International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars

The International Affairs Fellowship for Tenured International Relations Scholars (IAF-TIRS) offers professors from a variety of backgrounds practical experience in the foreign policy-making field, providing them with an opportunity to spend their sabbatical year working at a U.S. government agency, in Congress, or with an international organization.

The IAF-TIRS program helps close the gap between research and practice, enriching both teaching and scholarship by enabling fellows to become practitioners. The program also benefits policymakers by exposing them to critical scholarly research relevant to the foreign policy and national security issues facing the United States and the world.

The fellowship is for twelve months. The program will match 50 percent of the fellow’s base salary for the academic year (up to a maximum of $80,000) as well as provide modest assistance for moving expenses for those who need to relocate for the fellowship. Selected applicants typically begin their fellowships between June and September each year. 

Note: Fellows are considered independent contractors rather than employees of CFR and are not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance. No indirect costs can be deducted from the stipend award.

Eligible applicants should be tenured faculty based at a U.S.-based college or university whose research focuses on international relations, peace and security issues, or U.S. foreign policy. Applicants must hold a PhD, have a pre-arranged sabbatical with their home university, and hold U.S. citizenship. Strong preference will be given to candidates with little limited experience working in the U.S. government or with an international organization.

The deadline to apply for the 2021-2022 fellowship is October 31, 2020.

For questions, email tirs.fellowships@cfr.org or call 202.509.8449.