Deadline: December 1, 2025
Applications are open for the Perry World House Lightning Scholar Program 2026-2027. This program brings untenured, but tenure-track, faculty at either the assistant or associate level from around the world to Philadelphia for a semester or year of writing, fellowship, and bridging the gap between academia and the policy world.
Since launching in 2016, Perry World House has catalyzed interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research by scholars at Penn and around the globe and convened conversations in Philadelphia on the most pressing global challenges. With fellowship and scholar programs, Perry World House has connected Penn’s students and faculty with the world’s leading academics and policy makers, infusing our research, teaching and, engagement with the ideas, wisdom, and experience of those shaping world events.
This fellowship program allows untenured faculty members at leading research universities around the world to join Perry World House and the Penn community for a semester or full academic year in residence in Philadelphia to produce a major research project or book. While the fellowship program is for faculty working on global affairs topics, preference will be given to faculty working on subjects broadly related to Perry World House’s thematic research areas: Climate Change, Democracy, Global Justice and Human Rights, and Security.
Benefits
- The program’s compensation is significant and negotiated on a case-by-case basis. The program is intended to allow the selected Lightning Scholar to take a comfortable leave from their home institution, often by supporting the difference between a one semester sabbatical provided by the home institution and a full year leave.
- Although final compensation will depend on the circumstances of each applicant, the program will provide at least $50,000 as well as relevant fees and health insurance, if needed. The fellowship will also include $5,000 in research support, as well as the opportunity to help shape workshops and colloquia at Perry World House.
Eligibility
- Open to scholars who have either a Ph.D. or equivalent degrees (including a J.D.),
- Are standing faculty members at a college or university, and
- Are on the tenure track but still untenured.
Application
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning on December 1, 2025. Applicants must include a cover-letter, three-page proposal, writing sample, CV, a letter of support from their home department/institution, and a confidential letter of recommendation. To receive full consideration, applications and letters of support should be received by that date.
For more information, visit Perry World House Lightning Scholar.
