The Brookings Institution’s David M. Rubenstein Fellows program supports outstanding early- and mid-career scholars through two-year fellowships focused on local, national and global policy issues. The program places fellows across Brookings research programs, providing an opportunity to contribute to policy research and build expertise in areas including economics, governance, foreign policy and development.
The Brookings Institution David M. Rubenstein Fellows program offers an opportunity for talented scholars to deepen their policy research experience while working within one of the world’s prominent public policy research organizations.
Supported by a gift from Brookings Trustee David M. Rubenstein, the fellowship program was established as part of Brookings’ broader commitment to strengthening diversity within its scholarly community. According to the available Brookings program information, the fellowships are designed for outstanding early- and mid-career scholars and last for two years.
About the Brookings Fellowship
The David M. Rubenstein Fellows program provides a research environment for scholars working on important policy questions at local, national and global levels.
The available program information states that 10 fellows are placed across five Brookings research programs. These areas include:
- Economic Studies
- Global Economy and Development
- Metropolitan Policy
- Governance Studies
- Foreign Policy
This structure gives fellows the opportunity to pursue research within a specialized policy area while contributing to the broader work of the Brookings Institution.
The program can therefore be particularly relevant to researchers interested in economics, international development, governance, public policy, foreign affairs, urban policy and other fields connected to major social and economic challenges.
Who Are the Fellows?
The Brookings program has brought together scholars with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
The available Brookings information highlights fellows whose work has covered topics including artificial intelligence and the economy, development economics, environmental economics, housing policy, health policy, immigration, African political economy, U.S.-China relations, defense innovation and arms control.
For example, the 2021 class included Anton Korinek, whose research examined the economic and social effects of advances in artificial intelligence and policy approaches to managing AI’s transformative potential.
The same class included Belinda Archibong, whose research focused on development economics, political economy, economic history and environmental economics, with an emphasis on Africa.
Other fellows brought expertise in areas such as housing and infrastructure, sub-Saharan African political economy, health policy, racial equity, U.S.-China relations and emerging technologies in defense and arms control.
These examples demonstrate the breadth of policy research associated with the fellowship.
Research Areas and Policy Impact
One of the strongest features of the Rubenstein Fellowship is its focus on research connected to real-world policy questions.
Fellows have worked on issues that affect governments, communities, businesses and international institutions. Research represented in the program includes questions surrounding:
Economic Policy
Economic Studies fellows have examined subjects including social policy, immigration, health, financial stability and the economic consequences of technological change.
Global Development
Researchers in Global Economy and Development have studied development economics, political economy, human capital, inequality and environmental challenges, including issues affecting countries in Africa.
Metropolitan Policy
The Metropolitan Policy Program has provided a setting for research into housing, infrastructure, communities, environmental policy and local economic outcomes.
Governance
Governance Studies fellows have conducted research involving public policy, health, political participation, racial equity and government decision-making.
Foreign Policy
The Foreign Policy program has supported research covering international security, U.S.-China relations, East Asian security, arms control, nonproliferation and defense innovation.
The diversity of these research areas reflects the breadth of policy challenges addressed across Brookings’ research programs.
Why the Fellowship Matters for Future Policy Experts
For scholars seeking careers in policy research, academia, government, international organizations or research institutions, an environment centered on policy analysis can be particularly valuable.
The Rubenstein Fellowship combines scholarly research with exposure to questions that have implications beyond academia. Fellows can develop specialized expertise while working within research programs focused on major economic, social, domestic and international issues.
The backgrounds of previous fellows also illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of policy research. Several combined advanced academic training with experience in universities, government agencies, international organizations, research institutions and policy organizations.
This makes the fellowship particularly relevant for researchers who want to connect rigorous academic work with practical policy discussions.
A Two-Year Research Opportunity
The fellowship is structured as a two-year appointment, giving scholars a substantial period to develop and pursue research within their assigned Brookings program. The program information describes the fellows as early- and mid-career scholars selected for their outstanding potential.
A two-year research period can provide scholars with the time needed to develop substantial research projects, engage with policy debates and build professional relationships within a research-focused environment.
Previous Fellows and Areas of Expertise
The 2021 class provides a useful illustration of the types of expertise represented by the program.
Among the scholars listed by Brookings were:
- Anton Korinek — Economic Studies
- Belinda Archibong — Global Economy and Development
- Carlos Martín — Metropolitan Policy Program
- Danielle Resnick — Global Economy and Development
- Gabriel R. Sanchez — Governance Studies
- Keon L. Gilbert — Governance Studies
- Patricia M. Kim — Foreign Policy
- Tara Watson — Economic Studies
- Tonantzin Carmona — Metropolitan Policy Program
- Amy J. Nelson — Foreign Policy
Their research backgrounds span economics, political science, public policy, environmental issues, housing, health, international relations and security.
What Applicants Should Know
The available source describes the fellowship and previous classes but does not provide a current application deadline, current eligibility requirements or a current application procedure.
Therefore, prospective applicants should not assume that the information from the historical program page represents a currently open application cycle.
Anyone interested in future Brookings fellowship opportunities should check the institution’s current fellowship and careers information before preparing an application.
Final Takeaway
The David M. Rubenstein Fellows program at the Brookings Institution provides a notable research opportunity for early- and mid-career scholars interested in policy analysis.
The two-year fellowship has supported scholars working across economics, governance, foreign policy, global development and metropolitan policy, with research covering subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and inequality to housing, international security and environmental economics.
For aspiring policy experts, researchers and academics, the program illustrates how advanced scholarship can be connected to major policy questions affecting communities and countries around the world.
Important: The source available for this article describes the Rubenstein Fellowship program and its 2021 class; it does not establish that applications are currently open in 2026. Readers should verify current openings and deadlines directly with Brookings before applying.
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