Stanford University’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC), part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, invites applications for its 2026-2028 fellowship programmes. Located in Silicon Valley, APARC is a premier research facility dedicated to policy dialogue, academic exchange, and scholarship concerning the Asia-Pacific region including East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and trans-Pacific relations.
These fellowships are offered to early-career scholars, mid-career professionals and senior experts worldwide, enabling them to carry out independent research, collaborate with Stanford faculty, and contribute meaningfully to policy debates relating to the Asia-Pacific. They include in-residence support, full participation in APARC’s academic community, and competitive funding.
Specialised fellowship streams focus on topics such as health policy, contemporary Japan, Taiwan studies, Southeast Asia, U.S.–Asia relations, nationalism, democratic reform and other pressing Asia-Pacific challenges. Application deadlines vary depending on the programme, with many beginning on 1 December 2025.
Fellowship Details
Host Institution: Stanford University, California, USA
Organising Centre: Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC)
Eligibility: Applicants of all nationalities
Fees: No application fee
Key Dates: Varies by programme (check individual listings)
Selected Fellowship Streams
- Asia Health Policy Program Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026-27)
- Duration: One year (minimum ten months) beginning in the fall quarter of 2026
- Benefits: Salary according to Stanford policy (for example, around USD 80,000 on an annualised basis, prorated for ten months) plus USD 3,000 in research funds
- Eligibility: Recent PhD graduates conducting research on health or health-policy issues in the Asia-Pacific, with a focus on comparative or policy-oriented work aimed at developing contexts
- Deadline: 1 December 2025
- Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowship (2026-27)
- Duration: One year, beginning fall 2026
- Eligibility: Recent PhD recipients working on contemporary Japan across disciplines (political science, economics, sociology, law, policy, international relations)
- Research Focus: Contemporary Japan its politics, economy, society, law, policy and international relations
- Deadline: 1 December 2025
- Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellowship on Contemporary Asia (2026-27)
- Duration: One year, beginning fall 2026
- Benefits: Full fellowship support (salary + research support in line with Stanford/APARC policy)
- Eligibility: Junior scholars holding a recent PhD whose research addresses political, economic or social change in the Asia-Pacific or international political economy of the region
- Research Focus: Change in Northeast, Southeast or South Asia, or issues in international relations/political economy
- Deadline: 1 December 2025
- Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL) — Postdoctoral Fellowships (2026-28)
- Duration: Two-year appointment beginning fall 2026 (possible extension based on funding and performance)
- Responsibilities: Lead a thematic collaborative research group, mentor students, support SNAPL programming
- Eligibility: Interdisciplinary scholars with a recent PhD who demonstrate leadership potential in research and policy outreach
- Research Tracks: (i) Talent Flows & Development, (ii) Nationalism & Racism, (iii) U.S.–Asia Relations, (iv) Democratic Crisis & Reform
- Deadline: 1 December 2025
- SNAPL Visiting Fellowships (2026-27)
- Duration: One year, starting fall 2026
- Eligibility: Mid-career or senior researchers or professionals with substantial records related to SNAPL themes; includes a position dedicated to research on the Philippines
- Benefits: In-residence appointment with research support; some visits may include supplemental stipend (for example, USD 30,000)
- Research Focus: Any of the four SNAPL themes listed above
- Deadline: 1 March 2026
- Taiwan Program Visiting Fellowship (2026-27)
- Duration: One year, beginning fall 2026
- Eligibility: Scholars or senior professionals whose work focuses on contemporary Taiwan economics, society, technology, environment, institutions
- Research Focus: Policy, economy, society, technology, environmental or institutional adaptation in Taiwan
- Deadline: 1 March 2026
Applicants are encouraged to review the specific programme pages at APARC for full details including stipend amounts, application materials, and residence requirements. These fellowships represent a remarkable opportunity to engage in high-level research and policy-oriented scholarship at one of the world’s leading universities, within a vibrant Asia-Pacific scholarly ecosystem.
