South Asia Program Junior Fellowship

Position description

The Henry L. Stimson Center’s South Asia Program welcomes applications from highly motivated graduating seniors or individuals who have completed their undergraduate or master’s degree in the past year for its 2026-2027 cohort ofJunior Fellows.

Purpose

The one-year, full-time fellowship will provide individuals with a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge of security issues in the subcontinent, engage with the South Asia policy community in Washington and the region, and experience working at a dynamic think tank that provides close interaction with senior staff and researchers. Junior Fellows will receive a salary for the full year, as well as health insurance and transit benefits for the duration of the fellowship. All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States for the full twelve months of the fellowship, and Stimson will not provide sponsorship for any visas.

Junior Fellows will support the Stimson South Asia Program’s efforts to research, analyze, and inform policymakers about the evolving dynamics of deterrence, conflict risks, military modernization, and great-power competition in Southern Asia. Fellows will support programmatic efforts including South Asian Voices and/or the Strategic Learning initiative, as well as assisting with public events, workshops, and research for publications. They will receive professional development opportunities, engage with leading scholars and practitioners in the field, represent Stimson at scholarly and policy convenings, and hone technical and analytical skills.

The Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship will help emerging analysts develop the research, analytical, writing, and project management skills required to succeed in fields related to peace and security in South Asia. Previous Junior Fellows have gone on to positions with Stimson and at other think tanks, including CSIS and CFR, have joined the U.S. government, and have pursued advanced degrees at MIT, University of Chicago, Stanford, Oxford, and Columbia.

Selection Criteria

Requirements

• A strong background in South Asian politics, economics, or security; strategic studies and nuclear issues; international relations theory; or other social sciences.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with peers in a team environment.
• A record of academic excellence.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Existing U.S. work authorization for the full 12 months of the Fellowship.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Precise editing skills (work experience in a university writing center or newspaper a plus).
• Experience living/working in South Asia and/or working in intercultural settings.
• Hindi, Urdu, or Mandarin language skills.
• Data science skills.
• Video editing skills.
• Social media and communications experience/skills
• Event and/or project management experience.

Application Materials

• A one-page cover letter laying out the candidate’s research interests and career goals. Applicants should discuss how they can contribute to the mission and work of the Stimson South Asia Program and how the Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship would contribute to their long-term professional growth.
• A curriculum vitae or resume (two-page maximum) including all educational qualifications, study abroad experience, and extracurricular activities, as well as any work experience to date.
• Unofficial transcript(s) with an academic record of undergraduate and Master’s (if applicable) coursework.
• One letter of recommendation from a professor or former employer explaining what qualifications, skills, and experiences make the candidate a good fit for the fellowship.
• A writing sample of no more than two pages on a topic related to South Asian political or security issues.

Letters of recommendation should be emailed to[email protected]with the subject line “Stimson South Asia Junior Fellowship-Last name of the applicant.” All other application materials should be submitted as asingle PDF documentin the order outlined above and titled “Junior Fellowship Application Materials-Last name of applicant” through Stimson’sonline application system.

Application instructions

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