The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its 2027–2028 fellowship year, offering accomplished scientists, scholars, writers, journalists, public intellectuals and artists the opportunity to spend a full academic year pursuing ambitious independent projects at Harvard University.

Harvard Radcliffe supports approximately:

50 fellows each year

from across the United States and around the world.

The financial package includes:

$78,000 stipend

plus:

$5,000 for project expenses.

Selected fellows may also qualify for additional support for:

Relocation
Housing
Childcare
Healthcare

depending on individual circumstances.

The fellowship also provides office or studio space at Harvard Radcliffe Institute and a full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow, with access to the Harvard Library system and University athletic facilities.

Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 Overview

Detail	Information
Fellowship	Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship
University	Harvard University
Country	United States
Fellowship Year	2027–2028
Approximate Number of Fellows	50
Stipend	$78,000
Project Expense Allowance	$5,000
Total Core Financial Package	$83,000
Additional Support	Possible relocation, housing, childcare and healthcare assistance
Duration	Full academic year
Residence Required	Yes
Location	Cambridge/Boston, Massachusetts
Humanities Deadline	September 10, 2026, 5 PM ET
Social Sciences Deadline	September 10, 2026, 5 PM ET
Creative Arts Deadline	September 10, 2026, 5 PM ET
Nonfiction & Journalism Deadline	September 10, 2026, 5 PM ET
Science Deadline	October 1, 2026, 5 PM ET
Engineering Deadline	October 1, 2026, 5 PM ET
Mathematics Deadline	October 1, 2026, 5 PM ET
Results	By end of March 2027
Current Status	Open, depending on discipline

What Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program gives accomplished individuals time, financial support and access to Harvard’s resources so they can pursue major independent projects.

The fellowship welcomes applications from:

Scientists
Scholars
Writers
Journalists
Public intellectuals
Artists

Projects can address social, scientific, cultural or policy issues and may be academic, creative or interdisciplinary.

How Many Harvard Radcliffe Fellowships Are Available?

Harvard Radcliffe says its Fellowship Program supports:

50 scholars, artists and public intellectuals.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

It is therefore reasonable to describe this as an opportunity for:

around 50 fellows

rather than promising exactly 50 positions in every cycle.

How Much Does the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Pay?

Fellows receive:

$78,000

as their fellowship stipend.

They also receive:

an additional $5,000

for project expenses.

That brings the confirmed core financial package to:

$83,000

before any additional needs-based support.

Is the $5,000 Included in the $78,000?

No.

The $5,000 project-expense allocation is provided:

in addition to the $78,000 stipend.

Opportunities Feed Insight

This distinction makes the funding package more valuable than a headline mentioning only the stipend.

The confirmed package is:

$78,000 stipend + $5,000 project allowance.

Does Harvard Radcliffe Provide Housing Support?

Potentially.

Harvard Radcliffe says fellows may be eligible for:

housing funds

to help with the transition to the fellowship.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

Housing support is not presented as an automatic universal payment for every fellow.

It should therefore be described as:

possible additional support

rather than guaranteed free accommodation.

Is Relocation Funding Available?

Yes, potentially.

Fellows may qualify for:

relocation support.

Is Childcare Support Available?

Yes, potentially.

Harvard Radcliffe says fellows may also be eligible for:

childcare funds.

Is Healthcare Support Available?

Yes.

Healthcare support is made available as needed.

Is This a Fully Funded Fellowship?

It is reasonable to describe Harvard Radcliffe as a highly funded residential fellowship, but “fully funded” should be used carefully.

The programme confirms:

$78,000 stipend
$5,000 project allowance
Possible relocation support
Possible housing support
Possible childcare support
Healthcare support where needed
Harvard office or studio space
Harvard visiting-fellow appointment

However, the official page does not state that every possible personal expense is universally covered.

Opportunities Feed Advice

A precise headline is stronger:

“$78,000 stipend plus $5,000 project allowance”

rather than simply:

“fully funded.”

Who Can Apply?

The programme accepts applicants across several major areas:

Humanities and Social Sciences

Researchers and scholars working across eligible disciplines.

Creative Arts

Including fields such as:

Fiction
Poetry
Playwriting
Visual arts
Film and video
Music composition

Nonfiction and Journalism

Established writers and professional journalists.

