The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has officially opened applications for its highly competitive 2026–2027 Public Fellows Program, an exceptional opportunity designed for mid-career scholars seeking to amplify the public impact of their research.

Researchers working in the fields of religion, politics, culture, democracy, immigration, gender, and LGBTQ issues are invited to apply for this prestigious fellowship, which provides financial support, collaborative research opportunities, professional development, and direct engagement with leading scholars and public intellectuals.

Applications are now being accepted for the next cohort of PRRI Public Fellows, with submissions due by Friday, June 19, 2026.

About the PRRI Public Fellows Program

Established in 2017, the PRRI Public Fellows Program was created to bridge the gap between academic research and public discourse.

While scholars often produce groundbreaking research, much of this work remains confined to academic journals, conferences, and specialized audiences. PRRI seeks to change that reality by helping researchers effectively communicate their findings to policymakers, journalists, civic leaders, community stakeholders, and the broader public.

The fellowship is an 11-month, non-residential program that equips scholars with the skills, mentorship, resources, and networks necessary to transform rigorous academic research into accessible public scholarship.

Participants learn how to shape their expertise into impactful commentary, public analysis, media engagement, and thought leadership that can influence important conversations taking place across society.

Why the PRRI Public Fellows Program Matters

Today’s social and political landscape is increasingly shaped by complex issues involving religion, democracy, immigration, gender, identity, and cultural change.

Researchers possess valuable evidence and insights that can help inform public understanding and policy discussions. However, effectively communicating these findings beyond academic audiences requires specialized skills and support.

The PRRI Public Fellows Program provides scholars with an opportunity to:

Expand the reach of their research.
Influence public conversations.
Engage policymakers and journalists.
Develop public-facing communication skills.
Build interdisciplinary collaborations.
Strengthen their professional networks.
Produce research with measurable public impact.

The program recognizes that evidence-based scholarship can play a critical role in fostering informed democratic dialogue and addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges.

Research Areas for the 2026–2027 Cohort

PRRI will select a diverse cohort of nine scholars whose work aligns with one or more of the institute’s major research priorities.

1. Pluralism and Democracy

This research area explores questions related to:

Democratic participation
Civic engagement
Political institutions
Religious diversity
Social cohesion
Democratic norms and values
Public trust and governance

Scholars examining how diverse societies navigate democratic challenges are encouraged to apply.

2. Immigration and American Society

Researchers studying immigration-related topics may focus on:

Immigration policy
Social integration
Identity and belonging
Public opinion
Community development
Migration trends
Cultural adaptation
Economic and political impacts of immigration

PRRI is particularly interested in research that contributes to a deeper understanding of immigration’s role in contemporary society.

3. LGBTQ Rights and Gender Politics

This area supports scholars investigating:

Gender equality
LGBTQ rights
Gender identity
Public attitudes toward LGBTQ communities
Policy development
Social movements
Political representation
Religious perspectives on gender and sexuality

Research that advances understanding of evolving social and political debates around gender and LGBTQ issues is strongly encouraged.

Fellowship Benefits and Funding

One of the most attractive aspects of the PRRI Public Fellows Program is the substantial support available to selected fellows.

$5,000 Fellowship Stipend

Every fellow receives a direct stipend of:

$5,000

This funding helps support participation in the fellowship and related scholarly activities.

Up to $10,000 in Course Release Funding

Selected fellows may access:

Up to $10,000 in course release funds

These resources are intended to provide scholars with additional time to focus on research, writing, collaboration, and public engagement activities during the Spring 2027 semester.

Up to $10,000 in Collaborative Research Microgrants

The program also offers:

Up to $10,000 in microgrant funding

These grants support the design and implementation of collaborative research projects among fellows and other partners.

This funding creates opportunities for innovative interdisciplinary scholarship and expanded research impact.

Fully Funded In-Person Convening in Washington, D.C.

Public Fellows participate in an expenses-paid gathering hosted by PRRI in Washington, D.C.

Benefits include:

Networking opportunities
Professional development
Collaboration with fellow scholars
Engagement with PRRI leadership
Research presentations and discussions
Exposure to policy and media communities

The convening serves as a cornerstone of the fellowship experience and helps build lasting professional relationships among participants.

What Fellows Will Learn

Throughout the fellowship, participants receive support to strengthen their ability to communicate research beyond academic audiences.

Key areas of development may include:

Public Scholarship

Learning how to translate complex research findings into accessible content for broader audiences.

Media Engagement

Understanding how to work effectively with journalists and media outlets.

Policy Communication

Developing strategies to share evidence-based findings with policymakers and decision-makers.

Public Writing

Improving the ability to write op-eds, essays, public reports, and commentary pieces.

Thought Leadership

Building a public profile as a trusted expert in a specialized field of research.

Collaborative Research

Working with fellow scholars to create impactful interdisciplinary projects.

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is ideal for scholars who:

Want their research to reach wider audiences.
Seek greater public impact from their academic work.
Are interested in public scholarship and civic engagement.
Conduct research related to religion, politics, culture, democracy, immigration, gender, or LGBTQ issues.
Wish to collaborate with scholars from diverse disciplines.
Want to strengthen their communication and public engagement skills.

Selection of the 2026–2027 Cohort

PRRI aims to create a diverse cohort of nine fellows representing a range of disciplinary backgrounds, methodological approaches, perspectives, and research interests.

The fellowship values diversity of thought and encourages applications from scholars whose work contributes to meaningful public conversations.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should review the complete application requirements and prepare all required materials before submission.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review eligibility criteria, fellowship expectations, and application instructions provided by PRRI.

Official Information:
PRRI.org

Application Deadline

Friday, June 19, 2026

Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

Final Thoughts

The PRRI Public Fellows Program represents a unique opportunity for mid-career scholars who want to expand the influence of their research beyond academia.

Through generous funding, professional development opportunities, collaborative research support, and direct engagement with public audiences, the fellowship helps researchers transform scholarly knowledge into meaningful social impact.

For academics studying religion, politics, democracy, immigration, culture, gender, and LGBTQ issues, this program offers an exceptional platform to strengthen public engagement, build influential networks, and contribute to critical national conversations.

Interested scholars are encouraged to apply before the June 19, 2026 deadline and become part of the next generation of PRRI Public Fellows.

Apply here

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