Visiting Fellows
The application period for the 2025-26 cycle has now closed. You can read about the incoming visiting fellows cohort here.
Our Visiting Fellows Program supports the institute’s mission of strengthening global democracy by enabling us to integrate a broader range of people into our work.
The program recruits a cohort of fellows from diverse sectors, disciplines, backgrounds, and ideologies to join the institute to work with our permanent faculty, researchers, and students. We welcome applicants from civil society, government, industry, media, academia, the arts, and other fields.
We ask fellowship candidates to propose specific fellowship projects they want to pursue. These projects may be undertaken at any time within the fellowship year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
While this is a non-residential fellowship, to support a vibrant and collaborative community, SNF Agora Visiting Fellows are expected to come to JHU’s campuses in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. to meet the terms of their project. Visiting Fellows also participate – in person to the extent possible – in regular workshops, seminars, and other programs at the institute, in the larger Johns Hopkins community, and beyond.
Benefits
SNF Agora Visiting Fellows participate fully in the life of the SNF Agora Institute. The fellowship includes dedicated programming for Visiting Fellows, such as workshops and social gatherings, convenings with SNF Agora faculty and senior fellows, and inclusion in all invitation-only SNF Agora programming. Visiting Fellows also have the opportunity to meet with senior university leadership and faculty in disciplines related to their area of inquiry. They also have access to the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries and associated electronic resources available to the university for their research. Becoming a Visiting Fellow also means joining a growing community of practitioners and scholars committed to strengthening democracy.
The SNF Agora Institute provides Visiting Fellows with a modest stipend to help defray the costs of their time with the institute. The stipend is pro-rated based on the time the fellow spends with the institute, the extent of their housing needs in Baltimore, and other factors. The stipend only rarely reaches $25,000 in a given academic year. (Please note that this limited-term position does not include benefits.) Fellows who have independent funding that would allow them to extend their time with SNF Agora should contact us. The institute provides all fellows with shared office space, some administrative and marketing support, and research support from students when available. The institute also offers help locating short-term housing, when applicable.
A Vibrant Community
SNF Agora's visiting fellows program supports the mission of strengthening global democracy by expanding the institute’s reach and incorporating a broader range of people into its work. The institute invites a cohort of fellows from diverse sectors, disciplines, backgrounds, and ideologies to join the institute to work with permanent faculty, researchers, and students on defined projects.
Eligibility
We encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds to apply. Prospective Visiting Fellows should have a clear idea of what they would like to contribute to the institute and the JHU community during their fellowship. They should plan to engage in their proposed project(s) for a predetermined period during the academic year. We will discuss the specific time commitment and expected workload in detail before making an official offer. Please see our FAQ for more information.
The institute supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and upholds the policies and statements of Johns Hopkins University. We also commit to selecting Visiting Fellows without regard for political preference or educational background.
How to Apply
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025-2026 visiting fellows program. Please bookmark this page for information regarding the next application cycle.
Selection Criteria
In general, we consider SNF Agora Visiting Fellow applicants based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of Project to SNF Agora: The applicant’s proposed project must relate to and/or complement the work of SNF Agora and its fellowship focus areas. Ideal Visiting Fellows draw a clear line from their proposal to the SNF Agora mission.
- Capacity: The applicant must have time in their schedule to organize and lead the activities they propose and to participate in institute programming. We will determine an agenda of commitments before the Visiting Fellow’s start date. Applicants should indicate their availability and their willingness to take part in a variety of engagements throughout the fellowship.
- Collaboration: The applicant should show openness to collaborate with other SNF Agora fellows, faculty, staff, students, and the broader JHU community. Since communication and open dialogue are core to our mission, we design our programming around these values.
- Cohort Coherence: We aim to build a cohort with a strong mix of expertise, backgrounds, and interests. Each year, we select a group of fellows whose work complements one another and aligns with the institute’s work and any stated thematic focus area.
