Call for Applications: Emerging Scholars Fellowship (Summer 2026)

Stanford Impact Labs (SIL) is accepting applications for the 2026 Emerging Scholars Fellowship, an opportunity for current PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at Stanford. Applications must be completed jointly by the applicant and their faculty mentor and submitted by Monday, March 9, 2026.

Program Description

The Emerging Scholars Fellowship supports PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who wish to marry their social scientific research with public impact. The fellowship prepares scholars to work closely with collaborators across the public, private, and social sectors to generate evidence and insights that can be put into practice. 

The primary purpose of this fellowship is for the professional development of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. By engaging in weekly, in-person group workshops led by Stanford Impact Labs, fellows will learn skills and frameworks and gain resources helpful in pursuing impactful social science research now and in the future. Workshop topics include: understanding and defining social issues; identifying the role of research in making progress on a social issue; mapping pathways from social science to real-world impact; collaboration and partnership beyond academia; and communicating with non-academic audiences.

The program provides fellows an opportunity to join a community and network of emerging scholars focused on putting social science to work for society.

The program includes a $5,000 supplemental fellowship stipend.

Eligibility

Current PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at Stanford (who will be affiliated with Stanford until at least fall 2026) may apply. Applicants from any Stanford school, department, and academic discipline who employ social science methods are eligible to apply. Applications must be completed together by the applicant and their faculty mentor for summer 2026 (however, training sessions and award funding associated with the fellowship are only for the fellow). 

Research collaboration between the PhD/postdoc applicant and faculty mentor may vary. The proposed project may be:

• Part of the PhD applicant’s dissertation or postdoc applicant’s independent research portfolio, for which the faculty mentor is an advisor; 
• Part of the faculty mentor’s broader research agenda, with the PhD/postdoc applicant providing research assistance or other contribution; or, 
• A standalone project of another nature on which the faculty mentor and PhD/postdoc applicant are collaborating. 

We have found that the fellowship is most useful if applicants are focused on the specified project for at least 50% of their time throughout the duration of the fellowship.

Application Criteria

Competitive applicants will be working over the summer (in at least a 50% capacity) on a research project that:

• Seeks to make progress on a clearly defined social issue, e.g. by informing policy, evaluating specific programs or interventions, or addressing overlooked social needs. 
• Is under the mentorship of a Stanford faculty member; 
• Is conducted in partnership with an organization external to Stanford (e.g. nonprofit organization, government agency, company) or is working towards developing partnerships; and
• Is aligned with the social scientific research agenda of the applicant and/or their collaborative research group or faculty mentor.

Additionally, competitive applicants will: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to both scholarly social science research and public impact;
• Exhibit curiosity, humility, and a learning mindset; and
• Be available to attend all in-person fellowship sessions on Stanford’s campus.

Program Requirements 

Fellows will attend 8 weekly, in-person gatherings at Stanford throughout the summer quarter (June 22 - August 14, 2026) as well as optional social gatherings.

Fellows will work on their proposed research project under the mentorship of their faculty mentor, in at least a 50% capacity, throughout the duration of the fellowship. 

Fellows will have access to one-on-one coaching with Stanford Impact Labs staff.

Application Instructions and Timeline

To be ensured of full consideration, please send completed application form (download application form here and complete) by March 9, 2026 to silemergingscholars@stanford.edu with the subject line: “Summer 2026 SIL Emerging Scholars Fellowship Application Submission.”

Written applications will be evaluated based on the criteria listed above. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Cohort decisions will be communicated in April 2026.

Questions? Please contact Alex Carr, Stanford Impact Labs: acarr2@stanford.edu.