Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2027

The Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2027–2028 is now accepting applications from outstanding doctoral candidates and recent PhD recipients in the social sciences. Hosted by the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies at Harvard University, the program provides a two-year, fully funded postdoctoral fellowship for researchers whose work combines social science excellence with deep knowledge of countries or regions outside the United States or Canada.

The fellowship is based in residence at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and supports researchers at the beginning of their academic careers.

Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2027–2028

The Academy Scholars Program is designed to support innovative researchers whose work addresses comparative, transnational, or domestic issues through strong regional and country expertise.

Selected Academy Scholars become part of an interdisciplinary community of researchers and receive mentorship from Harvard Academy Senior Scholars. Fellows participate in seminars, academic discussions and other activities intended to strengthen their research and professional development.

What the Fellowship Offers

Successful applicants receive a substantial financial and research support package, including:

Annual stipend of $80,000
Annual research support of $6,000
Two-year, in-residence postdoctoral appointment
Access to Harvard’s academic and research environment
Mentorship from Harvard Academy Senior Scholars
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration
Participation in seminars, dinners and academic events
Opportunities to develop research and professional skills

Each year, approximately five to six Academy Scholars are selected.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to advanced doctoral candidates in the social sciences and recent PhD recipients.

Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

Hold a PhD or equivalent degree awarded within two years of August 1, 2027; or
Be an advanced doctoral candidate in the social sciences.

Doctoral candidates approaching completion must be able to provide official degree-conferral documentation from their university registrar by June 30, 2027.

Applicants who have already held or completed another postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible.

Research Areas

The program is intended for researchers in the social sciences whose work demonstrates strong knowledge or expertise relating to countries or regions outside the United States or Canada.

The Academy supports scholarship that can cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and examine issues through comparative, transnational, regional or country-specific perspectives.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials online:

Curriculum vitae, including a publication list
Research proposal of no more than 2,000 words
One scholarly writing sample in English, up to 50 pages
PhD program transcript
Three confidential letters of recommendation

The research proposal should explain the applicant’s intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work.

Writing samples can include a PhD dissertation chapter or peer-reviewed journal article. Co-authored work is permitted provided the applicant’s contribution is clearly identified and the co-author is not an academic adviser.

All application materials are submitted electronically as PDF documents.

Important Deadlines

The main application deadline is:

September 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT

Letters of recommendation must arrive by:

September 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT

Late applications are not accepted.

The selection process begins after the deadline, with awards expected to be announced in December 2026.

Fellowship Location

The fellowship is a two-year, in-residence appointment at:

The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

The two fellowship years must be completed within a three-year window. The first year cannot be deferred and must begin no later than the fall immediately following the fellowship offer.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their research proposal, CV, writing sample and academic transcript before completing the online application. Recommendation letters are submitted directly and confidentially by the recommenders.

Harvard Academy Scholars Program – Official Application Page

Applicants with questions about the application can contact the Harvard Academy at applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu.

Key Details

Category	Details
Program	Harvard Academy Scholars Program
Academic year	2027–2028
Institution	Harvard University
Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Level	Postdoctoral
Eligible applicants	Advanced doctoral candidates and recent PhD recipients
Field	Social sciences
Duration	2 years
Annual stipend	$80,000
Research support	$6,000 annually
Awards	Approximately 5–6 per year
Application deadline	September 18, 2026
Recommendation deadline	September 28, 2026
Expected announcement	December 2026

Important: This is a highly competitive postdoctoral research fellowship, not a general master’s or undergraduate scholarship. Applicants should carefully confirm that their academic status and research profile meet the Academy’s requirements before applying.

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