Apply for the Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Scholars Program 2027–2028 in New York, USA @2028 in New York, USA

The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) is inviting applications for its prestigious Visiting Scholars Program, offering social science researchers the opportunity to spend time in residence at the Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.

Recognized as one of the leading residential fellowships in the social sciences, the programme provides scholars with dedicated time and space to advance research, conduct data analysis, and complete major writing projects while engaging with an interdisciplinary community of researchers.

The Visiting Scholars Program brings together accomplished scholars from diverse fields, creating a vibrant intellectual environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas across disciplines.

About the Russell Sage Foundation

The Russell Sage Foundation is one of the United States’ leading institutions supporting research in the social, economic, political, and behavioral sciences. Through grants, fellowships, publications, and research initiatives, the Foundation advances knowledge about social and economic conditions and informs public understanding and policy development.

The Visiting Scholars Program represents one of RSF’s flagship fellowship opportunities, enabling researchers to pursue ambitious projects while benefiting from access to a distinguished scholarly community.

Fellowship Overview

The programme provides selected scholars with the opportunity to work in residence at the Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.

During their fellowship period, scholars focus on:

• Conducting research
• Analyzing data
• Writing books and scholarly publications
• Developing major research projects
• Collaborating with scholars from different disciplines
• Participating in seminars and intellectual exchanges

The programme is designed to support scholars whose work addresses significant questions in the social sciences and contributes to broader public understanding of social, economic, and political issues.

A Prestigious Residential Fellowship

RSF describes its Visiting Scholar Fellowship as one of the most respected fellowships of its kind within the social sciences.

Fellows become part of a dynamic scholarly community that includes:

• Visiting Scholars
• Visiting Journalists
• Visiting Researchers
• Margaret Olivia Sage Scholars
• Russell Sage Foundation staff
• Communications and publishing professionals

This interdisciplinary environment allows fellows to engage with researchers working across a wide range of fields and methodologies.

Eligible Academic Fields

The Foundation welcomes applications from scholars representing a broad spectrum of disciplines.

Fields commonly represented include:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Behavioral Sciences
• Criminal Justice
• Demography
• Education
• History
• Law
• Public Policy
• Social Policy
• Public Health
• Social Epidemiology
• Social Work
• Statistics
• Urban Planning

Researchers working in related disciplines whose projects align with the Foundation’s mission are also encouraged to apply.

Current Research Themes

The programme regularly hosts scholars examining some of society’s most pressing challenges.

Examples of recent projects include research on:

• Racial and ethnic identity among multiracial populations
• Prison reform and criminal justice systems
• Political consciousness among Black youth
• Educational and mental health outcomes for children
• Residential segregation and racial inequality
• Demographic change and media narratives
• Home care labor markets
• Tax policy and inequality
• Climate adaptation and flood insurance
• Artificial intelligence and algorithmic governance
• Immigration and criminal justice systems
• Refugee and migrant experiences
• COVID-19 demographic impacts

These examples illustrate the breadth of topics supported by the Foundation and its commitment to addressing important social issues through rigorous scholarship.

Benefits of the Visiting Scholars Program

Selected scholars gain access to a range of professional and academic benefits, including:

Dedicated Research Time

Fellows receive uninterrupted time to focus on research, writing, and scholarly production in a supportive academic setting.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Participants interact with leading researchers from multiple disciplines, fostering new perspectives and potential collaborations.

Access to New York’s Academic Community

Being based in New York City provides opportunities to engage with universities, research centers, libraries, and policy institutions.

Professional Visibility

The fellowship offers scholars an opportunity to strengthen their research profile through association with one of the most respected social science foundations in the world.

Intellectual Exchange

Regular interactions with other fellows, researchers, journalists, and Foundation staff enrich the fellowship experience and create opportunities for scholarly dialogue.

What Makes a Strong Application?

The Foundation seeks scholars whose projects demonstrate:

• Intellectual rigor
• Originality
• Strong methodological foundations
• Relevance to significant social science questions
• Potential contribution to public understanding and policy discussions

Applicants should be prepared to explain how residence at the Foundation will support the successful completion of their proposed work.

Why Apply?

For scholars seeking a prestigious residential fellowship in the United States, the Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Scholars Program offers a rare opportunity to devote focused time to research while joining a distinguished network of social scientists.

The combination of intellectual freedom, interdisciplinary engagement, access to leading scholars, and residence in New York City makes the programme an exceptional opportunity for researchers working on critical social, economic, political, and behavioral science issues.

Researchers interested in advancing major projects, completing manuscripts, and contributing to important social science debates are encouraged to explore the Russell Sage Foundation Visiting Scholars Program and begin their application process.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding

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