The IP Policy Institute at the University of Akron School of Law invites applications for the 2027–2028 Thomas Edison Innovation Law and Policy Fellowship. This non-resident research fellowship supports scholarship on intellectual property, creativity and innovation through research roundtables, academic feedback and a conditional US$3,000 honorarium.
Applications are open to US citizens and permanent residents, including eligible applicants living abroad. The deadline is 30 November 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time.
About the IP Policy Institute
The IP Policy Institute at the University of Akron School of Law supports research and policy engagement concerning intellectual property, innovation and creativity. Its activities include academic scholarship, research programmes and discussions connecting researchers with practitioners and policymakers.
About the Fellowship
The fellowship helps participants develop a research proposal into a manuscript suitable for publication in a law review or another academic journal.
Fellows receive feedback from Distinguished Commentators and fellow researchers through three research roundtables. The programme also supports the development of a longer-term academic research agenda. First-time applicants receive priority over applicants who have previously completed the fellowship.
Eligibility
Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Eligible applicants may reside in the United States or abroad.
The programme is primarily intended for:
- Tenure-track professors in law or economics.
- Lawyers and Ph.D. graduates interested in academic positions involving legal or economic research on intellectual property, creativity and innovation.
- Recently tenured academics.
- Practitioners interested in developing scholarship on intellectual property, creativity or innovation policy.
Also Check: Public Law Fellowship 2027 at Renne Public Law Group, California [Stipend: $2,000]: Apply by December 1
Research Commitments
Selected fellows must:
- Attend all three research meetings in their entirety.
- Present their proposed thesis and research at the first meeting.
- Prepare and present a first draft at the second meeting.
- Substantially revise the paper following feedback and present a second draft at the final meeting.
- Complete the final manuscript, post it on SSRN and submit it to an appropriate academic journal.
- Acknowledge the institute’s support in the resulting paper.
Attendance at all three meetings is a condition of the fellowship.
Duration
The fellowship runs over approximately one year during 2027–2028, with meetings from March 2027 to February 2028. Final revisions, SSRN posting and journal submission must be completed within the programme’s prescribed timeline, ordinarily by the end of 2028.
Location
The fellowship is based in the United States. The second research roundtable will take place in Washington, DC.
Work Mode
This is a non-resident fellowship involving independent research, two in-person roundtables and one virtual roundtable.
Honorarium
Fellows receive a total honorarium of US$3,000 upon fulfilling the fellowship requirements.
Payment is linked to delivery of the final paper, its posting on SSRN and submission to a law journal or another academic journal. Failure to meet the agreed requirements without an approved extension may reduce the award.
Travel and Accommodation Support
The institute provides relevant domestic US travel, accommodation for non-local participants and meals for in-person meetings, subject to its arrangements.
Travel must be booked through the university’s approved travel agent. International travel is not covered; eligible applicants living abroad must arrange funding for their journey to the United States.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 30 November 2026, 5 PM Eastern Time |
| Selection notification | 9 December 2026 |
| First in-person roundtable | 18–19 March 2027 |
| First draft submission | 29 August 2027 |
| Washington, DC roundtable | Either 16–17 or 23–24 September 2027; dates to be finalised |
| Second draft submission | 23 January 2028 |
| Final virtual roundtable | 17–18 February 2028 |
Applicants should review the official call for proposals and fellowship conditions before applying.
How to Apply?
Email the following documents as one combined PDF to IPPI@uakron.edu:
- Research proposal of no more than five pages, explaining the issue to be addressed, proposed methodology and feasibility of completion by February 2028.
- CV or résumé, including your current mailing address, telephone number, email address and citizenship status.
Name the PDF using this format:
Last Name, First Name – Edison Application – date of submission
Submit the application by 30 November 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time. Applications and proposals will be treated confidentially.
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