Call For Application: Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship program, Check out and Apply.

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program offers year-long fellowships to early-career scholars in the humanities and humanistic social sciences who have been forcibly displaced or hold refugee status. The program aims to enhance their research capabilities, broaden professional networks, and support their academic careers by hosting them at one of Columbia University's Global Centers in Amman, Nairobi, or Santiago. 

Benefits for Fellows:

Hosting and workspace at a Columbia Global Center (Amman, Nairobi, or Santiago).

A stipend to support living expenses.

Dedicated mentorship from esteemed Columbia faculty.

A research/travel fund to support scholarly endeavors.

Training in academic writing and other relevant areas.

Access to a broad selection of online courses.

Full integration into the vibrant life of the host Columbia Global Center.

Inclusion in an alumni network.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must have been forcibly displaced from their home countries and academic institutions.

Hold a Ph.D. in the humanities or humanistic social sciences. In rare cases, candidates with a non-terminal M.A. or those who were on track to obtain a Ph.D. may be considered.

Be based in the region of the Global Center to which they are applying:

Amman: Applicants must reside in the Middle East or North Africa.

Nairobi: Applicants must reside in Sub-Saharan Africa and have a passport or Conventional Travel Document.

Santiago: Applicants must reside in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Demonstrate at least an intermediate level of English proficiency.

Have received their highest academic degree within the last 12 years. Exceptions to this timeline will be considered to accommodate career-specific trajectories or other circumstances.

While it is preferred that fellows remain in person at the relevant Columbia Global Center for the duration of the fellowship, there is a minimum in-person requirement of six months if it is not feasible for the fellow to remain in person due to immigration, family-related, or other circumstances.

Researchers working on interdisciplinary research projects are welcome to apply.

Application Requirements:

Curriculum vitae detailing academic credentials and professional experience.

Personal statement (500 words maximum) describing motivation for applying, intellectual trajectory, career goals, and the impact of displacement on their career.

Research proposal (600 words maximum) outlining the field of interest, a detailed plan for the 12-month fellowship, and the broader significance of the work.

One writing sample or publication.

Letter of recommendation from an academic colleague familiar with the applicant's work.

Copies of academic transcripts.

Proof of displacement, such as an asylum approval letter, UNHCR refugee ID, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) document, or alternative civil documentation.

Application Deadline:

Applications for the 2025-26 cohort are open until March 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. 

How to Apply: Application Portal

Applicants must submit all required documents via the Submittable platform by the specified deadline. For detailed information and application submission, please visit the official Columbia Global Centers website. 

Contact Information:

For inquiries or assistance with the application process, applicants can contact the relevant Columbia Global Center:

Amman: Ahmad Al-Moussa

Nairobi: Sandra Mikal Masira

Santiago: Chris Molinari

General inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

This fellowship is part of Columbia University's broader commitment to supporting displaced scholars, alongside initiatives like the Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students and the Committee on Forced Migration. 

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program has a significant impact on both individual scholars and the academic community as a whole. Here are some key areas where its influence is most notable:

1. Empowering Displaced Scholars

Provides financial stability through a stipend, enabling scholars to focus on their research without financial constraints.

Offers academic mentorship, helping displaced scholars rebuild their careers and integrate into global research networks.

Enhances research output, allowing scholars to continue their academic work despite being uprooted from their home institutions.

2. Strengthening Academic Networks and Collaboration

Connects scholars with Columbia University faculty and researchers, facilitating academic exchange and collaboration.

Integrates scholars into Columbia Global Centers (Amman, Nairobi, Santiago), creating a supportive intellectual community.

Encourages interdisciplinary research and fosters new perspectives in humanities and social sciences.

3. Promoting Inclusion and Equity in Higher Education

Recognizes and supports academics affected by forced migration, helping them regain professional footing.

Challenges systemic barriers that prevent displaced scholars from accessing international opportunities.

Contributes to the diversification of global scholarship, ensuring voices from displaced communities are heard.

4. Advancing Research on Displacement and Migration

Many fellows focus on topics related to migration, human rights, and forced displacement, generating valuable insights.

Encourages the documentation of refugee experiences, contributing to policy discussions and global academic discourse.

Supports innovative research that can inform humanitarian efforts, policymaking, and advocacy.

5. Long-Term Career Development and Opportunities

Fellows gain access to academic job markets, with many securing faculty positions or research roles post-fellowship.

Provides training in academic writing, publishing, and presentation skills, increasing career prospects.

Strengthens scholars’ applications for further grants, fellowships, and tenure-track positions.

6. Institutional and Global Impact

Reinforces Columbia University’s leadership in supporting displaced academics and advocating for educational equity.

Serves as a model program for other universities to adopt, inspiring similar initiatives worldwide.

Contributes to global efforts to protect academic freedom and ensure knowledge production continues despite displacement.

Conclusion

The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship is more than just financial aid; it is a transformative academic lifeline. By supporting displaced scholars, it not only revives academic careers but also enhances global knowledge exchange, fosters intellectual resilience, and helps rebuild diverse, inclusive academic communities.