The Henry L. Stimson Center Junior Fellowship
The Henry L. Stimson Center’s South Asia Program welcomes applications from highly motivated graduating seniors or individuals who have completed their undergraduate or master’s degree in the past year for its 2024-2025 cohort of Junior Fellows.
Purpose
The one-year, full-time fellowship will provide individuals with a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge of security issues in the subcontinent, engage with the South Asia policy community in Washington and the region, and experience working at a dynamic think tank that provides close interaction with senior staff and researchers. Junior Fellows will receive a salary for the full year, as well as health insurance and transit benefits for the duration of the fellowship.
Junior Fellows will support the Stimson South Asia Program’s efforts to research, analyze, and inform policymakers about the evolving dynamics of deterrence, conflict risks, military modernization, and great-power competition in Southern Asia. Fellows will support research, publications, and programmatic efforts (including South Asian Voices, Strategic Learning, and public events and workshops). They will receive professional development opportunities to engage with leading scholars and practitioners in the field, to represent Stimson at scholarly and policy convenings, to hone technical and analytical skills, and to conduct, present, and publish their own research.
The Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship will help emerging analysts develop the research, analytical, writing, and project management skills required to succeed in fields related to peace and security in South Asia. Previous Junior Fellows have gone on to positions with Stimson and at other think tanks, including CSIS and CFR, have joined the U.S. government, and have pursued advanced degrees at MIT, University of Chicago, Stanford, and Columbia.
Selection Criteria
Requirements
- A strong background in South Asian politics, economics, or security; strategic studies and nuclear issues; international relations theory; or other social sciences.
- Demonstrated analytical, research, and writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate with peers in a team environment.
- A record of academic excellence.
- Bachelor’s degree. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States for the full twelve months of the fellowship following graduation.
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Precise editing skills (work experience in a university writing center or newspaper a plus).
- Experience living/working in South Asia and/or working in intercultural settings.
- Hindi, Urdu, or Mandarin (or other relevant) language skills.
- Data science skills.
- Event and/or project management experience.
- Web management experience/skills.
Application Materials
- A one-page cover letter laying out the candidate’s research interests and career goals. Applicants should discuss how they can contribute to the mission and work of the Stimson South Asia Program and how the Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship would contribute to their long-term professional growth.
- A curriculum vitae or resume (two-page maximum) including all educational qualifications, study abroad experience, and extracurricular activities, as well as any work experience to date.
- Unofficial transcript(s) with an academic record of undergraduate and Master’s (if applicable) coursework and study abroad experience.
- One letter of recommendation from a professor or former employer explaining what qualifications, skills, and experiences make the candidate a good fit for the fellowship.
- A writing sample of no more than two pages on a topic related to South Asian political or security issues.
Letters of recommendation should be emailed to southasiaadmin@stimson.org with the subject line “Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship-Last name of the applicant.” All other application materials should be submitted as a single PDF document in the order outlined above and titled “Junior Fellowship Application Materials-Last name of applicant” through Stimson’s online application system.
Selection Process
Completed applications are due February 9, 2024. Interviews will be conducted soon after, and final decisions will be communicated in March. Applicants selected for interview may be required to complete one or more short research, editing, and/or writing assignments as part of the interview process. The fellowship will begin in August 2024 and continue for 12 months.
Stimson is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for the Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship?
Graduating seniors or individuals who completed their undergraduate or master’s studies in September 2023 or later with a demonstrated interest in South Asian peace and security issues are eligible to apply for the Junior Fellowship. The fellowship is meant for early-career scholars and analysts who are looking to develop expertise in the subcontinent’s strategic affairs.
What are some of the Junior Fellows’ responsibilities?
Junior Fellows support a variety of programmatic efforts during their fellowship. As Associate Editors for South Asian Voices, Fellows devote a large portion of their time to editing articles and working with regional authors to prepare pieces for publication. Throughout their fellowship, they will also contribute to a combination of research, events, Strategic Learning course development, simulation facilitation, and other program activities.
Do applicants have to be U.S. citizens to apply for the Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship?
No. All applicants are welcome to apply. Employment is contingent on proof of eligibility for employment in the United States of America for the full 12 months of the fellowship (approximately August 2024 to August 2025).
When is the application due, and where should I submit my application materials?
All application materials (including the letter of recommendation) are due February 9, 2024.
Materials other than letters of recommendation should be submitted as a single PDF document in the order outlined above and titled “Junior Fellowship Application Materials-Last name of applicant” through Stimson’s
If you have issues with uploading documents in the online application system, please send an email to southasiaadmin@stimson.org with the subjection line “Application Materials – Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship.” Please note that applications must still be submitted via the online application system in order to be considered.
Letters of recommendation should be emailed by the recommender to southasiaadmin@stimson.org with the subject line “Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship-Last name of applicant” by February 16, 2024.
Will I be notified if I am not selected for the fellowship?
Yes. All candidates will be notified of their selection or non-selection.
When does the fellowship begin?
Though there is some flexibility, the fellowship will begin roughly in August 2024 and continue through July 2025.
Is the Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship paid?
Yes. Junior Fellows will receive a semi-monthly salary of $1,958.33 per month (based on $47,000 annually). In addition, Stimson will provide a comprehensive package of employee benefits, including health insurance and a transit benefit.
For additional questions or information, please email southasiaadmin@stimson.org with the subject line “Query regarding Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship 2024-2025.”
Will the fellowship be in-person or virtual?
The fellowship is planned to take place in person at Stimson Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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