[Smith Richardson Foundation](https://www.srf.org)

June 22, 2026 (Full proposal deadline)

$60,000 per award; at least three grants awarded annually

Supports early-career scholars and policy thinkers to research and write single-author books on U.S. foreign policy, international relations, and security.

Only single-author book projects are eligible; collaborative or edited volumes are not considered.

--- ## Description This annual program supports early-career scholars and policy thinkers focused on American foreign policy, international relations, international security, military policy, and diplomatic and military history. The goal is to strengthen the U.S. community of researchers conducting policy-relevant analysis in these fields. Funding enables recipients to research and write a single-author book that advances policy debates and fills knowledge gaps in the policymaking community. --- ## Due Dates - June 22, 2026: Full application/proposal submission deadline (all proposals must be received by this date; late submissions are not accepted) - Notifications of awards: November 9, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Each grant is $60,000 - At least three grants are awarded annually - Overhead/indirect costs may not exceed 10% of direct costs (max $5,454 for a $60,000 grant); the foundation encourages waiving overhead to maximize research funds --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must have a Ph.D. by the application deadline (J.D. or MBA not accepted as substitutes) - Must be affiliated with and sponsored by a U.S. organization (university or think tank) - Applicants from institutions outside the U.S. must have a properly incorporated U.S. 501(c)3 sponsor and a cover letter from that organization - Priority is given to applicants who earned their Ph.D. within the past seven years - Open to junior or adjunct faculty, research associates, post-docs, and rising policy thinkers - Only single-author book projects are eligible; collaborative projects, edited volumes, or collections of previously published work are not considered --- ## Application Process - Submit a complete proposal as a single PDF via email to [strategyfellows@srf.org](mailto:strategyfellows@srf.org) - Required documents: - Two cover letters (one from sponsoring institution, one from applicant) - Executive summary (one page) - Formal proposal (max ten pages, single-spaced) - One-page budget (showing total costs and amount requested) - Curriculum vitae (appendix) - (Optional) One piece of policy-relevant writing - Proposals must follow the detailed template provided by the foundation; see [application requirements and template](https://www.srf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Application-Requirements-and-Procedures-SPFP-2024.pdf) - Overhead charges must not exceed 10% of direct costs --- ## Additional Information - Only single-author book projects are eligible - The program is highly competitive, with at least three awards each year - The foundation strictly enforces the deadline; late applications are not considered --- ## External Links - [Program Overview and Official Guidelines](https://www.srf.org/programs/international-security-foreign-policy/strategy-policy-fellows-program/) - [Application Requirements and Proposal Template (PDF)](https://www.srf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Application-Requirements-and-Procedures-SPFP-2024.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Address | |------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Strategy & Policy Fellows Program | [strategyfellows@srf.org](mailto:strategyfellows@srf.org) | +1 (203) 222-6222 | 60 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, USA |

Strategy & Policy Fellows Program

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