Science, Engineering and Mathematics

Researchers with strong publication records.

Applicants must meet the specific requirements of their selected discipline.

Can International Applicants Apply?

Yes.

Harvard Radcliffe says fellows come from:

across the United States and around the world.

This makes the programme an international fellowship rather than one limited to U.S. citizens.

Can African Applicants Apply?

Yes, potentially.

Applicants from African countries may compete provided they satisfy the discipline-specific professional, academic or creative eligibility requirements.

Can Applicants From Asia Apply?

Yes.

Can Applicants From Europe Apply?

Yes.

Can Applicants From Latin America Apply?

Yes.

Is U.S. Citizenship Required?

The public fellowship information reviewed does not restrict applications to U.S. citizens.

Harvard Radcliffe explicitly describes its community as including fellows from around the world.

Is This a Postdoctoral Fellowship?

No.

Harvard Radcliffe explicitly states:

the fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not market the opportunity as:

“Harvard Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027.”

That would misrepresent the programme.

Can Current Students Apply?

No.

Applicants who are:

currently enrolled in a degree programme

are ineligible.

This includes candidates who are still formally pursuing a degree during the relevant application period.

Do Academics Need Tenure?

No.

Harvard Radcliffe says academics:

do not need tenure

to apply.

Can Early-Career Researchers Apply?

Potentially, depending on the discipline.

However, academic applicants must satisfy specific publication and degree-timing requirements.

For many academic fields, the fellowship targets people who are already well established enough to demonstrate a substantial record of achievement.

Humanities and Social Sciences Eligibility

Applicants in the humanities and social sciences must have received their:

doctorate or equivalent terminal degree

at least four years before appointment.

For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the relevant degree date is:

December 2023 or earlier.

Appropriate terminal degrees may include:

PhD
MD
JD
DPhil
DEd

Applicants must also have published either:

a monograph

or:

at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Eligibility

Applicants in science, engineering and mathematics must have:

a doctorate in the field of the proposed project

received at least four years before appointment.

For the 2027–2028 fellowship:

December 2023 or earlier

is the relevant cutoff stated by Harvard Radcliffe.

Applicants must also have published at least:

five articles in refereed journals.

Harvard Radcliffe notes that many successful fellows in science, engineering and mathematics have published:

dozens of articles.

Opportunities Feed Assessment

Meeting five publications should be treated as a minimum eligibility threshold, not necessarily as a competitive benchmark.

A strong applicant would likely need:

an ambitious project + strong research record + evidence of intellectual independence + significant potential for future contribution.

Journalism Eligibility

Journalism applicants must have worked professionally as journalists for at least:

five years.

Nonfiction Eligibility

Nonfiction applicants need at least one of the following:

One or more published books
A contract for publication of a book-length manuscript
At least three published shorter works longer than newspaper articles

Fiction Eligibility

Fiction applicants must have:

One or more published books, or
A contract for a book-length manuscript, or
At least three shorter published works longer than newspaper articles

Poetry Eligibility

Poetry applicants must have published:

at least 20 poems

or:

a book of poetry

within the previous five years.

They must also be working toward completion of a manuscript.

Visual Arts Eligibility

Visual artists must demonstrate a significant professional record.

Harvard Radcliffe expects:

at least five years of professional artistic work

including several curated group exhibitions and at least:

two professional solo exhibitions.

Film and Video Eligibility

Film and video applicants should demonstrate:

a significant body of independent work.

This work will typically have appeared in:

Galleries
Museums
Film festivals
Video festivals
Television broadcasts

Playwriting Eligibility

Playwrights must demonstrate:

a significant body of independent work

typically including plays that have been professionally produced or placed under option.

Music Composition Eligibility

A PhD or DMA is:

desirable but not required

for applicants in music composition.

Harvard Radcliffe places greater importance on an established professional record and evidence of:

recent performances.

What Kind of Projects Does Harvard Radcliffe Want?

Harvard Radcliffe welcomes ambitious projects that address:

Major social issues
Scientific challenges
Policy questions
Creative problems
Interdisciplinary research

It particularly encourages work that seeks to reach audiences:

beyond academia.

Women, Gender and Society

Reflecting Radcliffe’s institutional history, proposals concerning:

women, gender and society

are welcomed.

However, applicants are not required to work in these areas.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

This is an area of interest, not a universal eligibility requirement.

