Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2026-2027

Omran Aburayya
Aug 23
3 min read

Are you a recent PhD graduate or an advanced doctoral candidate in the social sciences with a strong regional focus outside the United States or Canada? The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (within the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University) invites you to apply for its prestigious Academy Scholars Program. This two-year, in-residence fellowship nurtures early-career researchers who demonstrate excellence in their disciplines and a deep understanding of global issues.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: Cambridge, MA, USA
Host Institution: Harvard University — Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (Weatherhead Center for International Affairs)
Study Level: Postdoctoral fellowship, two-year in-residence appointment
Target Group: Recent PhD recipients (within two years of August 1, 2026) or advanced doctoral candidates in social sciences who have not held any prior postdoctoral fellowship
Fields of Focus: Social science disciplines (e.g., Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, etc.) with regional specialization outside the U.S. & Canada
Value & Coverage:
- Annual stipend: US $80,000
- Annual research support: US $5,000
Duration: Two years, to be completed within a three-year window; Year 1 must start in the fall immediately after offer, no deferrals allowed; one-time leave of up to 12 months may be granted between Years 1 and 2 for tenure-track roles only
Application Deadline: September 19, 2025 (materials except recommendation letters); recommendations due by September 29, 2025
Start Date: August 1, 2026
Eligible To: Scholars worldwide with relevant PhD credentials or candidacy; no prior postdoc experience

📚 Scholarship Overview

This fellowship offers a dynamic postdoctoral platform combining intellectual rigor with community engagement:

Mentoring & Community: Fellows are supported by Harvard Academy Senior Scholars through dinners, seminars, and informal gatherings that encourage interdisciplinary exchange and innovation
Research Development: With research support and a generous stipend, fellows undertook substantial projects, hone academic writing (e.g., preparing dissertation chapters for publication), and plan future research trajectories
Residency Expectations: Fellows are expected to reside in Cambridge from late August through end April; fieldwork is permitted during breaks only

🎁 Program Benefits

Competitive Funding: $80,000 per year plus $5,000 research grant ensures financial focus on research and development.
Scholarly Environment: Integration into Harvard’s academic community fosters mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and global perspectives.
Career Launchpad: This is a highly prestigious appointment, with support to publish and transition into academic or international institution roles.
Flexibility for Career Moves: One-time mid-fellowship leave allows tenure-track transitions, if necessary (with conditions)

✅ Eligibility Criteria

PhD Requirement: Applicants must have received their PhD on or after August 1, 2024, or be in the final stage of dissertation and able to provide degree confirmation by June 30, 2026
Field Restrictions: Must be in the social sciences with a regional focus—disciplines like Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Public Policy, History, Political Science, etc. are encouraged; fields like Philosophy, Literature, Business, Global Health and any focused on U.S./Canada are not accepted
No Prior Postdoc: Applicants who have already held a postdoctoral fellowship are ineligible

📝 Application Procedure

Apply via the online portal on Harvard Academy’s website. All materials must be submitted by September 19, 2025, except recommendation letters, which are accepted until September 29, 2025 .

Required components:

Curriculum Vitae (with publications list)
Research proposal (max 2,000 words, excluding references & bibliographies)
Writing sample (up to 50 pages; PhD dissertation chapter or peer-reviewed article in English)
PhD transcript copy
Three letters of recommendation (upload links sent after application submission)