Postdoctoral Fellow

The Ronald Reagan Institute’s Fellowship Program cultivates the next generation of scholars studying Ronald Reagan’s presidency, principles, policies. legacy, and era. The Reagan Institute funds two one-year fellowships for scholars who intend to revise their dissertation into a book-length manuscript.

The Ronald Reagan Institute welcomes projects that focus specifically on the Reagan presidency, but also those that situate the Reagan presidency in a broader context. We encourage applicants to submit projects that may pre-date or post-date the Reagan presidency so long as they consider the origins, legacy, or key themes of Ronald Reagan’s policies and politics. Book projects that focus on the years between 1964-2016 are most welcome, but the selection committee will consider projects in other temporal ranges so long as they deal with key themes of the Reagan presidency (e.g., peace through strength, democracy promotion, supply-side economics and the growth of free markets, evolution of conservatism and political coalitions, limited government philosophies, technological innovation, immigration reform, social security reform, conservatism and the courts, religion and morality politics, etc.) The Ronald Reagan Institute encourages applicants to think creatively about connecting their work to Ronald Reagan.

Applicants must complete their Ph.D. or terminal degree by September 1, 2025 in history, political science, economics, communications studies, law, or a related field. Fellows are awarded a $75,000 stipend and also provided with a $5,000 research account. The Reagan Institute expects that fellows will produce a full manuscript that is ready for initial submission to an academic or high-quality commercial press by the end of their fellowship period. Following their residence at the Reagan Institute, postdoctoral fellows are strongly encouraged to pursue an academic career or other professional opportunities in research and scholarship. The fellowship term lasts from September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026. International applicants are welcome to apply. 

The application period opens on November 15, 2024, and closes on January 15, 2025. Fellowships will be announced March 1, 2025.

Program Benefits 

• $75,000 stipend + $5,000 research account to offset the costs of travel and professional activities related to the production of their manuscript.   
• Mentorship from senior academics who advise fellows and review their manuscript.
• One-on-one support from an archivist at the Reagan Presidential Library.
• Institutional support in generating press interest. 
• Dedicated office space, research library access, and opportunities to participate in Reagan Institute programming as desired.  
• If desired, opportunities to teach undergraduate courses on the American presidency. 

Program Requirements  

• PhD/terminal degree in hand by September 1, 2025. 
• Engagement with scholars in the Reagan Scholars Network and the America in the World Consortium. 
  • Presentation at annual academic conference at the Reagan Library. 
  • Participation in the Reagan Roundtable seminar series (5 times per year). 
  • Circulation of your scholarship within this network of scholars. 
• Acceptance of the award constitutes a commitment by each fellow to produce a book manuscript by the end of the fellowship year.

Application Instructions 

*Please submit all documents as PDFs. Do not send in zip files.

• All application materials should be emailed to Anthony Eames at aeames@reaganfoundation.orgby 11:59 EST on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
• Executive summary(maximum 1 page)
• Project Proposal (maximum 3 pages)
  • Description of methods and approach, including the importance of materials at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library to your study. 
  • Relevance of your book to the study of Reagan presidency, legacy, and era, as well as its potential impact on your broader field of specialization. 
  • Outline of book.
• Writing Sample (20 to 30 pages) 
• CV
• Unofficial Transcripts 
• Two letters of recommendation (one of which should be from your advisor) 
  • Letters should be sent directly to Anthony Eames at aeames@reaganfoundation.orgwith the subject line reading “Letter of Reference for “Applicant Name.” 
• For more information see, https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/scholarly-initiatives/postdoctoral-visiting-fellows-program/