Call for Application: Peking University Berggruen Research Center Fellowship 2026—2027

Selected Berggruen Fellows will work on topics related to one of the Center’s three core themes: (1) Frontier Science, Technology, and Philosophy, (2) Creative Futures, and (3) Ancient Wisdom and Planetary Governance. The core themes serve as a broad guidance for applicants, who will need to propose their own specific research projects under those themes.

Click here to know more about 2025—2026 Berggruen Fellows, and Berggruen Fellow alumni.

Thinkers in all areas, including science, philosophy, sociology, art, etc. are welcome to join us. The fellowship is part-time and is expected to last one year from 2026 to 2027. The Center will negotiate with the fellow on their starting date. A yearly stipend of 200,000 CNY (before tax) will be paid to fellows monthly, and fellows are expected to be aware of their own income tax liability.

The selected fellows will negotiate an agreement with the Center to contribute to the Center’s yearly programs, such as writing short essays, organizing events, or conducting their own initiatives. Fellows are required to participate Center’s fellow gathering events. Fellows who are not based in Beijing are expected to spend some time in Beijing during the fellowship period and the Center will organize accommodation and transportation.

Criteria

• Fellows must be committed to intellectual work of the highest quality.
• Applicants should hold the highest degree in their field of study or commensurate research expertise.
• The fellowship program is open to all research backgrounds.

To Apply

Send application materials denoted below to ChinaCenter@berggruen.org before May 31, 2026:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Project Statement

A project statement (up to 1000 words) should answer two questions:

Question #1: What is your proposed project?
Concisely describe the work you plan to do during your fellowship year(s):

• Explain the specific questions and research ideas that you will explore as well as your working schedule for the entire year of your fellowship.
• Describe the public impact of your project: how will you collaborate with the Center to raise public awareness of the ideas?

Question #2: What is your most important work relevant to the Center’s three core areas?

3. Identify your most important book, book chapter, or article and explain its importance and its relevance to the Center’s work.

---

The application deadline is May 31, 2026. The Center’s Academic Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Lin Jianhua and Professor Roger T. Ames, will decide upon the awardees. The awardees will receive notification of their fellowship before July 31, 2026.