Are you an emerging scholar with innovative ideas, ambitious research goals, and a passion for shaping the direction of global policy? Do you want to expand your academic reach, engage directly with world leaders, elevate your scholarship, and become part of a vibrant community dedicated to addressing today’s most urgent international challenges? If so, the Perry World House Lightning Scholar Fellowship for the 2026–2027 academic year is an extraordinary opportunity you won’t want to miss.
This prestigious fellowship, offered by Perry World House (PWH) at the University of Pennsylvania, brings together promising early-career academics from around the world for an immersive semester or year-long experience in one of the United States’ top global affairs institutions. Located in the heart of Philadelphia at an Ivy League university, PWH is a leading center where cutting-edge academic research meets real-world policy-making. The Lightning Scholar Program is designed to give scholars the intellectual space, institutional support, and professional networks needed to amplify their impact at both national and global levels.
What Is Perry World House?
Founded in 2016, Perry World House serves as the University of Pennsylvania’s hub for global affairs. Its mission is to bring the academic community together with policy practitioners, public officials, journalists, civil society leaders, and innovators to tackle global issues collaboratively. Through public events, research workshops, high-profile discussions, policy labs, and interdisciplinary engagement, PWH advances impactful scholarship across areas such as:
- International security and geopolitical conflict
- Climate change and environmental governance
- Human rights and humanitarian policy
- Migration and global mobility
- Economic development and global inequality
- Global health and emerging threats
The Lightning Scholar Fellowship is a central component of PWH’s commitment to supporting scholars at critical moments in their academic careers.
About the Lightning Scholar Fellowship
The Lightning Scholars Program is specifically designed for untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professors whose work contributes to globally relevant policy conversations. Selected scholars spend either a semester or a full academic year in residence at Perry World House, where they pursue ambitious research, participate in interdisciplinary programming, and collaborate closely with Penn faculty, students, and visiting global leaders.
This fellowship is ideal for academics seeking a transformative experience that strengthens their research agenda while enhancing their ability to influence global policy discussions. Whether your work intersects with international diplomacy, human rights, technology policy, climate security, global governance, or any other major global challenge, PWH provides a unique environment in which your insights can flourish.
What Lightning Scholars Gain
Being named a Lightning Scholar is both an honor and an opportunity to grow as a researcher, a communicator, and a policy-engaged academic. Fellows receive a range of benefits that enable them to maximize their time at PWH:
1. Dedicated Time for Research and Writing
The demands of academic life often leave limited time for deep, uninterrupted scholarship. This fellowship provides the freedom, space, and support needed to focus on writing a major article, beginning a new research project, advancing a book manuscript, or exploring an emerging topic in global affairs.
2. A Bridge Between Academia and Policy
Lightning Scholars are encouraged to translate their academic work into actionable policy insights. Through policy labs, strategy sessions, working groups, and collaborative workshops, scholars work alongside practitioners from governments, international organizations, NGOs, and global think tanks.
3. Direct Engagement With Global Leaders
PWH regularly hosts high-level speakers and delegations from around the world. As a Lightning Scholar, you will have the chance to interact with ambassadors, foreign ministers, policymakers, senior government advisers, military leaders, and prominent public intellectuals.
4. Access to Penn’s World-Class Community
The University of Pennsylvania is home to leading scholars across disciplines such as political science, law, economics, environmental studies, medicine, business, and engineering. Lightning Scholars enjoy full access to Penn’s academic ecosystem, enabling rich interdisciplinary exchanges.
5. A Platform for Thought Leadership
Lightning Scholars are encouraged to contribute to the global policy discourse by publishing research, delivering public talks, participating in media interviews, leading events, and engaging in major PWH initiatives focused on solving global challenges.
Eligibilities
- Applications, which should be submitted via Inter folio, are welcome from scholars who have either a Ph.D. or equivalent degrees (including a J.D.), are standing faculty members at a college or university, and are on the tenure track but still untenured.
- Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on December 1st, 2025.
- Deadline: December 2, 2025
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Who Should Apply?
The Lightning Scholar Fellowship is designed for untenured, tenure-track assistant and associate professors, regardless of nationality or institutional home. Ideal candidates should:
- Demonstrate a proven record of high-quality academic research
- Show potential to influence global policy conversations
- Have a clear research agenda relevant to pressing international challenges
- Be committed to public engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Be ready to contribute intellectually to the PWH community
Scholars from all academic disciplines related to global affairs, including political science, international relations, economics, history, sociology, public policy, law, environmental studies, and global health, are encouraged to apply.
Why This Fellowship Matters
In an era marked by geopolitical tensions, global pandemics, climate emergencies, mass migration, technological disruptions, and rising authoritarianism, the world urgently needs scholars who can bring rigorous research and bold ideas to the policy table.
The Lightning Scholar Fellowship offers emerging academics the rare chance to step into this role — not only as researchers, but as leaders who help shape the policies and decisions that affect millions of lives worldwide.
Since its founding, PWH has supported scholars whose work has advanced public understanding, informed government policies, and sparked critical conversations in major global arenas. By joining this community, you become part of a tradition of excellence and impact.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026–2027 Lightning Scholar Fellowship are now officially open.
To apply:
- Visit the official application page (insert your link here).
- Review fellowship requirements and eligibility.
- Gather required materials, such as:
- Curriculum vitae
- Research proposal
- Statements of interest
- Writing samples
- Letters of recommendation
- Submit your application before the deadline.
- Start your application process now by clicking Here
Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate their research goals, explain the global relevance of their work, and demonstrate how being in residence at Perry World House will enhance their scholarly and policy impact.