Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program 2027 – Apply for a Visiting Fellowship at Harvard University
Harvard University’s Bloomberg Center for Cities is inviting applications for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program, an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals, civic leaders and government innovation specialists to engage with one of the world’s leading universities.
The programme brings expert practitioners in urban problem-solving and government innovation to Harvard University to develop projects that strengthen local government, improve city leadership and address complex urban challenges.
Selected Visiting Fellows participate in a semester-long exchange involving three planned visits to Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During the fellowship, participants engage with Harvard faculty, students, researchers and other practitioners while advancing independent projects that can generate practical benefits for cities and their residents.
Applications are open to professionals from different sectors, including former public servants, community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives, academics and private-sector specialists.
Application deadline: 11 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Programme Overview
| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program |
| Host Institution | Harvard University |
| Centre | Bloomberg Center for Cities |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
| Fellowship Format | Visiting Fellowship |
| Duration | Minimum one semester |
| Campus Visits | Three planned visits |
| Application Deadline | 11 December 2026 |
| Application Fee | Not specified |
| Travel Support | Travel and accommodation for required campus visits |
About the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program
The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program is designed to connect experienced practitioners with Harvard’s academic and professional community.
The programme focuses on urban problem-solving, public-sector innovation and strengthening government leadership. It provides a platform for practitioners to advance projects that address important challenges facing cities while contributing their professional knowledge to the work of the Bloomberg Center for Cities.
Unlike traditional academic fellowships, the programme is centred on practical projects developed by experienced professionals.
Visiting Fellows remain based in their home communities and participate in activities at Harvard throughout the semester. They receive opportunities to exchange ideas with faculty, students and other experts, obtain feedback on their projects and contribute to discussions about the future of urban governance.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes experienced professionals with a demonstrated record of working on urban challenges, public-sector innovation and government improvement.
Eligible professional backgrounds may include:
- Former public servants and government officials.
- Civic and community leaders.
- Entrepreneurs working on urban challenges.
- Leaders in nonprofit organisations and philanthropy.
- Private-sector professionals.
- Higher education professionals and researchers.
- Practitioners involved in government innovation and public-sector reform.
Applicants should demonstrate experience designing, leading, testing, implementing or evaluating solutions to complex urban problems.
Importantly, applicants must bring a specific project that they have the expertise and ability to advance during the fellowship.
Eligibility restrictions: Current and former mayors are not eligible. Applicants with previous government experience must have left their most recent government position at least 18 months before applying.
What Projects Can Fellows Develop?
Selected fellows will pursue independent projects addressing specific urban challenges.
Proposed projects should be practical, achievable within the fellowship period and capable of generating insights or resources that benefit local governments, city leaders and residents.
Potential project outputs include:
- Research publications, practical guides and resources for civic leaders.
- Convenings that bring together experts and practitioners.
- New approaches to government performance and public-sector innovation.
- Initiatives, programmes, partnerships and professional networks.
- Adaptation of existing materials developed by the Bloomberg Center for Cities.
- Practical tools that support improved local government decision-making.
Projects should demonstrate clear relevance to urban problem-solving and the potential to benefit other cities and practitioners.
The programme is not an accelerator, incubator, grant programme or project funding opportunity. Applicants must already have the professional expertise and capacity to advance their proposed projects.
Fellowship Structure and Activities
The programme requires a minimum commitment of one semester, including three planned visits to Harvard University.
The fellowship includes three main engagement periods:
1. Start of Semester
Fellows attend an orientation at Harvard, participate in initial project discussions, meet members of the Center community and plan opportunities for student engagement.
2. Mid-Semester
Participants engage with faculty and students, receive feedback on their projects and lead a student study group session.
3. End of Semester
Fellows share project progress, discuss lessons learned and may participate in public discussions or convenings.
The Bloomberg Center for Cities covers travel and accommodation associated with the required campus visits.
What Is Expected of Visiting Fellows?
Beyond advancing their independent projects, fellows are expected to contribute actively to the Harvard community.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading one cohort-based student study group session.
- Holding virtual office hours with students.
- Participating in Center events and activities.
- Sharing professional knowledge and practical experience.
- Contributing to mutually agreed-upon initiatives.
- Connecting relevant practitioners and professionals with the Center’s resources and networks.
The programme provides an opportunity for mutual learning, allowing fellows to contribute their expertise while engaging with Harvard’s academic and professional community.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants must submit the following documents:
- Project Proposal: Explaining the urban challenge, proposed activities, expected outcomes and the applicant’s ability to advance the project.
- Engagement Plan: Describing how the applicant intends to work with students, faculty and the Bloomberg Center for Cities community.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume: Highlighting relevant professional experience, leadership achievements and previous work.
- Two Referral Letters: Written by professional or academic colleagues.
Applications will be reviewed competitively by Harvard faculty and Bloomberg Center for Cities staff. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews before final selections are made.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on professional experience, demonstrated impact and the relevance of the proposed project.
The selection process will consider:
- The significance of the proposed project for urban problem-solving and city leadership.
- The applicant’s professional experience and record of achievement.
- The feasibility of completing the proposed work during the fellowship.
- The potential for the project to generate useful insights, resources and practical solutions.
- Alignment with the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ mission.
- The applicant’s ability to contribute to the fellowship community and engage with students.
How to Apply
Interested professionals should complete the online application form through the official Harvard University application platform.
Application deadline: 11 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their project proposal and engagement plan carefully before submitting their applications.
Final Thoughts
The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Fellows Program offers an excellent opportunity for experienced practitioners seeking to strengthen their contribution to urban governance and public-sector innovation.
For professionals working in local government reform, public administration, urban development, institutional accountability and civic leadership, the fellowship provides access to an international community of researchers, academics and practitioners.
The emphasis on practical projects makes this programme particularly valuable for professionals who want to translate their experience into approaches, tools and resources that can improve cities and benefit communities.
Applications close on 11 December 2026.
