The Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2025 offers exceptional scholars the opportunity to tackle critical environmental challenges through research and collaboration. Fellows work with Harvard faculty to advance interdisciplinary solutions. The HUCE Environmental Fellows Program helps recent PhD graduates use Harvard’s resources to address complex environmental challenges. Over two years, fellows collaborate with Harvard faculty from any school or department, building a strong research community that fosters connections across the University. Harvard Environmental Fellows Program is a prestigious Harvard Fellowship for recent PhD graduates eager to advance environmental research and make a meaningful impact.
The Harvard University Center for the Environment plans to award about six fellowships for the 2025 cohort. The Center will organize a co-curricular program to help fellows connect and their work. Harvard University ranks #4 in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and leads globally in research and innovation. Harvard develops talented scholars passionate about environmental research. Environmental Fellows collaborate with leading faculty, connect research disciplines, and benefit from Harvard’s extensive resources. Application Deadline: January 13, 2025.
Host letters and recommendation letters are due by January 23, 2025, at 5:00pm EST (10 days after the application deadline).
University/Institutions
- Name: Harvard University
- Place: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Ranking: Consistently ranked among the top universities globally (QS World University Rankings 2024: #4).
- Programs: Research-focused fellowship with mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Duration: 2 years
Focus Areas of the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program
The fellowship supports a wide range of interdisciplinary research areas addressing critical environmental challenges in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. These include:
- Climate Change and Resilience
- Mitigation strategies and adaptation solutions
- Climate modeling and forecasting
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Development of sustainable energy technologies
- Policy analysis for energy transition
- Public Health and Environmental Impacts
- Examining the effects of pollution and climate change on human health
- Strategies to improve environmental health outcomes
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Habitat restoration and species conservation
- Understanding ecosystem services and their role in sustainability
- Environmental Policy and Law
- Crafting sustainable policies and governance models
- Legal frameworks for addressing environmental challenges
- Urban Sustainability
- Designing sustainable cities and infrastructure
- Addressing urban environmental challenges
- Environmental Justice
- Exploring the intersection of environment and equity
- Ensuring fair distribution of environmental resources and benefits
Harvard Environmental Fellows Program Benefits
- The fellowship includes a salary of $90,000 per year
- Employee health insurance
- Up to $2,500 reimbursement for Relocation Expenses
- A $2,500 annual allowance for Travel and other professional expenses.
- All fellows will attend biweekly dinners with their colleagues, faculty, and guests.
- Fellows receive mentorship from Harvard’s world-renowned faculty.
- The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting fields like science, policy, and humanities.
Benefits Not Included
- Visa application fees
- Housing support
Eligibilities of Harvard Environmental Fellows Program
- Candidates can be from any university worldwide, and foreign nationals are welcome, though proficiency in English is required.
- Candidates for the 2025 Environmental Fellowship must have received their terminal degree between May 2021 and August 2025
- Fellows must have filed their dissertation before starting their appointment in September 2025.
- Applicants with a PhD or equivalent in any field are eligible, and they can propose research in any discipline.
- Those without a PhD may apply if their field does not typically require one. All candidates must have research experience.
- Candidates who received their degree from Harvard or are currently post-docs there can apply, but their research must explore new directions and involve new faculty or lab groups. They should not work extensively with their thesis advisor.
- Each candidate must secure a commitment from one or more Harvard faculty members to serve as mentors and provide office or lab space. Faculty hosting 2024 fellows cannot host additional fellows in 2025.
- Fellows must commit to working at Harvard for the full two years and reside in the Cambridge area. Any fieldwork should be planned for summer or January recess.
- Harvard is an equal-opportunity employer, and proficiency in English is required for all candidates.
Selection Criteria
- Applicants are evaluated based on their academic and professional success, as well as their potential contribution to scholarship or practice.
- The proposed project should be independent, extending beyond the candidate’s PhD work and the host’s current research
- The relevance of the project to environmental issues and the candidate’s intellectual potential are key selection factors.
- Harvard candidates (PhD graduates or current post-docs) are eligible if their project takes them in new directions, distinct from their previous research.
- The host’s commitment is crucial, including their enthusiasm for the project, ability to mentor, and provide a productive work environment.
- A select group of applicants will be invited for a video interview with the selection committee.
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Up to three publications/writing samples
- Research proposal (maximum of five pages, references counted separately)
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of support is also required from the applicant’s host committing to serve as a mentor
Harvard Environmental Fellows Program Application Process
- Identify and connect with a Harvard faculty mentor.
- Prepare and submit the required documents through the online application portal.
- Ensure all recommendation letters are submitted before the deadline.
- Await notification of results by spring 2025.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Clearly articulate how your research aligns with Harvard’s mission and resources.
- Collaborate closely with your proposed faculty mentor to refine your proposal.
- Highlight interdisciplinary aspects of your work.
- Proofread your documents to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Estimated Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Living in Cambridge can be expensive. Here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses:
- Housing: $1,800–$3,000 (depending on location and apartment size)
- Food: $400–$600 (groceries and occasional dining out)
- Transportation: $100–$200 (public transit, biking, or rideshare services)
- Utilities and Internet: $200–$300 (electricity, water, internet, and heating)
- Health Insurance (if not covered): $300–$500
- Miscellaneous Expenses: $300–$500 (entertainment, personal care, and incidentals)
Total Estimated Cost: $3,100–$5,100 per month
These costs can vary based on lifestyle, housing choices, and additional personal expenses. The fellowship’s stipend of $80,000 annually provides sufficient support for living and research expenses.
Why Choose This Opportunity?
This program offers a rare chance to work at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, access cutting-edge resources, and engage with a vibrant academic community. Fellows can make a tangible impact on environmental challenges while advancing their careers in research and leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the primary focus areas of the program?
The program supports research in climate change, public health, biodiversity, energy systems, and environmental policy.
2. Are international candidates eligible?
Yes, scholars from all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
3. What is the timeline for the application process?
Applications close in January 2025, with results announced by spring 2025.
4. Is a Harvard faculty mentor mandatory?
Yes, a letter of support from a Harvard faculty mentor is required for your application.
5. Can fellows bring dependents?
Yes, but additional living expenses for dependents are not covered by the fellowship.