Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2026 , USA (Fully Funded)
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program is one of the most prestigious postdoctoral fellowship opportunities offered by Harvard University, USA, through the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. Designed for outstanding early-career researchers in the social sciences, this fully funded fellowship supports innovative research with a strong regional focus outside the United States and Canada.
Degree Level
- The Harvard Academy Scholars Program is a postdoctoral fellowship.
- It is open to:
- Recent PhD or equivalent degree holders
- Advanced doctoral candidates nearing dissertation completion
Note: This is not a degree-granting program, but a two-year, in-residence research fellowship.
Available Subjects
Eligible social science disciplines include (with regional focus outside the US and Canada):
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Geography
- Government
- History & History of Science
- International Relations
- Law
- Political Science & Political Economy
- Psychology
- Public Policy & Social Policy
- Sociology
- Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Regional and area studies fields such as South Asia Studies, Middle East Studies, Africa Studies, East Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and European Studies are also accepted when grounded in a social science discipline.
Benefits
To be eligible for the Harvard Academy Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent degree awarded on or after August 1, (previous year),
or
Be an advanced PhD candidate able to submit degree conferral documents by June 30 (next year)
- Be from a social science discipline
- Demonstrate strong regional expertise outside the United States or Canada
- Must not have held or completed another postdoctoral fellowship
- Must be available to begin the fellowship on August 1 of next year
- Willing to reside in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the academic year
Eligible Nationalities
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program is open to applicants of all nationalities.
Both US and non-US citizens are eligible to apply, and international scholars are strongly encouraged.
Eligibility Criteria
Selected scholars receive comprehensive academic and financial support, including:
- Annual stipend of USD 80,000
- Research allowance of USD 5,000 per year
- Two-year fully funded postdoctoral fellowship
- Mentorship from senior Harvard faculty
- Office space and full access to Harvard University resources
- Participation in interdisciplinary seminars, workshops, and academic events
- Opportunity to build global academic and policy networks
To be eligible for the Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2026–2027, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent degree awarded on or after August 1, 2024 OR Be an advanced PhD candidate able to submit degree conferral documents by June 30, 2026
- Be from a social science discipline
- Demonstrate strong regional expertise outside the United States or Canada
- Must not have held or completed another postdoctoral fellowship
- Must be available to begin the fellowship on August 1, 2026
- Willing to reside in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the academic year
Application Procedure
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program application deadline is usually around September, keep checking official website for latest deadlines and updates. Late applications are not accepted.
Required Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with publication list
- Research Proposal (maximum 2,000 words)
- One scholarly writing sample (up to 50 pages, in English)
- PhD transcript (or equivalent official academic records)
- Three confidential letters of recommendation
- All documents must be submitted online in PDF format via the Harvard Academy website.
- Letters of recommendation were required to arrive no later than September 29
Note: Deadlines may vary visit official website for more information.
Selection and Notification
- Applications are reviewed immediately after the deadline
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in December
- Final award announcements are made in December
- Five to six scholars are selected each year, making this fellowship extremely competitive
