The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, established in 1987, is a highly-competitive national program that provides recent college and graduate school graduates the opportunity to work in Washington, DC. While working with one of more than two dozen participating public-interest organization, Scoville fellows get a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security. The program has awarded 190 fellowships since its inception and is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall.
Scoville Fellows may undertake a variety of activities, including research, writing, public education, and advocacy in support of the goals of their host organization and may attend coalition meetings, policy briefings, and Congressional hearings. Fellows have written articles, blogs, fact sheets, letters to the editor, op-eds and reports, organized talks and conferences, and been interviewed as experts by the media. Former Scoville Fellows work for U.S. and international NGOs, the Departments of Defense, Energy, State, and Treasury, members of Congress, academia, and media, and attend graduate school in political science or international relations, following their fellowships.
Scoville fellows create a project, in partnership with their host organizations, related to one of four broad areas:
- Nuclear Nonproliferation and WMD
This category includes but is not limited to: Nuclear nonproliferation and security; prevention of the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons; defense spending and procurement; U.S. interactions with current, de facto, or potential nuclear powers; protection of nuclear and radiological materials. - Climate and Security Nexus
This category includes but is not limited to: environmental concerns with security implications; disaster response with military personnel; international tensions arising from changing arctic region; regional and ethnic tensions exacerbated by resource competition. - Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
This category includes but is not limited to: current and potential incursions within or between neighboring countries; conventional weapons and arms trade; cross-border refugee movements; ethnic tensions with security implications; building international and regional institutions to resolve conflicts; development and implementation of novel conflict resolutions strategies; counterterrorism and terrorism reduction strategies; supporting international agreements that can lead to peace, prosperity, and sustainability. - Emerging Technology Threats
This category includes but is not limited to: questions related to the development, deployment, and use of drones, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, satellites and space in a security context.
Applicants whose area of interest falls outside of the above list are unlikely to be selected as a Scoville Fellow.
Selection Criteria
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship is a highly competitive fellowship designed for people who have already demonstrated a strong interest in the field. Successful candidates must be good writers who are adept at working in a fast-paced office environment. Twice a year, the fellowship’s board of directors selects top applicants to spend six to nine months in Washington.
Who can Apply
All U.S. citizens, as well as non-U.S. citizens living in the U.S. who have an appropriate work permit, are eligible to apply; foreign nationals living outside the United States are not eligible.
Value
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship provides a salary, health insurance, and travel costs to Washington, DC. The Scoville Fellowship does not award grant or scholarship money to students. The program also provides $1,000 per fellow for professional development to attend relevant conferences or meetings that could cover travel, accommodations, and registration fees.
Some lenders may permit Scoville Fellows to defer college loan payments during their fellowship. Check with your individual lenders.
Deadlines
The deadline for receipt of all application materials is:
- Spring 2021 Fellowship–October 2, 2020
- Fall 2021 Fellowship–January 4, 2021
Starting dates for Fellowship:
- Spring Fellowship–begin between January 15 and April 1
- Fall Fellowship–begin between July 15 and October 1
How to Apply
Information regarding applying and application material can be found at scoville.org/apply/application-information/#application.
If you have any other questions or if we may be of further assistance, please contact the Graduate Office.
Good luck with your application process.