Harvard University offers numerous scholarships for international students based on academic merit and financial need. Harvard University Academy Scholars Program is open to recent PhD recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences. The Harvard Academy Scholars Program supports exceptional early-career scholars in social sciences who focus on regions outside the United States and Canada. These scholars combine expertise in their field with knowledge of the language, culture, and issues specific to their area of study.
Harvard University consistently ranks among the top three across major ranking organizations, such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and U.S. News & World Report. Academy Scholars are selected for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies in Cambridge, MA. They receive financial support and research resources to work on major projects and build skills in their fields. Scholars connect through dinners, seminars, and casual meetings, encouraging fresh, interdisciplinary ideas in their work. Application deadlines: September 20, 2024
University/Institution Details
- Name: Harvard University
- Place: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Ranking: Consistently ranks among the top global universities (Top 3 globally).
- Programs: Postdoctoral fellowship focusing on social sciences and law
- Duration: 2 years
Study Areas of Harvard University Academy Scholars Program
Eligible fields in the Social Sciences, as long as the regional focus is outside the United States or Canada:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Ethnic Studies
- Geography
- Government
- History
- History of Science
- International Relations
- Law
- Political Economy and Government
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Social Policy
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Women, Gender, & Sexuality
Also welcome applications from the following regional studies fields, as long as the applicant’s research is designed in terms of one or more of the above Social Science fields:
- Africa Studies
- Asia Studies
- Central Asia Studies
- East Asian Languages and Civilizations
- Eastern Europe Studies
- Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
- Latin American and Iberian Studies
- Middle East Studies
- Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
- Russia Studies
- Slavic Languages and Civilization
- South Asia Studies
- Southeast Asia Studies
- Ukraine Studies
- Western Europe Studies
Scholarship Benefits
- Open to recent PhD recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences.
- An annual stipend of $80,000, with the two years to be completed within a three-year window
- Appointed for a two-year in-residence postdoctoral fellowship
- Substantial financial and research assistance which permits to undertake robust research projects and skills development in their chosen fields and areas
- Mentored by the Harvard Academy Senior Scholars, a cohort of faculty members
- Scholars connect through dinners, seminars, and casual meetings, encouraging fresh, interdisciplinary ideas in their work
Benefits Not Included
- Health insurance
- Accommodation
- Visa-related fees
Harvard University Academy Scholars Program Eligibilities
- Open to scholars from all countries and citizenships
- Recently completed or currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent doctoral program in the social sciences,
- If you have completed a PhD program, the PhD completion date must be within two years of the August 1, 2025, start date. For applicants applying for the September 20, 2024, deadline, you must have completed your PhD after July 31, 2023.
- PhD candidates nearing dissertation completion must be able to submit degree conferral documentation issued by their university registrar’s office by June 30, 2025, for an August 1, 2025, start date.
- Individuals who hold or have completed another Harvard postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply.
- Finalists must be available for a personal interview on our December 6, 2024, interview date. The Harvard Academy will pay for travel and hotel accommodations for the finalists to interview in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
- Year 1 of the fellowship must be taken up no later than the fall immediately following the postdoctoral fellowship offer. Delays or deferrals in the start of Year 1 are not permitted.
- Between Years 1 and 2, Academy Scholars may apply for a one-time leave (up to 12 months), either to accept or to continue with a tenure-track teaching appointment but for no other reason.
- Academy Scholars may not accept other sources of funding, awards, or obligations during their appointment.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Curriculum vitae (CV); including list of publications
- Research proposal (2000 words maximum); including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work
- One scholarly writing sample (e.g., PhD dissertation chapter or single-authored peer-reviewed academic journal article; fifty pages maximum; in English)
- A copy of your PhD program transcript
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded to the online application directly and confidentially by the recommender by September 20, 2024)
- All parts of the application
- All parts of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, are submitted online as pdf documents.
Application Process of Harvard University Academy Scholars Program
- Access the online application through the homepage of The Harvard Academy’s website by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button.
- Create a new account
- All application materials must be submitted by the deadline of September 20, 2024.
- Ensure your proposal aligns with the Academy’s research themes.
- Please note that a full application packet must not exceed 10MB in size, so be sure to minimize the size of any large PDF files before uploading.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Highlight a strong research background and interest in non-Western studies.
- Ensure your proposal aligns with the Academy’s research themes.
- Choose references who can speak to your research potential.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students
International students in Cambridge, Massachusetts, should anticipate monthly living expenses of around $2,500–$3,500. This estimate includes costs for housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, and health insurance. Housing can vary significantly depending on proximity to Harvard’s campus and the type of accommodation chosen, making it important for scholars to budget accordingly.
Why Choose This Scholarship?
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program offers unmatched academic support, research funding, and global networking opportunities at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, aiding early-career scholars in advancing their research careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Harvard University Academy Scholars Program
- Can I apply if my PhD is not yet completed?
Yes, you can apply if you are nearing the completion of your PhD. However, you must have completed all requirements for your PhD before the start of the fellowship. - Are scholars allowed to teach while on the fellowship?
The Academy Scholars Program does not require teaching, but scholars may have opportunities to participate in teaching or guest lectures depending on the program’s needs and your interests. - Is the scholarship renewable after two years?
No, the Academy Scholars Program is a two-year, non-renewable fellowship. However, you can apply for other funding or postdoctoral opportunities once the fellowship concludes. - What travel expenses are covered by the scholarship?
The program provides funding for travel related to research, such as attending conferences, but does not cover personal travel or vacations. - Can my research focus on Western regions?
The program is specifically designed for scholars working on non-Western regions. Research focusing on Western areas may not be considered, unless it involves a comparative approach that includes non-Western perspectives.