Structural Transformation of Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STARS) Fellowship Program

Deadline: 16-Jan-2026

The STARS Fellowship Program offers early-career researchers a 15-month, policy-focused research opportunity on agricultural and rural development topics, including productivity, income growth, asset accumulation, rural employment, and risk management. Fellows receive mentorship from senior researchers, professional development training, and a three-week residency at Cornell University. Applications for the 2026 cohort close on 16 January 2026.

The STARS Fellowship Program provides early-career researchers with a comprehensive opportunity to conduct rigorous, policy-oriented research on agriculture and rural development. The program emphasizes causal analysis of productivity, income growth, asset accumulation, rural employment, and risk management in rural spaces.

Program Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Support high-quality, policy-relevant research in agriculture and rural development

• Build early-career research capacity through mentorship and structured professional development

• Strengthen global research networks and collaboration with senior academics

• Equip Fellows with practical skills in data management, coding, and reproducible research

Fellowship Duration and Structure

• Duration: 15 months (April 2026 – June 2027)

• Components:

  1. Virtual Launch Workshops – Orientation, mentor introductions, and refinement of research plans

  2. Continuous Mentorship – Regular virtual meetings with senior mentors and peer support

  3. Professional Development Training – Sessions on research ethics, grant writing, coding, reproducible research, presentation skills, and time management

  4. Cornell University Residency – Three-week intensive visit in October–November 2026 for seminars, workshops, and structured feedback

  5. Final Research Submission – Post-residency work with mentor guidance culminating in submission of final outputs

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

• Early-career researchers in the final year of a Ph.D. or who completed their doctorate in 2020 or later

• Familiar with the datasets they plan to use (new data collection is not funded)

• Preferably affiliated with or intending to work in low- or lower-middle-income countries

• Female applicants are encouraged, given priority consideration
  Exclusion: Individuals from comprehensively sanctioned countries

Priority Research Themes

The program focuses on research related to:

• Causal determinants of agricultural productivity and income growth

• Asset accumulation and rural household resilience

• Rural employment and labor market dynamics

• Risk management in agriculture and rural contexts

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. Research Proposal – Maximum 2,500 words outlining objectives, methodology, and expected impact

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Detailing academic qualifications and research experience

3. Letter of Support – From a Ph.D. supervisor or equivalent

4. Data Access Documentation – Confirming availability and familiarity with datasets

Selection Process

1. Initial Review – Assessment of eligibility, proposal quality, and research relevance

2. Shortlisting – Candidates invited for a virtual interview

3. Skills Assessment – Stata or R evaluation to ensure data analysis proficiency

4. Final Decision – Notifications expected by early April 2026

Benefits of the Fellowship

• Mentorship from senior researchers at Cornell University, the Center for Global Development, or affiliated institutions

• Peer mentoring and academic support

• Professional development workshops throughout the research cycle

• Three-week intensive residency at Cornell University for research refinement

• Enhanced skills in research ethics, coding, reproducible research, and scientific communication

• Networking opportunities with global researchers in agricultural and rural development

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Exceeding the 2,500-word limit for the research proposal

• Submitting incomplete data access documentation

• Applying without a letter of support from a supervisor

• Neglecting to demonstrate familiarity with existing datasets

• Failing to meet eligibility criteria (Ph.D. completion date, dataset experience, sanctioned countries)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible for the STARS Fellowship?
Early-career researchers in the final year of a Ph.D. or who completed a Ph.D. in 2020 or later.

Can new data collection be funded?
No, the program only supports research using existing datasets.

What is the duration of the fellowship?
15 months, from April 2026 to June 2027.

Are international researchers eligible?
Yes, priority is given to those affiliated with or intending to work in low- or lower-middle-income countries.

Is there an on-site component?
Yes, a three-week residency at Cornell University occurs in October–November 2026.

What are the application requirements?
Research proposal (≤2,500 words), CV, supervisor support letter, and data access documentation.

When is the application deadline?
16 January 2026, with acceptance notifications by early April 2026.

Conclusion

The STARS Fellowship Program offers a structured and supportive environment for early-career researchers to advance high-quality, policy-relevant research in agriculture and rural development. Through mentorship, professional development, and an immersive residency, Fellows gain the skills, guidance, and network necessary to make impactful contributions to global agricultural policy and rural research.

For more information, visit Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.