APSA Diversity Fellowship Program
The 2026-2027 APSA Diversity Fellowship Program, Spring Cycle is now closed. Recipients will be announced in April of 2026.
Each spring, the program offers fellowships to graduate students in the pre-dissertation stage of their doctoral program. The Spring DFP is a one time award of $2000, depending on funding availability.
Submit an online application form, which includes fields for personal statement, resume, and list of references.
- A letter of enrollment verification. (submit via online application form)
- Official transcripts (submit online, email, or mail). Provide transcripts or degree audits from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. All transcripts should be uploaded to the online application.
- Letters of recommendation (submit online) Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by faculty members who are familiar with your academic work.
Spring DFP Application Criteria and Qualifications
Applicants for the Diversity Fellowship Program Spring Cycle must be a first or second year graduate student, and currently enrolled in a political science PhD program. A letter of enrollment verification is required. Fellows will receive a one-time award of $2000 to support their graduate study.
Please note: Current APSA D/MFP Fellows are not eligible to apply.
Spring applicants must be:
- A current first or second year graduate student, currently enrolled in a political science PhD program. Masters students are not eligible for the spring cycle of the fellowship.
- Engaged in political science research and scholarship primarily focused on race, ethnicity, systemic racism, gender, LGBTQ politics, disability politics, Indigenous politics, or issues of tribal sovereignty and governance.
- A US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) at the time of application.
- Able to demonstrate an interest in teaching and potential for research in political science.
First generation students/scholars and individuals from the following historically under-represented racial/ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and scholars of MENA descent are strongly encouraged to apply.
Profiles of APSA Diversity Fellows are published online and in Political Science Today.
To apply, create an APSA profile and submit an online application. All application materials must be submitted through the online application system to be reviewed by the selection committee. You may submit unofficial transcripts or degree audits in lieu of official transcripts for the purposes of application review.
Questions
Questions about the application process or program can be directed to the APSA Diversity & Inclusion Programs team, at diversityprograms@apsanet.org.
For further information on the APSA Diversity Fellowship Program, please visit these frequently asked questions.
Participation in APSA Diversity and Inclusion Programs is open to all interested individuals without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants must satisfy any relevant program-specific criteria.