The John Paul II Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme offers five postdoctoral positions jointly run by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

This program is designed for scholars who are not only academically accomplished but also committed to using their research to advance the Church’s social mission. Through their participation in this cohort, scholars will contribute to a broader body of knowledge aimed at improving the Church’s effectiveness in responding to the challenges posed by agentic AI and hybrid digital worlds, grounded in an anthropology and worldview that align more closely with the Church’s tradition than existing mainstream approaches.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must hold a Doctorate in fields such as Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Ethics, Theology (with demonstrated interest in Catholic Social Teaching – CST), Political Science, or a related discipline.
• Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in CST and practical social action.
• English proficiency (minimum B1 level) is required.

Scholarship Benefits

• Travel: A budget of €2,000 will be provided to each fellow to cover four round-trip airfares to Rome.
• Contribution to research and living expenses: €3,600, paid in two installments (50% in October 2026 and 50% in June 2027).
• Academic fees covered for one academic year.
• Research publication costs (if required).
• Attendance at PASS academic events during the intensive visits to Rome. Efforts will be made to enable fellowship holders to participate in as many PASS activities as possible.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• postdoctoral application form;
• personal statement of motivation;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• research proposal;
• original transcripts and diplomas of academic formation;
• copy of passport or ID card;
• academic letter of recommendation.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is April 19, 2026.

Additional details and the full application guidelines are available at this link.