Duke Kunshan University Global Fellows Program
Guidelines for the 2026-2027 Fellowship
Applications accepted on a rolling basis up to January 15, 2026. Review of applications will begin on December 1.
The DKU Global Fellows Program is designed to offer an international experience to post-doctoral scholars or advanced doctoral students whose records demonstrate excellence in teaching and an interest in pursuing an academic career DKU Global Fellows teach at Duke Kunshan University (DKU) for the Undergraduate Program.
Most courses at DKU are taught in 7-week terms; a few courses are taught over a semester. Contact hours for all classes are the same; in particular, the number of contact hours for a 7-week course is the same as a 14-week course. Courses might include sections of common courses, distinct elective courses, lab sections or recitations. Assignment of classes will be determined by Fellow specific expertise and by DKU teaching needs.
The Fellowship is contingent upon successful receipt of the appropriate type of Chinese visa. Fellows may teach for a 7-week term up to a full academic year based on DKU teaching needs and the Fellow’s availability and his/her related education and experience required for immigration purposes. Chinese Language fellows will join the faculty in DKU’s Language and Culture Center to deliver world-class teaching in Chinese Language.
The award carries a $13,000 stipend ($17,000 for fellows who have completed their PhD) for two courses, a $1,500 allowance for costs related to research or course preparation, travel costs to/from China, health insurance, and a housing allowance.
Post-doctoral fellows or advanced doctoral students from all disciplines are invited to apply.
Candidates in following areas are encouraged especially to apply: Chinese Language, Chinese History, Environmental Science, Statistics, Media Arts, Film, Photography, Philosophy, and Psychology, Political Theory, Sustainability Studies, Environmental Science and Policy, Political Economy, and Chinese Politics
Eligibility for the DKU Global Fellows Program
Applicants must have recently completed a university doctoral program, or be full-time students, in good standing, in a university doctoral program and have advanced to doctoral candidate status at the time of application. Students who expect to complete their doctoral degree before the fellowship year begins are also welcome to apply.
Applicants should:
Have completed between 5 and 7 years of doctoral study at the time of application.
Be able to participate in the fellowship for at least 7 weeks of the 2026-27 academic year. Conditional on a successful review, fellows will have the option to be renewed for a second semester.
Expect to devote themselves full time to their teaching and research during the time at DKU. Fellows may not undertake other teaching or research opportunities at DKU, Duke or elsewhere during the period of the fellowship.
NOTE FOR DUKE APPLICANTS ONLY: When applicable, the DKU Global Fellows Program replaces other graduate school stipend and scholarship funding a student may have been scheduled to receive for the fellowship year. Eligibility for other funding cannot be “banked” for use in a subsequent year, though this should not limit a department’s internal funding structure. Fellows who receive offers for other awards should contact the Graduate School to determine whether the two awards may be held concurrently. The DKU Fellowship will cover tuition fees at Duke University for a semester.
Selection Process
Applicants from all disciplines are invited to apply: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30688
Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated excellence in teaching, a commitment to liberal arts education, and who have completed their dissertation or are close to completing their dissertation.
Fellow selection will be guided by the need, priorities and preferences for particular fields and courses expressed by DKU. The number and type of Fellows needed will vary somewhat from year to year.
Application Process
Application
The Academic Jobs Online application software is used to submit applications.
You will be asked to upload the following documents:
A current curriculum vitae.
A cover letter outlining your teaching experience and interests; preference (if any) for 7 or 14 weeks in the Fall or Spring semester or for the academic year; long-term career goals.
Your university transcript (a copy of an unofficial transcripts issued to the student is acceptable).
A teaching statement, describing teaching goals, strategies, and/or philosophy.
A one-page summary of (a) all quantitative evaluation data for courses taught or TA’d and (b) the two most prominent positive and negative themes from the qualitative data.
A one-page outline of your dissertation, including completion status and timeline.
A letter of support from your Ph.D. advisor?or postdoc supervisor describing your dissertation status and progress, and your fit with this fellowship program.
At least one faculty letter of recommendation assessing your teaching skills and scholarly promise.
Instructions: to apply, please visit https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30688
Award Notifications
Applicants will be notified of award decisions by March 1, 2026,
Contact: William Parsons,
Dean of Undergraduate Curricular and Academic Affairs (wbp6@duke.ed)