Pardee Institute Fellows Program (2026–27)

Pardee Institute Fellows Program (2026–27) is sponsored by Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures / University of Denver. A competitive fellowship for first‑year graduate students to train and work on Pardee’s International Futures (IFs) modeling system, including data, scenario testing, and policy analysis.

Pardee Fellows Program - Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs Institute for International Futures International Futures Platform There's still time to apply! Accepting applications for Fall 2026 with scholarship support available. Apply now!

Back to Korbel Apply Contact Give Visit Institute for International Futures International Futures Platform Joint & Dual Degrees Certificates List of Degrees International Applications News Events Faculty Features Denver Democracy Summit Leadership/Board of Directors Pardee Institute Pardee Fellows Program The Pardee Institute Fellows Program The Pardee Institute Fellows Program is designed to immerse highly capable students in learning advanced research methods and their real-world applications.

Specifically, Pardee Institute Fellows will develop knowledge and expertise using the Pardee Institute's signature International Futures (IFs) tool , understanding literature review methodologies, and applying various research techniques.

For the 2026–27 cycle, we will select one exceptional student to join the Pardee Fellows Program and focus our time, training, and project opportunities on supporting that fellow’s growth as an integrated, systems-focused researcher. Scroll for more information about the program and the application process. Q: What can I expect to gain from this experience?

A: You can expect to build strong skills in research, data analysis, and policy-focused forecasting, with a particular emphasis on using Pardee's International Futures (IFs) model to explore long-term, integrated development scenarios. You will receive structured, paid training and project work from Pardee faculty and researchers, helping you grow as an integrated, systems-focused thinker.

Much of your experience may come from internal work that keeps IFs robust and useful—working with datasets, updating model inputs, testing scenarios, and documenting methods and results. When there are active projects that align with your skills and partner needs, you may also contribute to external, policy-facing analyses for organizations such as international agencies or regional bodies.

Together, these experiences are designed to be both intellectually rewarding and professionally useful as preparation for careers in international development, economics, government, or policy research. Q: What is the work like?

A: As a Pardee Fellow, you can expect two main kinds of work: (1) internal infrastructure that supports the International Futures (IFs) modeling system, and (2) when projects are aligned with your skills and interests, external analysis for policy audiences.

Internal work focuses on keeping IFs robust and useful, typically involving cleaning and organizing datasets, updating model inputs and infrastructure, testing scenarios, and developing and updating user documentation.

When there is a good match with project needs, you may also join teams contributing to external projects, such as comparing IFs with other forecasting tools, building and interpreting scenarios, and helping turn findings into figures, tables, or written sections for reports and briefings.

Across both types of work, you will regularly use tools like Excel, pull results from IFs, and practice communicating concise, focused analysis and summaries. Q: Is prior modeling experience required? A: Prior modeling experience is preferred but not required.

Familiarity with topics related to the domains featured in IFs is helpful, but not required for the application. Over the course of the program, Fellows will receive training on the tool, along with complementary assignments to develop expertise through hands-on work with IFs, learning to analyze data, create visualizations, and contribute to high-impact research. Q: Who is eligible to participate?

A: Must be a first-year graduate student with at least 18 months remaining in their academic program as of the start of the fall 2026 quarter. Q: Does this program offer tuition support or opportunities for paid work? A: Yes—on a competitive basis.

The student selected as the 2026–27 Pardee Fellow will receive tuition support of up to $40,000 per year, if eligible, plus the possibility of additional hourly pay for time spent on training and project assignments.

Current Pardee Fellows completing their fellowships in 2026–27 will continue to receive the tuition support committed when they joined the program—up to $10,000 per year for eligible students—and may also be considered for paid hourly work on training and assignments as opportunities arise and align with project needs. DU Jumpstart students are not eligible for tuition support.

You must be formally admitted to your degree program before you can be considered for this award. After admission decisions are made, the pool of admitted students is reviewed by Pardee for Fellowship selection. See below for more application instructions.

Q: What Kind of Commitment Can I Expect? A: This program is a two-year commitment. Rather than a fixed weekly load, the Fellowship is structured around a target of 10-20 paid research and training hours per week during the academic year.

All Fellows are paid for formal Fellowship training sessions. Beyond that core, hours will fluctuate based on project needs, with periods of no active assignments and stretches when the full 20 hours are available. Fellows work closely with their supervisors to align this evolving workload with their academic schedules and goals, including around exams, internships, and other commitments.

