About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
For the 2026–2027 academic year, applications are open exclusively for the following fellowship tracks:
Artificial Intelligence in Strategic Stability and Military Competition
Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence
The application deadline is 8 June 2026.
Programme Overview and Academic Environment
The CISAC Fellowship programme offers selected fellows the opportunity to spend an academic year conducting advanced research and scholarly writing within a collaborative intellectual environment at Stanford University.
Fellows work closely with leading faculty members, policy experts, and researchers on issues related to international security, technology policy, strategic competition, and global governance.
The programme encourages interdisciplinary engagement and combines academic research with practical policy applications. Fellows are expected to actively contribute to seminars, workshops, simulations, and collaborative discussions throughout their residency.
Fellowship Objectives and Research Focus
The fellowship programme is grounded in the belief that rigorous scholarship, intellectual exchange, and openness to innovative ideas can contribute to building a safer and more stable world.
The fellowship specifically aims to:
Advance research on complex international security challenges
Explore the implications of artificial intelligence on global stability and military competition
Strengthen connections between academic scholarship and policymaking
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars and practitioners
Support development of evidence-based policy solutions
The programme provides fellows with time, mentorship, and institutional support to produce meaningful scholarly and policy contributions.
Research and Professional Expectations
Fellows are expected to maintain full participation and engagement throughout the academic year. The programme combines independent research with active involvement in the CISAC intellectual community.
Core fellowship requirements include:
Completing an Individual Development Plan (IDP) during the first month
Meeting monthly with assigned faculty mentors
Attending and participating in weekly research seminars
Coordinating one seminar panel discussion
Participating in fellowship dinners and scholarly networking events
Engaging in the Fellows’ Policy Workshop series
Producing significant academic research outputs
Writing at least one public-facing policy or media article
Submitting quarterly fellowship progress reports
Producing at least one policy-focused simulation or testimony document
Participating in academic simulations when selected
These expectations ensure that fellows contribute both academically and professionally to the broader research environment.
Faculty Mentorship and Academic Support
A defining feature of the programme is its strong faculty mentorship structure. Fellows receive one-on-one guidance from faculty members affiliated with CISAC and the Freeman Spogli Institute.
Mentorship support includes:
Research planning and refinement
Career development guidance
Policy engagement discussions
Intellectual collaboration and scholarly feedback
Support for publication and professional growth
This mentorship model helps fellows strengthen both academic and policy-oriented dimensions of their work.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Policy Engagement
The fellowship programme creates opportunities for interaction between researchers, policymakers, scientists, and security practitioners. Fellows are encouraged to bridge the gap between scholarship and real-world policy application.
Fully Funded Masters
Programme activities include:
Policy workshops and simulations
Congressional testimony exercises
National Security Council simulation sessions
Interdisciplinary seminars and debates
Collaborative discussions on emerging global security issues
The focus on applied policy engagement distinguishes the fellowship as both an academic and practical leadership opportunity.
Research Areas and Emerging Themes
The 2026–2027 fellowship cycle places strong emphasis on the geopolitical and strategic implications of artificial intelligence.
Key themes include:
AI and military competition
Strategic stability in technologically advanced conflicts
International governance of artificial intelligence
Security implications of emerging technologies
Geopolitical power dynamics shaped by AI development
The programme encourages innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how technological transformation is reshaping international relations and global security frameworks.
Scholarly Outputs and Publications
Fellows are expected to produce tangible academic and policy outputs during their residency.
Expected deliverables include:
Dissertation or book chapters
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Policy briefs and analysis papers
Public commentary or opinion articles
Simulation and strategic policy documents
The programme supports fellows in translating complex research into accessible policy insights for broader public and institutional audiences.
Intellectual Community and Professional Network
The fellowship provides access to a globally respected intellectual community composed of scholars, policy practitioners, scientists, and international affairs experts.
Benefits of participation include:
Exposure to leading international security research
Networking with global policy and academic leaders
Access to interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
Participation in high-level academic and policy discussions
Long-term integration into a prestigious alumni network
The programme is recognised as a significant platform for developing future leaders in international security and technology policy.
Institutional Location and Environment
The fellowship is hosted at:
Encina Hall
Stanford University
616 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, California, USA
The campus environment provides fellows with access to extensive academic resources, policy centres, and collaborative research communities.
Application and Selection Process
Applications for the 2026–2027 fellowship cycle are currently open for eligible candidates whose work aligns with the designated thematic areas.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the 8 June 2026 deadline. Selection is highly competitive and based on scholarly excellence, research relevance, and alignment with CISAC’s mission.
Conclusion
The CISAC Fellowships 2026–2027 at Center for International Security and Cooperation offer an exceptional opportunity for scholars and professionals interested in international security, artificial intelligence, and strategic policy research.
By combining rigorous scholarship, mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy engagement, the fellowship programme supports the next generation of experts working to address some of the world’s most pressing security and geopolitical challenge
How to apply