Building background

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be either doctoral candidates who will complete their PhD by August 2025 or recent graduates who received their PhD no earlier than September 2020. We welcome applications from academics in social sciences and humanities whose research engages with public policy, civic life, or political thought.

My degree is from a field not explicitly mentioned in the call. Should I apply?
We encourage applications from scholars whose work engages with public policy, civic life, or political thought, regardless of their home discipline. The key consideration is whether your research and teaching interests align with the Center's mission of promoting civic learning and dialogue.

What makes for a strong application?
Strong applications demonstrate evidence of:

  • Excellence in research that illuminates pressing challenges in public affairs
  • Vision for developing courses that engage students in civic life
  • Commitment to connecting academic insights with public audiences
  • Interest in fostering dialogue across difference
  • Plans for contributing to our intellectual community
  • Promise as a future public scholar

Do I need to submit official transcripts?
No, transcripts are not required for the initial application.

Can I submit additional materials beyond those listed in the call?
Please submit only the materials specifically requested in the call. Additional materials will not be reviewed.

Who should I indicate as a reference?
Choose references who can speak to your research quality, teaching ability, and commitment to public engagement. At least two references should be scholars in your field who can evaluate your academic work.

When are applications due?
Complete applications are due no later than Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET. For further information, please direct inquiries to moynihancenter@ccny.cuny.edu.

What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship is a one-year appointment, renewable once. The second year is contingent upon satisfactory performance in the first year.

What is the expected teaching load?
Fellows teach one undergraduate course per year. No teaching is required during the fall semester. Instead, fellows spend the fall developing their own course in collaboration with Moynihan Center leadership and peer fellows. Then, fellows teach their new course to CCNY undergraduates during the spring semester. Classes are capped at 35 students.

How does course development work?
During the first semester, fellows participate in structured course development workshops with Moynihan Center leadership and peer fellows. This collaborative process helps ensure courses align with both fellows' expertise and the Center's mission of promoting civic dialogue and public service. Fellows receive feedback on their syllabus, assignments, and teaching strategies before implementing their course during the second semester.

Can I design my own courses?
Yes. Fellows are encouraged to design courses that align with their expertise and the Center's mission. All course proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute to students' understanding of civic life and public service.

Is the weekly seminar mandatory?
Yes. The Moynihan Public Scholars Seminar is central to our intellectual community. Fellows must be able to be on the CCNY campus on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 2:00 PM throughout the academic year.

How often do fellows present their research?
Fellows present their work three (3) times during the academic year:

  • Two (2) times to the Moynihan Public Scholars Seminar, one (1) time during each semester
  • One (1) time to the Moynihan Undergraduate Fellows

Can I hold another position or fellowship simultaneously?
No. This full-time position requires residence at CCNY during the academic year.

What counts as evidence of public scholarship?
We recognize that opportunities for public engagement can be limited during graduate training. We are particularly interested in candidates who aspire to develop as public scholars and who can demonstrate early efforts or plans to engage broader audiences. These might include:

  • Organization of departmental events or workshops that brought academic discussions to broader audiences
  • Contributions to campus or community forums on political and social issues
  • Blog posts, op-eds, or other writing for public audiences
  • Participation in academic or community podcasts
  • Engagement with public discourse through social media
  • Other initial steps toward bridging academic and public spheres

Are there specific research topics the Center prioritizes?
We seek scholars whose work contributes to understanding and addressing major public challenges rather than prescribing specific research topics. Our priority areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Democratic institutions and civic life
  • Public policy and governance
  • Political communication and dialogue
  • Urban affairs and policy
  • Social inequality and mobility
  • Media and public discourse

What research support is provided?
Fellows receive $2,500 annually for research-related expenses. These funds may support conference travel, research materials, publication costs, or the organization of book proposal workshops (including travel costs for external participants). While the Center provides financial support, fellows are responsible for independently managing all logistical aspects of their research activities, including event organization and travel arrangements.

What benefits do fellows receive?
Fellows receive comprehensive benefits through the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, including health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

What is the fellowship compensation?
Fellows receive the following:

  • Annual salary of $70,000
  • Comprehensive benefits package through the Research Foundation of the City University of New York
  • Annual research support of $2,500
  • Office space on CCNY’s historic campus

Does the Moynihan Center provide housing?
Fellows are responsible for making their own housing arrangements, though the Center can provide guidance on housing options in New York City.

When does the fellowship begin?
The fellowship begins in August 2025. The exact start date will be determined in consultation with selected fellows.

What is the office space like?
Fellows have dedicated office space in the North Academic Center (NAC) on CCNY's campus, where the Moynihan Center and Colin Powell School offices are also located.