Visiting Fellows Program
2027-28 Call for Applications
UC San Diego’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) at the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) hosts the largest residential fellowship program in the U.S. for research on Mexico and U.S.-Mexico relations. Each year, the program brings together top scholars from the social sciences, humanities, and related fields to form a multidisciplinary cohort of researchers.
Application Overview
Applications are accepted from Ph.D. candidates who are ABD (All But Dissertation) and have completed a substantial portion of their dissertations. Professors on sabbatical are also welcome to apply. You must be concurrently enrolled/employed at your home university to receive a cost-of-living allowance from USMEX. Residential periods may range from three to nine months, depending on the applicant’s desired length of stay and the approved duration of the fellowship. Depending on the approved length of stay, fellowships may start in October or January. Fellowships are not available during the summer months (June – August).
Those accepted into the program receive a cost-of-living allowance. This allowance will depend on various factors, including the length of the residential period, and will not exceed $15,200 USD. The cost-of-living allowance is also contingent upon your compliance with the program’s requirements, or any contingency affecting USMEX’s ability to meet this commitment.
Priority will be given to proposals that are policy-relevant, present a feasible plan of action, and/or contribute toward a better understanding of Mexico and/or U.S.-Mexico relations. Applications from Mexican scholars are strongly encouraged.
Postdoctoral Scholars
USMEX does not generally accept applications from postdoctoral scholars. In very limited cases, we may consider postdoctoral scholars who hold extramural funding that meets or exceeds the UC Salary Scale rate for their years of postdoctoral experience. To ask whether your situation qualifies, please contact USMEX at usmex-fellows@ucsd.edu with the subject line “Postdoctoral Scholar Inquiry.”
Non-Resident Fellows
Non-resident fellows are full members of the USMEX Fellows cohort who carry out their research from their home institution or city instead of in residence at UC San Diego. They take part in the program remotely, joining program activities via Zoom, and present their own work in a research seminar during the fellowship year.
Non-resident fellowships are by invitation only. Non-resident fellows are not eligible for a cost-of-living allowance but may receive travel reimbursement of up to $1,000 USD for visits to UC San Diego during the fellowship.
Application Process
Applicants must submit a one-page letter of intent in PDF format. The letter should explain why the applicant wants to pursue a fellowship at USMEX and describe the research or work they intend to complete during the fellowship. Letters should be submitted to usmex-fellows@ucsd.edu.
The deadline to submit the letter of intent is Feb. 6, 2027. Applicants will be notified by Feb. 17, 2027, if they are invited to submit a full application to participate in the program.
For more information, email usmex-fellows@ucsd.edu or contact USMEX Programs Coordinator Karla Tirado.
Application Cycle Timeline
November 2026 – January 2027: Fellow Recruitment to Submit Letters of Intent
Feb. 6, 2027: Letters of Intent Deadline
Feb. 17, 2027: Responses to Submit Full Applications
April 9, 2027: Application Deadline
April 12-30, 2027: USMEX Fellowship Selection Committee Meeting
May 14, 2027: Final Notifications
May 28, 2027: Response Deadline for Fellowship Offer