Academic Freedom and Connecting Across Difference

Harvard Radcliffe’s multiyear focus area for:

2024–2029

is:

academic freedom and connecting across difference.

Projects may address issues including:

Intellectual virtues
Free and open inquiry
Diversity of thought
Political polarization
Inequality
Religious pluralism
Religion and public life
Higher education policy

Projects that challenge disciplinary orthodoxies or introduce transformative perspectives are also welcomed.

Special Interest in STEM Projects

Harvard Radcliffe also specifically welcomes proposals in:

science, technology, engineering and mathematics

that have been directly affected by federal research funding cuts.

How Long Is the Fellowship?

The fellowship lasts for:

a full academic year.

Fellows are expected to reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from:

September through May.

Is the Fellowship Remote?

No.

Selected fellows must relocate to:

Cambridge/Boston, Massachusetts

and participate actively in the Radcliffe community.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not advertise this as:

“Harvard Remote Fellowship 2027.”

Residence in the Cambridge/Boston area is required.

What Do Fellows Do During the Year?

Fellows concentrate primarily on their individual projects.

They also participate in activities such as:

Weekly fellows’ talks
Professional development workshops
Interdisciplinary discussions
Community events
Cross-disciplinary engagement

What Harvard Resources Do Fellows Receive?

Selected fellows receive:

office or studio space in Byerly Hall

at Harvard Radcliffe Institute.

They also receive:

full-time Harvard appointments as visiting fellows.

This provides access to:

Harvard libraries
University athletic facilities
Professional development
Intellectual community
Engagement opportunities

What Documents Are Required?

Applications include:

Online application form
Curriculum vitae
1,400-word project proposal
Bibliography where appropriate
Writing or work sample
Contact details for three references

The references are then contacted by email to submit:

letters of recommendation.

How Long Is the Project Proposal?

The project proposal has a limit of:

1,400 words.

Opportunities Feed Advice

This proposal is likely one of the most important parts of the application.

It should clearly communicate:

problem → project → originality → method or creative approach → why it matters → what can realistically be completed during the fellowship.

How Many References Are Required?

Applicants must provide contact information for:

three references.

These referees will be prompted electronically to upload recommendation letters.

Work Sample for Humanities and Social Sciences

Applicants should submit writing relevant to the proposed project where available.

If appropriate project-related work has not yet been completed, a:

published article or book chapter

can be submitted.

The maximum length is:

40 pages.

Work Sample for Science, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM applicants should submit:

three published articles.

Work Sample for Journalism

Journalism applicants should submit:

three substantial published articles

totalling approximately:

30 pages.

They may also submit up to:

15 minutes

of relevant audio or video work through supported platforms.

Work Sample for Nonfiction

Nonfiction applicants should generally submit around:

30 pages

from a recent:

Book chapter
Short story
Manuscript
Article

Work Samples for Creative Arts

Requirements vary substantially.

Examples include:

Fiction — approximately 30 pages
Poetry — up to 10 poems
Playwriting — one play or up to 30 pages
Visual arts — 12 images and potentially moving-image excerpts
Film/video — up to 15 minutes
Music composition — one to three recent compositions with scores where applicable

How Are Applications Evaluated?

Applications go through a:

two-tier review process.

First:

experts in the applicant’s field

review the submission.

Then:

a multidisciplinary committee

selects the final fellowship class.

What Does the Selection Committee Look For?

Applications are evaluated based on:

Quality of the proposed project
Significance of the project
Intellectual or creative capacity
Record of achievement
Extraordinary promise
Collegiality
Openness to interdisciplinary dialogue

How Competitive Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?

Very competitive.

Harvard Radcliffe typically supports around:

50 fellows each year.

For comparison, the 2025–2026 competition received 1,677 applications for roughly 50 fellowship slots.

Opportunities Feed Assessment

Using that previous competition only as context, the programme historically selects a small fraction of applicants.

Applicants should therefore treat eligibility as the starting point, not a guarantee of competitiveness.

When Is the Humanities and Social Sciences Deadline?

The deadline is:

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time.

When Is the Creative Arts Deadline?

The deadline is also:

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

When Is the Nonfiction and Journalism Deadline?

The deadline is:

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

When Is the Science, Engineering and Mathematics Deadline?

