The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has officially launched the open call for its 2026–2027 PRRI Public Fellows program, offering scholars an exceptional opportunity to engage in impactful public scholarship at the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. Founded in 2017, the PRRI Public Fellows program supports emerging scholar-leaders dedicated to producing research that informs public understanding and contributes to national conversations on pressing social issues.

Supported by the Mellon Foundation and the Henry Luce Foundation, the fellowship aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration while helping scholars shape their work for broader public audiences. The 2026–2027 fellowship cohort will include nine non-residential fellows whose work aligns with PRRI’s major research areas: Pluralism and Democracy, Immigration and American Society, and LGBTQ Rights and Gender Politics.

What is the PRRI Public Fellows Program?

The PRRI Public Fellows program is an 11-month fellowship running from September 2026 to July 2027. Fellows will collaborate closely with PRRI’s research and communications teams while participating in public-facing scholarship, research initiatives, workshops, and media engagement opportunities.

The fellowship is designed for scholars who want to expand the public reach of their academic work and engage audiences beyond traditional academic settings. Participants will receive support in translating research into accessible commentary, media publications, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The programme especially encourages applications from scholars in the humanities, humanistic social sciences, and empirical social sciences, including fields such as:

Sociology
Religious studies
Political science
History
Ethnic studies
American studies
Literary studies

PRRI is also committed to fostering diversity within the cohort and encourages applications from women, people of color, and individuals from underrepresented groups.

Fellowship Benefits and Opportunities

Selected PRRI Public Fellows will gain access to a wide range of professional development opportunities and research resources designed to strengthen public scholarship and interdisciplinary engagement.

Fellowship Stipend

Each fellow will receive an annual stipend of $5,000 to support participation in the programme and public scholarship activities.

Course Release Funding

Fellows are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in course release funding for the Spring 2027 semester, allowing additional time for research and public engagement.

Research Microgrants

The programme offers annual microgrants of up to $10,000 in each area of PRRI’s work to support collaborative interdisciplinary research projects among cohort members.

Media and Communications Training

Participants will receive communications support aimed at helping scholars place public-facing work in top-tier media outlets. Fellows will also participate in workshops focused on writing for broader audiences and developing media engagement skills.

Washington, D.C. Convening

A Spring 2027 in-person convening in Washington, D.C., will provide fellows with opportunities to network with writers, researchers, and experts in public scholarship. Travel expenses for the convening will be fully covered by PRRI.

Access to PRRI Research Resources

Fellows will receive advance access to PRRI data and archives, along with support in integrating public-opinion survey research into their academic work and teaching.

Areas of Research Focus

The 2026–2027 PRRI Public Fellows programme centers around three major areas of research:

Pluralism and Democracy

This area explores issues related to democratic participation, civic engagement, religious pluralism, and the role of diverse communities in shaping democratic institutions.

Immigration and American Society

Research in this category examines immigration, cultural integration, identity, and the evolving social and political experiences of immigrant communities in the United States.

LGBTQ Rights and Gender Politics

This research focus addresses gender identity, LGBTQ rights, social equality, public attitudes, and the intersection of religion and gender politics.

These themes reflect PRRI’s ongoing commitment to understanding complex social dynamics shaping contemporary American society.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants interested in the fellowship must meet several eligibility criteria, including:

Possession of a Ph.D. or comparable terminal degree
Formal affiliation with an accredited U.S.-based college, university, seminary, or research institute
Completion of a terminal degree between three and twelve years ago
Demonstrated expertise in at least one of PRRI’s key research areas
Authorization to work in the United States

The fellowship is particularly suited for mid-career scholars with a strong record of socially engaged or public scholarship.

Application Process

To apply for the PRRI Public Fellows programme, applicants must submit the following materials:

Statement of Interest

Applicants are required to provide a statement of interest of 800 words or fewer outlining their professional goals and interest in pursuing public scholarship through the fellowship.

Curriculum Vitae

A current CV highlighting academic achievements, publications, and professional experience must be included.

Work Samples

Applicants must submit three work samples published within the last three years. These may include:

Articles
Op-eds
Blogs
Public-facing essays

Preference is given to work aimed at general public audiences.

Important Deadline Information

Applications for the PRRI Public Fellows 2026–2027 cohort must be submitted by Friday, June 19, 2026.

The fellowship represents a significant opportunity for scholars seeking to bridge academic research with public discourse while contributing to meaningful conversations about religion, democracy, immigration, and social justice in America.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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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.