The Åland Islands Peace Institute invites applications for the Åland Peace Fellowship for a funded research stay of approximately two months during 2026.
We are seeking a Peace Fellow with documented interest in questions of territorial autonomy. Working experience from an autonomous region is considered a merit. The research which will be performed during the fellowship does not need to include Åland as a case but should be relevant to Åland’s context and have the potential to contribute to local discussions on autonomy, minorities, and/or security.
The Peace Fellow is expected to write a scholarly article for publication in the Journal of Autonomy and Security Studies (JASS, https://jass.journal.fi), and to contribute to the Institute’s seminars and communication activities occurring during the stay. In addition, opportunities to present research at a public seminar for a local audience and to publish in the Institute’s report series can be discussed.
The fellowship includes:
- Return ticket (economy class) to Mariehamn
- Monthly stipend of 1200 euros (maximum two months)
- Accommodation in Mariehamn (single room or assistance in finding suitable accommodation)
- Workspace and access to the Institute’s library and networks
- Collegial support and opportunities to discuss your research with Institute staff and its Research council
Who Can Apply?
For 2026, we are seeking a Peace Fellow who focuses on issues of territorial autonomy, and who can preferably contribute with a comparative perspective from other autonomous regions. We welcome both early-career and more senior researchers in law, peace research, political science, international relations, or related disciplines. Applicants should have at least a mid-term PhD candidate status. Applicants from islands or autonomous regions are especially encouraged to apply. A good command of English is required.
Selection and Assessment
Selection is made by the Institute’s Research Council based on research quality, relevance to Åland and the Institute’s area of work, and the potential to contribute to local knowledge development. To ensure quality and relevance, an abstract or a research idea for the JASS article is required at the time of application. The decision will be made in January, which means the stay can begin in March at the earliest. However, the stay may take place at any time during the year, except in July and August, subject to agreement between the selected candidate and the institute.
Your application should include:
- Letter of motivation (including contact details and a description of how the stay will contribute to your research and to the Institute’s work)
- Abstract and research plan (max 1500 words) for the article to be published in JASS
- Short CV (max 2 pages)
- Writing sample (e.g., article, report, thesis)
- Preferred period of stay (from a few weeks up to several months)
Applications should be submitted no later than November 26th 2025 to [email protected].
For questions, contact the Institute’s Director, Susann Simolin, at [email protected].
Learn more about the Åland Islands Peace Institute: www.peace.ax
Learn more about JASS: jass.journal.fi
We also gratefully acknowledge the support from the Olof M Jansson Foundation, which makes the Åland Peace Fellow 2026 possible. We are also grateful to everyone who has donated to the Åland Peace Fund.