
Every piece is read and edited by the IPDS Research Desk. You will get specific, written feedback on argument, evidence and clarity — the kind of review that improves academic writing as much as policy writing.
A title and a profile
Appointment as a Non-Resident Research Fellow of your centre, with a profile on the IPDS website for the duration of the Fellowship.
Formal recognition
On completion, a Certificate of Fellowship and a letter from IPDS setting out your role and published outputs, which you can submit to your university, supervisor or future employers.
A platform and a network
Opportunities to speak at IPDS online seminars, and consideration for invitations to IPDS dialogues and forums, alongside diplomats, officials and scholars from Pakistan and abroad.
A route to peer review
Fellows are encouraged to develop their policy paper into an article for the Journal of Peace and Diplomacy, IPDS’s double-blind peer-reviewed journal, subject to its normal review.
An international cohort
Colleagues from universities across several countries and disciplines, working on connected questions.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in batches. We aim to contact shortlisted applicants within six weeks of receiving a complete application.
1
Application
Submit the form below with your proposal, statement of purpose, CV, writing sample and proof of degree or enrolment. Incomplete applications cannot be sent.
2
Review
The Research Desk and the relevant centre read every eligible application, assessing the quality of the writing sample, the strength and relevance of the proposal, and the fit with the centre.
3
Interview
Shortlisted applicants are invited to a 30-minute online interview with the centre lead. We contact your referee at this stage.
4
Offer
Successful applicants receive a letter of appointment setting out the agreed research plan, outputs and schedule.
5
Onboarding
An introductory call with the centre and the Research Desk, covering editorial standards, the publication calendar, and your first commentary.
—The Fellowship is honorary and unpaid. It carries no stipend, salary, travel or visa support, and it does not create an employment relationship with IPDS.
—It is entirely remote. Fellows work from their own country and time zone; seminars are held online.
—The appointment runs for four months. It may be extended by mutual agreement, and may be ended early if agreed outputs are not delivered.
—Fellows retain copyright in their work and grant IPDS a non-exclusive right to publish and disseminate it.
—The Fellow title may be used only in connection with work done under the Fellowship, and only during the appointment.
—Fellows disclose any affiliation or funding that could reasonably be seen as a conflict of interest with their IPDS work.
The application takes around 45 minutes if your documents are ready. Please prepare, before you begin: your CV; a single-authored writing sample of at least 1,500 words; proof of your degree or enrolment; a 500–800-word research proposal; a 300–500-word statement of purpose; and the details of one academic referee.