The deadline is:

October 1, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Still Open?

Yes, but the answer depends on the application area.

As of September 10, 2026:

Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism reach their deadline today at 5 PM ET.

Applications for:

science, engineering and mathematics

remain open until:

October 1, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Because the first deadline is today, this article will become partially outdated after 5 PM ET.

After that point, the headline and introduction should be updated to emphasize:

science, engineering and mathematics applications remain open until October 1.

When Will Applicants Receive Results?

Harvard Radcliffe says all applicants will be notified by:

the end of March 2027.

Can Former Radcliffe Fellows Apply Again?

No.

Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows from:

1999 to the present

are ineligible.

Application Strategy

A strong application should communicate why the proposed project:

Matters now
Is intellectually or creatively ambitious
Is feasible within one academic year
Benefits from Harvard’s resources
Has significance beyond the applicant’s narrow discipline
Demonstrates originality
Can contribute to interdisciplinary conversation

Show Why Harvard Radcliffe Matters

Applicants should avoid submitting a proposal that could be completed equally well anywhere.

A stronger application explains why access to:

Harvard libraries
Scholars
Archives
Research communities
Interdisciplinary fellows
Cambridge intellectual networks

would materially strengthen the project.

Do Not Treat This Like a Regular Job Application

A fellowship proposal is not primarily about:

why you need funding.

It is about:

why your project is exceptional and why you are capable of delivering it.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

Calling it 50 guaranteed awards if the final cohort size could vary
Forgetting the $5,000 project allowance
Calling the fellowship remote
Applying while enrolled in a degree programme
Missing discipline-specific eligibility rules
Assuming every discipline requires a PhD
Treating the fellowship as a postdoc
Ignoring the relocation requirement
Submitting a generic 1,400-word proposal
Using referees who cannot assess your intellectual or creative capacity
Missing today’s September 10 deadline
Assuming the October 1 deadline applies to every field
Promising yourself housing funding as automatic
Claiming the entire programme is tax-free without checking individual circumstances

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?

It is a full academic-year fellowship for accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, journalists, public intellectuals and artists pursuing independent projects at Harvard University.

How many fellows are selected?

Harvard Radcliffe says its programme supports approximately:

50 fellows.

How much is the stipend?

$78,000.

Is there additional project funding?

Yes.

Fellows receive:

$5,000 for project expenses.

Is the total core financial support $83,000?

Yes.

The confirmed package consists of:

$78,000 stipend + $5,000 project allowance.

Is housing covered?

Some fellows may qualify for additional housing support.

It is not presented as a universal automatic award.

Is relocation support available?

Potentially, yes.

Is childcare support available?

Potentially, yes.

Can international applicants apply?

Yes.

Harvard Radcliffe fellows come from around the world.

Is it a postdoctoral fellowship?

No.

Can current PhD students apply?

Applicants currently enrolled in a degree programme are ineligible for the main Radcliffe Fellowship.

Is the fellowship remote?

No.

Fellows must live in the:

Cambridge/Boston area from September through May.

What is the humanities deadline?

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

What is the social sciences deadline?

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

What is the journalism deadline?

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

What is the creative arts deadline?

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

What is the STEM deadline?

October 1, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

When will decisions be announced?

Applicants will receive results by:

the end of March 2027.

Opportunities Feed Verdict

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027–2028 is one of the strongest interdisciplinary fellowship opportunities currently available for established researchers, scientists, writers, journalists and artists.

Harvard Radcliffe supports approximately:

50 fellows

who spend a full academic year pursuing significant independent projects within the Harvard University community.

The core financial package is substantial:

$78,000 stipend + $5,000 project expenses = $83,000 in confirmed support.

Additional assistance may also be available for:

housing + relocation + childcare + healthcare.

The programme is international and welcomes fellows from around the world, but applicants must satisfy discipline-specific eligibility requirements. It is also a residential fellowship, requiring successful applicants to live in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May.

The most urgent issue is the deadline.

For:

humanities + social sciences + creative arts + nonfiction + journalism

applications close:

September 10, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

For:

science + engineering + mathematics

applications remain open until:

October 1, 2026 at 5 PM ET.

For Opportunities Feed, this deserves immediate publication because the humanities and arts deadline is today, while STEM applicants still have several weeks to prepare.

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