Brief Information
US China Relations Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications under The Penn Project on the Future of US-China Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. This competitive program selects 16 early to mid-career scholars and professionals to develop policy-relevant recommendations on key US-China issues.
The ten-month fellowship runs from April 2026 to January 2027 and includes workshops, policy briefings in Washington, DC, and optional research travel to China.
Key Dates & Details
- Program Name: The Penn Project on the Future of US-China Relations – Fourth Fellowship Cohort
- Host Institution: University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
- Location: United States (Philadelphia, Washington, DC) + optional China visit
- Duration: April 2026 – January 2027 (10 months)
- Application Deadline: March 17, 2026
- Number of Fellows: 16 (at least 2 per issue area)
- Funding Support: Backed by Carnegie Corporation of New York & Henry Luce Foundation
- Target Group: Early to mid-career academics and professionals with expertise on China
- Citizenship Requirement: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or full-time employed at a U.S. institution
- Policy Paper Requirement: Up to 6,000 words with concrete U.S. policy recommendations
Table of Contents
Overview
The US China Relations Fellowship 2026 is part of The Penn Project on the Future of US-China Relations, an initiative designed to strengthen U.S. capacity to understand and evaluate critical issues in the bilateral relationship.
Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, the program provides a high-level forum for rising U.S.-based China scholars and policy analysts to contribute academically informed and policy-relevant research.
Sixteen fellows will be selected, with at least two fellows assigned to each of the six core issue areas:
- National Security
- Trade & Economics
- Science & Technology
- Human Rights, Law, & Democracy
- Climate & Environment
- Research, Education, & Academic Freedom
Throughout the ten-month program (April 2026 – January 2027), fellows will develop a substantive policy paper offering clear, actionable recommendations for U.S. policy toward China.
Early drafts will be presented during a two-day workshop at UPenn (May 7–8, 2026), where fellows will receive feedback from alumni mentors and Penn experts.
Participants will also:
- Deliver policy briefings in Washington, DC (September 21–25, 2026)
- Publish working drafts and final papers on the Project website
- Participate in webinars and a China Studies podcast
- Optionally travel to China (June 22–26, 2026) for dialogue and research
This structure makes the US China Relations Fellowship 2026 one of the most policy-engaged academic fellowships in the U.S.
Eligibility
Applicants for the US China Relations Fellowship 2026 must meet the following criteria:
- Early to mid-career academics or professionals
- Several years of full-time academic or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated expertise on China
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident, OR full-time employed at a U.S. institution
- Preference for candidates currently residing in the United States
The selection process ensures balanced representation across the six issue areas.
Application Details
To apply for the US China Relations Fellowship 2026, submit your materials via email to:
📧 [email protected]
📅 Deadline: March 17, 2026
Applications must include:
- Personal Statement (max 500 words)
- Area of expertise
- Eligibility
- Interest in the Project
- Full CV
- Education and professional background
- Experience in U.S.-China relations
- Policy-academic engagement
- Paper Précis (max 1000 words)
- Outline of the proposed policy paper
- Clear recommendations for U.S. policy toward China
All submissions will be acknowledged.
For broader academic context on international policy research, you may explore resources from the
👉 https://carnegie.org (Carnegie Corporation of New York)
FAQ
1. How many fellows are selected?
A total of 16 fellows will be selected for the fourth cohort.
2. Is funding provided?
The program is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Henry Luce Foundation. While the call does not specify individual stipends publicly, program activities and engagement opportunities are institutionally funded.
3. Is travel to China mandatory?
No. Travel to China (June 22–26, 2026) is optional.
4. What is the main output of the fellowship?
Each fellow must submit a maximum 6,000-word policy paper with concrete U.S. policy recommendations.
Official Link
For full details and to review official documents:
👉 https://global.upenn.edu/future-of-us-china-relations/
👉 PDF Call: https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com
Apply before March 17, 2026 to join the US China Relations Fellowship 2026 cohort.
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