Apply Now: Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program supports early-career displaced and refugee scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Hosted at Columbia Global Centers, the fellowship offers stipends, mentorship, research support, and professional development while allowing scholars to remain embedded in their home regions.

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program is an international academic fellowship designed for early-career scholars who hold refugee status or have been forcibly displaced.

The program supports scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences by strengthening research capacity, advancing academic careers, and fostering global collaboration without requiring relocation away from their communities.

Program Overview

This fellowship provides structured academic support through Columbia University’s Global Centers, enabling scholars to continue their research and professional development while remaining connected to their local academic and social environments.

Unlike traditional fellowships that require relocation, this program emphasizes regional engagement combined with global academic integration, ensuring continuity in scholars’ academic journeys despite displacement.

Core Goals of the Fellowship

The fellowship is designed to:

• Enhance research capabilities and scholarly productivity

• Expand professional and academic networks

• Advance long-term academic and creative careers

• Support scholarly and creative work in the humanities

• Build academic writing and professional skills

• Encourage interdisciplinary research and dialogue

• Strengthen local academic and community connections through global collaboration

Fellowship Structure and Benefits

Host Institution

Selected fellows are hosted at a Columbia Global Center in their region.

Current Global Centers offering fellowships include:

• Amman

• Nairobi

• Santiago

Financial and Academic Support

Fellows receive comprehensive support, including:

• A stipend to support living and research expenses

• Dedicated mentorship from Columbia University faculty

• Tailored academic training, including academic writing support

• A small research or travel fund

• Access to a wide range of Columbia University online courses

• Full integration into the intellectual and professional life of the Global Center

• Long-term inclusion in the Columbia Global Emerging Scholars alumni network

What Makes This Fellowship Unique

The defining feature of this program is its commitment to regional embeddedness.

Fellows are encouraged to remain in their host regions, allowing them to:

• Continue building local academic and professional networks

• Maintain personal and community connections

• Strengthen regional academic ecosystems

• Benefit from Columbia University’s global expertise without displacement-related disruption

This model supports academic continuity and resilience while addressing the structural challenges faced by displaced scholars.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is open to displaced scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold refugee status or have experienced forced displacement

• Be early-career scholars, including postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. candidates

• Hold a Ph.D. in the humanities or a related field, with rare exceptions

• Have earned their highest academic degree within the past 12 years

• Demonstrate at least intermediate proficiency in English

• Be based in the region corresponding to the selected Global Center

Eligible Fields and Profiles

The program welcomes applicants from a broad range of disciplines, including:

• Humanities and humanistic social sciences

• Interdisciplinary research fields

• Creative writers and artists

• Curators and cultural practitioners

• Scholars whose education or careers have been disrupted by displacement

Participation and Residency Requirements

Full in-person participation at the host Global Center is strongly preferred.

When full-time residence is not feasible, fellows must commit to:

• A minimum of six months of in-person participation

• Active engagement in workshops, lectures, and academic programming

• Participation in scholarly presentations and roundtable discussions

• Ongoing collaboration with the Global Center’s academic community

How the Fellowship Works

1. Scholars apply to a specific Columbia Global Center in their region

2. Applications are reviewed based on academic merit, eligibility, and alignment with program goals

3. Selected fellows are matched with Columbia faculty mentors

4. Fellows participate in research, training, and academic programming

5. Fellows engage locally while connecting globally through Columbia’s academic network

6. Upon completion, fellows join a long-term alumni network for continued collaboration

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying to a Global Center outside your region of residence

• Failing to clearly demonstrate displacement status

• Submitting incomplete academic or research statements

• Not explaining how the fellowship will advance long-term academic goals

• Overlooking the importance of interdisciplinary and community engagement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program?

It is a fellowship program supporting displaced and refugee scholars in the humanities through regional hosting and global academic collaboration.

Who can apply for the fellowship?

Early-career displaced scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences, including postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. candidates, may apply.

Does the fellowship require relocation to the United States?

No. Fellows are hosted at Columbia Global Centers in their home regions and are encouraged to remain locally embedded.

What financial support does the fellowship provide?

The fellowship includes a stipend, a small research or travel fund, mentorship, training, and access to Columbia University online courses.

Is a Ph.D. required to apply?

Yes, applicants are generally required to hold a Ph.D. in the humanities, with rare exceptions for specific circumstances.

How many fellowships are awarded each year?

Up to ten fellowships are awarded annually through 2026.

Who funds the fellowship program?

The fellowship is supported by the Mellon Foundation.

Program Background and Expansion

The fellowship originated as an initiative in Amman and has expanded across three continents.

What began as a four-year pilot program has evolved into an ongoing commitment to addressing academic displacement, with continued expansion through Columbia’s global network.

Conclusion

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program offers a rare and impactful opportunity for displaced scholars to rebuild and advance their academic careers.

By combining regional engagement with global academic resources, the fellowship strengthens research, fosters resilience, and ensures that displacement does not end scholarly contributions to the humanities.