Call for Applications: for Junior Fellows Program at Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) and the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) MA Program at the American University of Beirut
The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) and the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) MA Program at the American University of Beirut is glad to announce the launch of the second cohort of its Junior Fellows Program. This program is supported by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
Proposal Deadline: Sunday, October 25, 2026
This 9-month fellowship is targeted at students still enrolled in the PPIA Program who have completed their proposal yet still not submitted their final project). Projects submitted to the fellowship should not duplicate the thesis or final project but may be derived from or built upon it, and should also align with one of the Institute’s three research clusters:
- Sustainability and Inclusive Development
- Regional and International affairs
- Policy, Politics, and Governance
Terms of the Fellowship
Selected junior fellows will work on their own projects under the mentorship and guidance of one of the Institute’s current fellows, with the purpose of exploring and developing research and policy outputs that align with the Institute’s overall strategy and clusters.
The Institute fellows will provide junior fellows with access to networks, supporting their career development, and guiding them to serve the public good. Junior fellows will meet with their IFI fellow mentor at least once a month to discuss research progress and receive feedback.
While at the Institute, junior fellows will interact with the public policy community, researchers, and students, as well as engage in important dialogues and debates. Junior fellows will also have the chance to take part in monthly brown bag series to present and discuss their research in-progress and receive valuable feedback. In addition, they are required to present their research proposal and plan during an internal seminar at the start of their fellowship period.
Junior fellows will receive a dedicated workspace at the Institute.
Selected applicants will receive monthly compensation of 1,200 USD during their fellowship period.
Fellowship Deliverables
Upon completing their fellowship, junior fellows will be required to submit a policy-relevant paper and produce at least one short derivative product, such as an op-ed, video interview, or infographic; they can also choose to organize a roundtable/dialogue session.
Eligibility Criteria
- Being an ongoing PPIA student, who has completed all required courses and is currently working on their thesis or final project.
- Demonstrating intellectual maturity and depth
- Committing to presence at the Institute for scheduled meetings, events, and monthly check-ins.
- Willing to collaborate with the Institute on projects/events/publications when the opportunity arises
- Working in a collegial manner with other junior fellows and Institute staff
- Applicants must not be fully employed at the time of application or at any point during the fellowship, unless they commit to resigning from their position prior to the start of the fellowship. Applicants holding Research Assistant (RA) or Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions at AUB will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Fellows are expected to be present at the Institute for scheduled meetings, events, and monthly check-ins.
Applicants’ research/project proposal should include the following:
- Updated CV
- A concise, well-developed proposal with a clear research question, detailing the research project or project summary (1,500 -2,500 words) comprising:
- Project proposal including the research question, background and objectives (800-1200 words)
- Methodology (250-500 words)
- Deliverables (100-150 words)
- Significance of the project and its relevance to IFI’s research interests (150-250 words)
- Distinction between the proposed project and the applicant’s master’s thesis or final project (100-150 words)
- Timeline and specific milestones (100-150 words)
- At least one academic reference letter plus a second professional reference letter if relevant to the application
Timeline
- Deadline for submissions: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Fellowships are expected to start on: Monday, January 18, 2027
Please send applications to IFI Junior Fellows Program Coordinator Roua Chakaroun (rc98@aub.edu.lb), cc’ing IFI Research Development Manager Leila Solh (ls31@aub.edu.lb). Please send the application with the following subject line: “IFI Junior Fellows Program Application – Ongoing PPIA Students.” In your email, clearly state your current study and employment status. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
For more details, refer here