Fellows demonstrating strong performance may also be considered for additional paid hours over breaks and during the summer when there is active project work. A: Thank you for your interest! We look forward to receiving applications from those who are passionate about making a meaningful impact in integrated assessment modeling, qualitative research, and policy engagement.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Academic Year cohort open February 16, 2026. Please scroll to "Additional Information" for detailed instructions on eligibility, required materials, and how to submit your application . A: IFs distills long-term change down to a set of rules that simulate the interaction of economies, societies, and the environment over long time horizons, making it possible to plan for future outcomes.

IFs is the only open-source integrated assessment platform and forecasting tool that, in combination, (a) uses a hybrid approach of systems dynamics, econometrics, and other quantitative techniques; (b) incorporates and leverages over 5,000 historical series to analyze and forecast hundreds of interconnected, macro-level variables across human, social, and natural systems; and (c) includes forecasts for 188 countries in one-year time steps from 2022 through the end of this century and beyond.

IFs forecasts across 11 dynamically connected submodules: agriculture, demographics, economics, education, energy, environment, governance, health, human development, infrastructure, and international relations. By integrating these systems, IFs can simulate how changes in one system may ripple through all systems. Learn more.

Must be a first year graduate student with have at least 18 months remaining in their academic program for the Pardee Fellows Program as of the start of the Fall 2026 quarter.

Demonstrated interest in international relations and global affairs, quantitative long-term integrated assessment modeling, literature-based research, and policy-engaged analysis Completed coursework or experience in research methods and tools Experience managing projects Experience with SharePoint file management, Microsoft Excel, and other data analysis and management tools Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment in which faculty, staff, students, and community partners from diverse backgrounds and cultural identities feel welcome and valued Demonstrated willingness and eagerness to develop your quantitative skills further Curious and detail-oriented Professional and efficient communication skills Strong problem-solving skills Strong time management skills Applications will open on February 16, 2026 12:00am Mountain Time.

Link to apply to the Pardee Fellow Program: https://udenver. qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_40iaY5j4dS2d1um Applications are due by 11:59PM Mountain Time on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Applications received after this deadline may not be considered. Please include and clearly identify the following materials in your application: One-page description/Statement of alignment of how your interests, career goals, and background make you a great candidate for this program. You are encouraged to reference previous work completed by the Pardee Institute to explain the context of your candidacy.

Examples are provided on this page further below. Letter(s) of Recommendation The application form allows you to upload letters in your online submission. You also have the option to have your recommender send your letter directly to [email protected] with your name referenced in the subject line.

Transcript or other documentation to show enrollment and academic program progress NOTE: Please save each application component as a PDF using this naming format: last name_position title. Example: Resume_Smith_ Pardee Fellow Examples of Pardee's Work Previous work at the Institute includes many students, much of which can be learned about by reading Annual Reviews published by the Institute ( https://korbel. du.

edu/pardee/publications/annual-reviews ). Below is a list of recent publications, both peer-reviewed and reports, that highlight student involvement in the publication process and organizations that support Pardee’s research: Evaluating development policy choices for Uganda https://korbel. du.

edu/sites/default/files/2021- Ethiopia development trends assessment https://korbel. du. edu/pardee/resources/ethiopia-development-trends-assessment The future of international influence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine published by the Stimson Center: https://www.

stimson. org/2023/spheres-of-influence-in-the-coming-decades-four-alternative-scenarios/ Forecasting the rise of China under alternative scenarios in peer review: https://www. tandfonline.

com/doi/pdf/10. 1080/10670564. 2022.

2071879 Assessing recovery in Yemen, one of three reports done for UNDP: https://www. undp. org/publications/assessing-impact-war-yemen-pathways-recovery Conditions for Success in the African Continental Free Trade agreement, one of multiple reports done in partnership with the African Union: https://papers.

ssrn. com/sol3/papers. cfm?

abstract_id=3941470 Pursuing sustainable development in a world reshaped by COVID, a report done for UNDP: https://sdgintegration. undp. org/sites/default/files/Foundational_research_report.

pdf Climate and poverty—a report done for USAID: https://drive. google. com/file/d/1JBOyCfPposMSw637pfox2qUaEi5NPRX_/view How many people will COVID push into poverty?

A peer reviewed piece in PLOS ONE: https://journals. plos. org/plosone/article?

id=10. 1371/journal. pone.

0270846 The Sustainable Development Goals—an invited chapter in the Europa Directory of International Organizations: https://www. taylorfrancis. com/chapters/edit/10.

4324/9781003292548-4/sustainable-development-goals-past-present-future-taylor-hanna-jonathan-moyer-wondemneh-pawlose 2201 S. Gaylord St. Denver, CO 80208 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Emergency Preparedness International Student & Scholar Services Media Access your DU portal Visit Are you prepared for purpose?

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