The Notre Dame Provost Fellowship is a two-year postdoctoral appointment for outstanding early-career scholars at the University of Notre Dame. Selected fellows receive an annual salary of $75,000 plus $15,000 per year for research and professional training. The program offers faculty mentorship, office space, and opportunities to strengthen research, publishing, grant-writing, and teaching skills while participating in university-wide academic activities.
The fellowship is hosted by the College of Arts & Letters at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. For the 2027–2029 academic years, the College will appoint eight postdoctoral fellows across eight participating departments, institutes, and programs, including English, Philosophy, Theology, and the Initiative on Race and Resilience. Notre Dame is an Equal Opportunity Employer that supports interdisciplinary research and professional development within a Catholic identity.
Notre Dame Provost Fellowship Benefits
- Annual salary of $75,000
- Additional $15,000 per year for research-related expenses and professional training
- Two-year appointment during the 2027–2029 academic years
- Faculty mentorship and possible co-mentorship opportunities
- Office space provided by the hosting unit
- Professional development in research, academic publishing, grant writing, and teaching
- Participation in interdisciplinary lectures, colloquia, and panel discussions
- Access to more than 30 university-wide interdisciplinary centers and institutes
Notre Dame Provost Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have completed or plan to complete a doctoral degree between June 2024 and June 2027
- Scholars of all nationalities may apply
- Candidates may apply with or without a current permanent full-time research or teaching position
- Current postdoctoral scholars at the University of Notre Dame are not eligible
- Notre Dame doctoral candidates and Notre Dame graduates are not eligible
- Earlier doctoral completion may be considered for qualifying maternity, paternity, or FMLA leave within the previous two years
How to Apply for Notre Dame Provost Fellowship
- Prepare a cover letter of no more than 4 pages, double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins
- Prepare a curriculum vitae documenting academic and professional achievements
- Prepare a research statement of no more than 5 pages, double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins
- Select a writing sample of no more than 10,000 words
- Arrange at least three letters of recommendation for submission through Interfolio
- Submit the complete application through the Interfolio portal before December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
- Do not contact potential faculty mentors before applying; identify potential mentors in the research statement
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Notre Dame Provost Fellowship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, application requirements, and deadlines to help you prepare a complete application.
Is the fellowship open to international applicants?
Yes, the University of Notre Dame states that scholars of all nationalities may apply. There is no restriction based on citizenship, nationality, or region. Applicants must still meet the doctoral degree timeline and all other programme conditions. International candidates should be prepared to participate in a residential two-year postdoctoral appointment in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, for the 2027–2029 academic years.
What degree is required to apply?
Applicants must have completed or plan to complete a doctoral degree between June 2024 and June 2027. Earlier completion may be considered when the applicant had qualifying maternity leave, paternity leave, or Family and Medical Leave Act leave within the previous two years. A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree is required; candidates without a doctorate are not eligible.
Can someone who has not yet completed their PhD apply?
Yes. Applicants who expect to complete their doctoral degree by June 2027 may apply. The fellowship is intended for early-career scholars, including doctoral candidates nearing completion. However, current Notre Dame doctoral candidates and Notre Dame graduates are not eligible. All other eligible applicants must submit the complete application by December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
How many fellows will be selected?
The College of Arts and Letters will appoint a cohort of eight postdoctoral fellows for the 2027–2029 academic years. Each fellow will be hosted by one of eight participating departments, institutes, or programs, including the Department of Art, Art History, and Design; Department of English; Department of Philosophy; Department of Theology; and the Initiative on Race and Resilience.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship is a two-year appointment covering the 2027–2029 academic years. Fellows are expected to be in residence at the University of Notre Dame. This two-year structure provides sufficient time to develop research agendas, produce scholarly publications, pursue additional training, participate in academic activities, and build professional networks.
What financial support is provided?
Each fellow receives an annual salary of $75,000 plus an additional $15,000 per year for research-related expenses, professional training, and scholarly activities. Over the two-year fellowship, this represents up to $150,000 in salary and up to $30,000 in additional research and training support, making the program a substantial funded postdoctoral opportunity.
What application materials are required?
Applicants must submit a complete application through Interfolio, including a cover letter of no more than 4 pages, double-spaced with 12-point font and 1-inch margins; a curriculum vitae; a research statement of no more than 5 pages with the same formatting; a writing sample of no more than 10,000 words; and at least three letters of recommendation submitted through Interfolio.
Can recommenders email their letters directly?
No. Recommendation letters must be submitted through the Interfolio Faculty Search system rather than emailed directly to the University. Applicants should arrange at least three recommenders well before the deadline. Applications without the required number of recommendation letters will not be reviewed, so candidates should confirm all letters arrive by December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
Are there any exclusions on eligibility?
Yes. Current postdoctoral scholars at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame doctoral candidates, and Notre Dame graduates are not eligible to apply. Candidates may apply whether or not they currently hold a permanent full-time research or teaching position, provided they meet the doctoral degree timeline and all other programme conditions.
How can someone apply?
Interested candidates should prepare all required application materials and submit them online through the University of Notre Dame’s Interfolio application portal before December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants should not contact potential faculty mentors in hosting departments before applying; instead, identify potential mentors and explain their relevance in the research statement.
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