Fellowship Fully funded

Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028

Closes in 1 day 10 September 2026

Journalism
Research
Science

Programme details

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study supports approximately 50 scholars, scientists, writers, journalists, public intellectuals, and artists each year. Fellows pursue ambitious individual or two-person collaborative projects while participating in an interdisciplinary community that spans the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, journalism and nonfiction, science, engineering, and mathematics. The programme welcomes applicants from around the world and from different career stages, provided they meet the discipline-specific achievement and experience requirements.

The 2027–2028 fellowship runs from September 2027 through May 2028 and requires fellows to reside in the Cambridge/Boston area. Fellows receive time and resources to focus on their projects, office or studio space at Radcliffe, a full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow, access to Harvard libraries and athletic facilities, and opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary exchange. Fellows present work in progress, take part in group lunches and Institute events, and may audit Harvard courses with the instructor’s permission. The Institute particularly welcomes innovative work addressing pressing social, scientific, and policy issues, as well as proposals related to women, gender and society, the Schlesinger Library collections, academic freedom, connecting across difference, and STEM areas affected by federal research funding cuts.

Applicants from around the world are encouraged to apply. Harvard University typically sponsors J-1 scholar visas for international Harvard Radcliffe Fellows.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong body of independent work and accomplishment. The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship.
Applicants currently enrolled in a doctoral or master's degree programme at the time of application are generally ineligible, unless the dissertation has been accepted, the degree is forthcoming, and the relevant field-specific eligibility requirements have been met.
Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows from 1999 to the present are ineligible to apply.
Independent scholars, artists, and writers are eligible; applicants do not need to be affiliated with an academic institution.
Humanities and social sciences applicants must have received a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in the area of the proposed project at least four years before appointment as a fellow. For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the degree must have been received by December 2023.
Humanities and social sciences applicants must have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
Science, engineering, and mathematics applicants must have received a doctorate in the area of the proposed project at least four years before appointment as a fellow. For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the doctorate must have been received by December 2023.
Science, engineering, and mathematics applicants must have published at least five articles in refereed journals. Harvard Radcliffe notes that most fellows in these fields have published dozens of articles.
Journalism applicants must have worked professionally as a journalist for at least five years.
Nonfiction applicants must have one or more published books, a contract for publication of a book-length manuscript, or at least three published shorter works that are longer than newspaper articles.
Film and video applicants must have a body of independent work demonstrating significant achievement, typically including work exhibited in galleries or museums, shown at film or video festivals, or broadcast on television.
Visual arts applicants must have at least five years of work as a professional artist, including participation in several curated group exhibitions and at least two professional solo exhibitions.
Fiction applicants must have one or more published books, a contract for publication of a book-length manuscript, or at least three published shorter works that are longer than newspaper articles.
Poetry applicants must have had at least 20 poems or a book of poetry published within the last five years and must be in the process of completing a manuscript.
Playwriting applicants must demonstrate a significant body of independent work, typically including plays that have been produced or are under option.
Music composition applicants should demonstrate strong professional artistic achievement and a record of recent performances. A PhD or DMA is desirable but not required.
Group applications are permitted for no more than two people working collaboratively on the same project. Each applicant must independently meet the eligibility requirements for their field and submit a separate application.
Selected fellows must reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from September 2027 through May 2028 and participate actively in the fellowship community.
Fellows are expected to limit travel primarily to scheduled programme breaks. Permission from the Executive Director is required for absences of more than two weeks during term.
All application materials must be submitted in English.
Estimated age fit: approximately 25–75 based on the programme's required career experience, publication and achievement thresholds, and the career stages represented among past and current fellows. Harvard Radcliffe publishes no official minimum or maximum age, so this is an editorial estimate rather than a formal eligibility restriction.

USD 78,000 fellowship stipend for the 2027–2028 fellowship year.
Additional USD 5,000 allowance for project expenses.
Eligible fellows may receive additional relocation and moving support for themselves and eligible accompanying family members relocating to the Cambridge/Boston area.
Eligible fellows may receive a housing allowance.
Eligible fellows with dependent children may receive childcare funding.
Healthcare support is available as needed; eligible fellows may receive support toward appropriate health coverage.
Office or studio space in Byerly Hall in Radcliffe Yard.
Full-time Harvard University appointment as a visiting fellow.
Access to the Harvard University library system.
Access to Harvard University athletic facilities.
Opportunity to audit courses in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and professional schools at the instructor's discretion.
Professional development and engagement opportunities throughout the fellowship year.
Opportunity to work with Harvard undergraduate Research Partners; Harvard Radcliffe covers their hourly wages when fellows choose to hire them.
Participation in an interdisciplinary cohort and access to the wider Harvard Radcliffe alumni network.
Some programme talks, engagement activities, library borrowing options, course auditing opportunities, recreation access, and childcare support may also be available to eligible accompanying spouses, partners, and children.

Important dates

10 Sep 2026
Deadline: Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism
1 Oct 2026
Deadline: Science, engineering and mathematics

Required documents

Curriculum vitae

Maximum six pages. The CV should emphasize the applicant's most significant achievements, publications, exhibitions, and related accomplishments.
Project proposal

Maximum 1,400 words including a 150-word abstract. The proposal should describe the project and its significance, place it in the context of the applicant's field, explain its contribution, address theory and methodology where relevant, cite other work where appropriate, and state the status of any work or data already completed. It should use 12-point font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins.
Bibliography Optional

Optional. Most humanities and social sciences applicants who include a bibliography submit approximately 1–3 pages.
Writing or work sample

Requirements vary by discipline. Humanities and social sciences: relevant writing or a published article/book chapter, maximum 40 pages. Science, engineering and mathematics: three published articles. Nonfiction: approximately 30 pages of a recent book chapter, short story, manuscript or article. Journalism: three substantive published articles totaling approximately 30 pages, with up to 15 minutes of optional audio/video material. Creative arts applicants must follow the discipline-specific sample requirements for fiction, film/video, music composition, playwriting, poetry or visual arts.
Three letters of recommendation

Exactly three recommendation letters are required. Recommenders are prompted by email to upload their letters directly. Letters should address the merits of the proposed project, the applicant's record of achievement, and collegiality. Recommendation letters are due by the same deadline as the relevant programme area.

Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028

Programme details

Eligibility requirements

Benefits

Important dates

Required documents

Programme details

Important dates

Required documents

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