About IRCPL: The Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life (IRCPL) serves as the hub of scholarship, student and faculty research, and outreach on the intersection of religion, culture, and public life at Columbia University. The Institute provides a place for scholars, students, practitioners, and community members to engage with cutting edge approaches to creating and sharing knowledge about the role of religion in public life. IRCPL curates numerous ongoing public event series and supports multiple research projects across campus. We are a vital force for thought, collaboration, and communication among the members and groups within our vibrant and diverse community, and we honor our mission to focus attention on the intersection of religion and public life.
About the Fellowship: IRCPL invites proposals for our inaugural Shifting Paradigms Fellowship. The fellowship provides each cohort member with a $5,000 stipend, a $1,000 professional development fund, and a learning space for developing and implementing a project in conversation with IRCPL/Columbia staff and fellow cohort members. Aimed at creating a new knowledge community for emerging and established leaders working on the intersection of religion and public life, this initiative will provide space, resources (both intellectual and a stipend), and community for designing, developing, and implementing a public humanities project on the intersection of religion and public life. We are open to supporting a wide range of projects, including but not limited to, public-facing writings, workshops, podcasts, digital media, or works of art.
Fellows will have the opportunities to become a key part of IRCPL’s learning community. We envision an initial national cohort of 2-3 publicly engaged scholars, who will participate in a series of online professional development and peer-learning sessions on either side of a 3-day, in-person residential stay at Columbia University in Spring 2027. During the residential portion of the program, fellows will be in conversation with each other, participate in a workshop, and have the opportunity to interact with Columbia students and faculty. One of IRCPL’s core competencies is programming, so we will draw from our resources to work with fellows to deliver a work-in-progress program during their visit to Columbia.
At IRCPL, we recognize how challenging it can be to find conversation partners and cultivate sustained interactions with those engaged in similar work across sectors (higher education, policy, movement building spaces, etc.). Our new fellowship program aims to address this need at a crucial moment for building shared civic projects.
What We Offer:
A project completion stipend of $5,000
An additional professional development fund of $1,000
Travel, lodging, and meals in New York during the 3-day residential program
Sustained opportunities to be in community and conversation with IRCPL/Columbia staff and faculty, and the other members of the fellowship cohort
Commitments from the Fellowship Cohort (fellows are expected to):
Engage in thoughtful conversation and exchange with a cohort of scholars/leaders who are undertaking work on a similar timeframe.
Attend a 1-hour online orientation call as well as a 1-hour post-program virtual consultation to promote connection, conversation, and peer-learning.
Participate in a 3-day in-person residential program at Columbia University during Spring 2027, including presenting at a work-in-progress event.
Submit a short post-fellowship reflection/survey upon completion of the program.
Selection Criteria:
The potential of the project to offer new perspectives on, and approaches to, the understanding of religion and public life.
The ability of the project to benefit and engage multiple knowledge communities, including publics inside and outside of the academy.
The feasibility of the project and the likelihood that the applicant will be able carry out the proposed work during the award term.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree in a humanities or social sciences subject (an equivalent degree or years of relevant professional experience may be considered). Please note that current graduate students are not eligible.
Contingent and independent scholars working in professional spaces outside of the academy are encouraged to apply. Please be aware that applicants may not hold tenure-track or tenured academic positions during the fellowship.
Applicants must be based in the U.S and have the ability to travel to New York City to participate in fellowship-related activities, including a 3-day residential stay at Columbia University (travel to/from Columbia will be funded by IRCPL).
Deadline:
Applications are due on Friday, December 18, 2026.
Application Requirements:
Proposal ( maximum1000 words) detailing your project. Strong proposals will address the following questions: What is the project and its goal? Who does the project intend to serve (e.g., students, community members, faith/civic faith leaders, policymakers, etc.)? How does your professional and scholarly background position you to carry out this project successfully? How will the fellowship at IRCPL/Columbia at this moment enhance your professional development and ability to complete this project?
Career Narrative (maximum 500 words): Please tell us about yourself and your professional trajectory.
CV: CV or resume (maximum two pages)
References: The names and contact details of two academic/professional references (please note that IRCPL may contact referees of short-listed applicants)
Note: Short-listed applicants may be called for a virtual interview.
Applications Timeline:
October 2026 - Applications open
December, 18, 2026 - Deadline to submit applications
Winter 2026 - Applications reviewed
January 2027 - winners announced
February/March 2027 - First online cohort meeting
April 2027 - In-person residential stay at Columbia
Summer 2027 - Project wrap-up and final cohort online meeting