Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute is accepting fall 2027 Peace Studies PhD applications, due 1 December 2026. Admitted students receive full tuition funding, a stipend, health insurance and research support. This is a doctoral admission route with funding attached, rather than a standalone cash scholarship.
Funding and deadline at a glance
| Host | University of Notre Dame, Kroc Institute, Indiana, USA |
|---|---|
| Entry | Fall 2027 |
| Funding | Full tuition, stipend, health insurance, conference and research support |
| Deadline | 1 December 2026; the admissions page does not specify a time or time zone |
The public programme pages do not quantify the 2027 stipend. Read the eventual offer for payment schedule, duration, duties and renewal conditions. Do not build a budget around an unofficial amount. Notre Dame’s cost-of-living comparison links to itemized graduate expense estimates; use those to consider housing, food, transport and personal costs.
Which Peace Studies PhD route fits you?
The programme overview lists International Peace Studies and six joint routes: Anthropology, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Theology paired with Peace Studies. These offer different disciplinary homes for peace research.
International Peace Studies expects a relevant research master’s. Joint routes expect disciplinary preparation; Theology requires a theology master’s. International applicants are eligible. A programme’s admission requirements still apply.
ScholarshipHubNow’s interpretation: choose the route by the methods your question needs. Research on community experience may suit ethnographic preparation; an institutional explanation may call for political science; a historically grounded argument needs historical evidence. These are examples for planning, not admissions promises. Compare faculty work and departmental training before choosing.
Documents and application requirements
Prepare a CV, transcripts, a statement of intent (up to 1,000 words), an English single-author writing sample (up to 30 pages), and three referees, including an academic referee. A thesis excerpt needs an abstract of up to 250 words. GRE requirements vary by joint route.
For English testing, Kroc lists TOEFL/IELTS, while the Graduate School’s international guidance also includes Duolingo. Confirm acceptance for your chosen route. The Graduate School lists IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 120, and TOEFL thresholds differing by scoring system; some programmes require higher scores. Its waiver guidance includes native English speakers and applicants with a degree or at least two years of post-secondary study taught in English.
How to apply
- Check your route. Read Kroc’s current requirements and the partner department’s guidance.
- Build a faculty-fit shortlist. Connect your proposed question with research expertise and name relevant faculty in the statement.
- Prepare evidence. Select a writing sample that shows a clear argument and your analytical ability; ask referees early.
- Apply online. Use the official Graduate School application portal and upload required material.
- Submit early. Check the portal’s local instructions, test receipt and reference status rather than assuming an unstated midnight cutoff.
Fee waivers exist but are not automatic for every applicant; use the links on the official admissions page. Kroc accepts uploaded application materials, not paper or emailed submissions.
Selection and practical applicant guidance
Kroc reviews completed applications and invites selected candidates to a virtual visit and interview in late January or early February. It publishes no numerical selection rubric on the admissions page.
Our applicant guidance: make your application tell one coherent research story. Explain the problem, the gap you want to investigate, the evidence you could use, and why the selected route provides the right training. A broad commitment to peace is valuable, but it does not by itself demonstrate readiness for a research doctorate.
For example, replace “I want to solve conflict” with a manageable question about a particular process, population or institution. Explain how you would investigate it, while acknowledging that the project can evolve during doctoral training. Avoid claiming access to sensitive field sites that you have not secured.
Choose referees who can describe your independent thinking and response to feedback. Give them your research outline and relevant work so their examples can support the application’s central argument. For the writing sample, prioritize reasoning, evidence and clarity over an impressive topic with weak analysis.
Before an interview, prepare to explain why the research matters, what you still need to learn, and how your background supports the project. Treat the funding offer as a document to assess carefully: check summer coverage, health-insurance terms, any dependent costs and academic progress requirements.
Other doctoral funding to compare
- Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship 2027: Up to CAD 70,000/Year
- Cambridge Harding Scholarship 2027–28: Fully Funded PhD
- Imperial President’s PhD Scholarships 2027–28: Fully Funded
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28 | Fully Funded UK
These opportunities differ in discipline, nationality rules and admission procedures. Use each official provider’s current requirements to build a realistic shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Is this fully funded?
It provides tuition, a stipend and health insurance, plus research-related support. The formal offer determines the detailed package; full funding should not be interpreted as every personal or family expense being covered.
Can I apply with only a bachelor’s degree?
Some joint routes do not require prior graduate study, but relevant disciplinary preparation matters. International Peace Studies and Theology have master’s requirements.
Is there a separate scholarship application?
Kroc describes funding for all admitted doctoral students. Follow the PhD admission process and check the offer’s financial terms.
What is the deadline time zone?
The current Kroc admissions page gives the date but no cutoff time or zone. Verify portal instructions and submit ahead of the deadline.
Official sources and Apply Now
- Kroc: current admissions cycle, documents, deadline and review process
- Kroc: degree routes and funding
- Notre Dame: international applicant and English-test guidance
- Notre Dame: cost-of-living resources
Apply Now — Notre Dame Graduate School
Official information checked on 12 October 2026. Contact krocphd@nd.edu for programme-specific clarification.
