Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026 – Challenges of Democracy Research Program

Brief Information

The Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious international research opportunity offered by the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics at Tel Aviv University. This fully funded post-doctoral fellowship supports outstanding scholars whose research addresses the challenges facing democratic regimes worldwide.

The fellowship provides a $30,000 tax-exempt grant and offers fellows the opportunity to conduct full-time research in a vibrant interdisciplinary academic environment during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Key Dates & Details

• Program Name: The Challenges of Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026
• Academic Year: 2026–2027
• Application Deadline: January 25, 2026
• Location / Type: Tel Aviv, Israel (In-person research fellowship)
• Grant Amount: $30,000 (tax-exempt)
• Additional Funding: Travel support available for non-Israeli fellows
• Target Group: Post-doctoral researchers
• Host Institution: Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics, Tel Aviv University

Overview

The Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026 is designed to support innovative and impactful research on the political, economic, social, and environmental challenges of democracy. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and encourages applications from scholars across economics, social sciences, humanities, law, and related fields.

Fellows will join the Safra Center’s research community and actively participate in seminars, workshops, and academic activities. During the fellowship period, researchers are expected to dedicate their full time to research, contributing to both individual scholarship and the Center’s broader mission of strengthening democratic institutions and ethical governance.

The Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics is internationally recognized for its work on ethics, public policy, and democratic institutions, making this fellowship particularly valuable for scholars seeking global academic visibility and policy relevance.

Research Focus Areas

Research proposals under the Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026 may address, but are not limited to:

• Democratic governance and institutional resilience
• Political inequality and representation
• Economic justice and democratic accountability
• Social cohesion and polarization
• Environmental governance and democracy
• Ethics, law, and democratic decision-making

Interdisciplinary and comparative approaches are strongly encouraged.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Democracy Post Doctoral Fellowship 2026 must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a PhD from a recognized institution in Israel or abroad
• Have received their PhD after February 15, 2022
• Applicants with permanent academic positions at universities or colleges are not eligible
• Preference will be given to candidates who did not receive their PhD from Tel Aviv University

The fellowship is open to both Israeli and international researchers.

Application Details

Applicants must submit the following documents in English:

1. Proof of eligibility for a doctoral degree or confirmation of dissertation submission date
2. Letters of recommendation, including:
   • One letter from the PhD advisor(s)
   • One letter from a researcher outside the degree-granting institution
   • One additional academic recommendation (optional but encouraged)
3. Dissertation summary and a brief research plan (up to 2 pages each)
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including publications (if applicable)

📅 Deadline: January 25, 2026
📧 Submission Email: [email protected]

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For guidance on post-doctoral research planning, you may consult this link:
https://www.eui.eu/Research/PostdoctoralFellowships

FAQ

Official Links

👉 Official Fellowship Announcement:
https://en-ethics.tau.ac.il

👉 Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics:
https://en-ethics.tau.ac.il

👉 Tel Aviv University:
https://english.tau.ac.il

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