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Introduction
Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Fellowships
Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship
The Program
Nuclear security is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. The spread of nuclear weapons to unstable and hostile states, the risk of conflict between nuclear-armed nations, and the potential for terrorist groups to acquire nuclear arms all demand new thinking and creative policy solutions. The Stanton Nuclear Security Fellowship, sponsored by the Stanton Foundation, offers younger scholars studying nuclear security issues the opportunity to spend twelve months at CFR’s offices in New York or Washington, DC, conducting policy-relevant research. This transformational program enables selected fellows to lead a project of their own design, conduct original research, write at least one policy-relevant document, and contribute to the Council's work on nuclear security issues. The fellows will also be mentored by the fellows of CFR's David Rockefeller Studies Program.
There is no better place to bridge the worlds of ideas and policy than CFR, which provides unrivaled access to leading scholars and senior members of the policy community.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Applicants must possess a strong record of professional achievement.
- Applicants must be postdoctoral fellows or junior faculty in a tenure-track position at a recognized university.
- Junior faculty at law schools or with a law degree as their terminal degree are also eligible.
Fellowship Award
The fellowship runs for twelve months, preferably beginning in September. The program awarded a stipend of $137,000 for junior faculty and $101,000 for postdoctoral fellows in 2024-25. Payment will be made in twelve equal monthly installments. Fellows are considered independent contractors rather than employees of CFR and are not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance.
Fellows will be based in either CFR's New York or Washington, DC, office. The fellowship is intended as an in-person experience; fellows should expect to work on-site at least three days per week, including Tuesdays and Thursdays as Anchor Days.
Selection Process
Selection as a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow is based on the following criteria:
- scholarly qualifications
- merits and feasibility of an application proposal that focuses on nuclear security issues. Appropriate potential topics include nuclear terrorism, nuclear proliferation, nuclear weapons, and nuclear force posture
The selection process is highly competitive. CFR awards one or two fellowships each year.
An unrivaled experience in terms of opportunities to build bridges with the policy community and thereby ground research in a real-world context.
How to Apply
The application period for the 2025–26 fellowship cycle has closed. The application period for the 2026–27 fellowship cycle will open in October 2025.
To apply, you will need to submit the following:
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Project proposal
2023–24 Fellow
2024–25 Fellows
Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow
Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow
Alumni
A list of former Stanton nuclear security fellows is available here.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact [email protected]