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Undergraduate Programs
Explore the programs offered by this organization.
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The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) is Stanford’s home for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research and education in global policy, international security, and governance. FSI is dedicated to providing outstanding opportunities for undergraduate research, bridging academic theory with real-world policy relevance.
As a university-wide institute, FSI serves as a collaborative meeting ground for students and scholars from all academic backgrounds. The institute hosts two prestigious honors programs that empower undergraduates from any major to conduct deep, independent research under the mentorship of world-class faculty and international policy experts.
The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies supports two rigorous, interschool honors pathways designed to cultivate advanced research skills, analytical depth, and leadership in international affairs:
The Fisher Family Honors Program in Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL): Administered by the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, this program offers seniors from any major the opportunity to write an independent honors thesis. The program begins in the spring of the junior year with a three-unit honors research seminar, continues with a required honors college in Washington, D.C. in September, and culminates in a formal thesis defense in mid-May. Students must meet eligibility requirements, including a 3.5 GPA, and are discouraged from studying abroad during the program. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate in Honors in Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.
\tContact: kdchandl@stanford.edu
Interschool Honors Program in International Security Studies (CISAC): Coordinated by the Center for International Security and Cooperation, this university-wide program awards Honors in International Security Studies. Selected students complete a security-related internship prior to their senior year, attend a dedicated honors college in Washington, D.C. in September, participate in a year-long core seminar, and produce a policy-relevant honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor.
Contact: cisachonors@stanford.edu
Through its nine research centers and various undergraduate cohorts, FSI offers students the opportunity to participate in critical analysis and scholarly dialogue in key areas of global importance:
Democracy and Governance: Examining the political, social, and economic systems that support democratic institutions, social development, human rights, and the rule of law.
International Security and Cooperation: Analyzing contemporary threats, defense policies, and cooperative strategies to address international security challenges.
The Washington, D.C. Seminar Experience: Bridging academic coursework with practical governance through immersive September honors colleges in the United States’s capital, where students interface directly with policy organizations and leaders.