USA Harvard University Environmental Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded)
The Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2026, hosted by the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE), is a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship designed to support exceptional scholars in advancing innovative research on critical environmental challenges. This highly competitive program welcomes applicants from all academic disciplines, fostering an interdisciplinary network of scholars committed to environmental sustainability and problem-solving.
The Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE), now part of the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, is a leading hub for interdisciplinary environmental research and education at Harvard. HUCE connects scholars, students, and faculty across all of Harvard’s schools—from science and engineering to law, policy, medicine, design, and the humanities—to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. It fosters collaboration through fellowships, research programs, public events, and cross-disciplinary initiatives, creating a vibrant intellectual community dedicated to advancing sustainability, climate solutions, and environmental understanding globally.
Degree Level
- Postdoctoral Fellowship (Research Fellowship)
Available Subjects
Applicants may pursue research across a wide range of fields, including but not limited to:
- Environmental Science and Engineering
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Public Health
- Economics, Business, and Policy Studies
- Law and Governance
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Medicine and Public Policy
- Design and Architecture
- Biodiversity and Ecology
Interdisciplinary projects are highly encouraged, but single-discipline proposals are also welcomed.
Benefits
Successful fellows will receive:
- Annual salary of $90,000.
- Health insurance eligibility.
- Relocation allowance of up to $2,500.
- Annual research and travel allowance of $2,500.
- Participation in biweekly dinners and seminars with Harvard faculty and visiting experts.
- Access to Harvard’s world-class academic and research resources.
Eligible Nationalities
Open to all nationalities worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2026, candidates must:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree awarded between May 2022 and August 2026.
- Submit a research proposal that is independent, extending beyond their doctoral dissertation or current work.
- Secure a Harvard faculty host from any school or department who will mentor the fellow and provide office space.
- Demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual potential, and a clear focus on environmental challenges.
- Candidates with degrees from Harvard are eligible only if their proposed project takes them in new directions distinct from their PhD research.
- Faculty members Paul Moorcroft, Zhiming Kuang, Caroline Buckee, and Satchit Balsari are not eligible to host fellows in 2026.
Application Procedure
- Identify a Host – Reach out to a Harvard faculty member to serve as your mentor and project host.
- Prepare Application Materials – Submit a strong proposal clearly outlining your research goals, their environmental significance, and how they extend beyond your PhD work.
- Host’s Letter of Support – Ensure your chosen faculty host provides a detailed recommendation letter (maximum two pages) describing their commitment.
- Submit Application – Complete the official online application by December 1, 2025.
Note: The Department of the History of Science requires sponsor requests by November 1, 2025.
- Interview – Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online video interview with the selection committee.
For queries, contact: environmental_fellows@harvard.edu
Final Thoughts
The Harvard University Environmental Fellows Program 2026 is an extraordinary opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to advance groundbreaking research in environmental studies while benefiting from Harvard’s academic excellence and global network. With generous funding, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, this fellowship empowers scholars to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
