CALL FOR APPLICATIONS — 38 NORTH EMERGING SCHOLARS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2026-27

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - 38 NORTH EMERGING SCHOLARS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2026-27

38 North is a program at the Henry L. Stimson Center, a nonpartisan policy and research organization focused on international security issues, based in Washington, DC. For more than 15 years, 38 North has been an authoritative source of policy and technical analysis regarding North Korea's internal and external affairs. It aims to facilitate an informed public policy debate about peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and provide policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders with data and insights that may enhance understanding of one of the world's most complex security dilemmas.

For three decades, Stimson has been a leading voice on urgent global issues. Founded in the twilight years of the Cold War, the Stimson Center pioneered practical new steps toward stability and security in an uncertain world. Today, as changes in power and technology usher in a challenging new era, Stimson is at the forefront: Engaging new voices, generating innovative ideas and analysis, and building solutions to promote international security, prosperity, and justice.

For more information about Stimson, visit www.stimson.org.

PROGRAM GOAL AND SCOPE

The goal of our the "38 North Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program 2026-27" is to cultivate the next generation of North Korea policy analysts by pairing fellows with mentors to equip emerging scholars to think critically about the challenges that exist in studying North Korea today. This program is not about learning more about North Korea in general. Rather, fellows and mentors will engage in one-on-one training sessions on specific research areas or methodologies of studying North Korea. Through this, we aim to facilitate much needed knowledge transfer from senior scholars or practitioners to the next generations in the areas of the selected fellows' interest. This program is a longer-term and deliberate effort to normalize intergenerational discourse on these critical security issues.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Selected fellows will be expected to:

• Participate in meetings with their mentor;
• Write and publish one article on the 38 North website;
• Participate in one public virtual event in early 2027 to present their findings and issues pertinent to their field of interest; and
• Attend an in-person, two-day workshop in Washington, DC in spring 2028 to share findings with their peer group, participate in policy discussions with various stakeholders in DC, and build networks among peers, mentors, and DC experts.

ELIGIBILITY

We encourage applicants from all over the world. Eligible candidates must:

• Be a graduate student, recent graduate, or emerging or mid-career professional;
• Be fluent in English; and
• Have demonstrated experience or interest in a relevant career.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

We are inviting all eligible candidates to submit applications via ApplicantPro/iSolved by 6:00 p.m. US Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Applications must include:

• A statement of interest outlining:
  • Your proposed research topic (200 words max);
  • What you hope to gain from this program (150 words max); and
  • Relevant experience, including how long you have been in the field (if applicable) (150 words max);
• A resumé or CV;
• A list of recent publications (if applicable); and
• A list of Koreas- or Northeast Asia-related fellowship programs you have been involved with in the past three (3) years, are currently enrolled in, or are planning to begin within the next six (6) months.

Selected candidates will be notified by June 5, 2026.

38 North may inquire about references throughout the selection process.

CONTACT

If you have further questions, please email Iliana Ragnone at [email protected].