Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028 supports scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists pursuing ambitious projects during a full academic year. Fellows receive a $78,000 stipend and an additional $5,000 for project expenses. Separate application deadlines apply to different programme areas.

Quick Overview

Programme: Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program
Opportunity Type: Interdisciplinary fellowship
Host Institution: Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Location: Cambridge/Boston area
Fellowship Period: September through May
Funding: $78,000 stipend and $5,000 project-expense allowance
Application Areas: Humanities and Social Sciences; Creative Arts; Nonfiction and Journalism; Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Deadlines: September 10, 2026, or October 1, 2026, depending on the application area

About the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program gives selected fellows time and resources to develop ambitious projects in an interdisciplinary environment at Harvard University.

The Institute welcomes proposals addressing important social, scientific and policy issues. It also encourages work that engages audiences beyond academia.

Applicants may propose projects related to women, gender and society or use the collections of the Schlesinger Library. However, eligibility is not limited to these areas.

The Institute also welcomes proposals connected to academic freedom, diversity of thought, political polarisation, inequality, religious pluralism and higher education. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics proposals affected by federal research funding cuts are also encouraged.

Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

Harvard Radcliffe fellows receive:

✓ A stipend of $78,000
✓ An additional $5,000 for project expenses
✓ Office or studio space in Byerly Hall
✓ A full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow
✓ Access to the Harvard Library system
✓ Access to University athletic facilities
✓ Professional development and engagement opportunities

Eligible fellows may also receive support for relocation, housing and childcare. Healthcare support is available when needed.

Fellows must reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May. This requirement allows them to participate in weekly talks, professional development workshops, social events and the wider fellowship community.

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General Eligibility Criteria

The programme accepts applications from individuals at different career stages. Academic applicants do not need to hold tenure.

However:

• Applicants currently enrolled in a degree programme cannot apply.
• The programme is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship.
• Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows selected from 1999 onward cannot apply.
• Applicants must meet the specific requirements for their selected programme area.

Humanities and Social Sciences Eligibility

Applicants in the humanities and social sciences must:

• Have received a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in the proposed project area by December 2023.
• Have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.

Accepted terminal qualifications may include a PhD, MD, JD, DPhil or DEd.

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Eligibility

Applicants in science, engineering and mathematics must:

• Have received a doctorate in the proposed project area by December 2023.
• Have published at least five articles in refereed journals.

The Institute notes that most fellows selected in these areas have published dozens of articles.

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Nonfiction and Journalism Eligibility

Journalism applicants must have worked professionally as journalists for at least five years.

Nonfiction applicants must have at least one of the following:

• One or more published books
• A contract to publish a book-length manuscript
• At least three published shorter works that are longer than newspaper articles

Creative Arts Eligibility

Creative arts requirements differ by discipline.

• Film and Video: Applicants need a significant body of independent work, typically presented through galleries, museums, festivals or television.
• Visual Arts: Applicants need at least five years of professional work, several curated group exhibitions and at least two professional solo exhibitions.
• Fiction: Applicants need a published book, a book contract or at least three published shorter works.
• Poetry: Applicants must have published at least 20 poems or a poetry book within the last five years and be completing a manuscript.
• Playwriting: Applicants need a significant independent body of work, typically including produced plays or plays under option.
• Music Composition: A PhD or DMA is desirable but not required. Applicants must demonstrate professional achievement through recent performances.

Required Application Materials

The fellowship application includes:

• An online application form
• A curriculum vitae
• A 1,400-word project proposal
• A bibliography when appropriate
• A writing or work sample
• Contact information for three references

The three references receive email instructions to upload their recommendation letters. All materials must be submitted through the online fellowship portal.

Work Sample Requirements

Work sample requirements depend on the selected discipline.

Humanities and social sciences applicants may submit writing related to their project. Otherwise, they may provide a published article or book chapter. The maximum length is 40 pages.

Science, engineering and mathematics applicants must submit three published articles.

Nonfiction and fiction applicants should generally submit approximately 30 pages. Journalism applicants must provide three substantive published articles totalling approximately 30 pages.

Creative arts applicants must follow the format and quantity requirements stated for their discipline. These may include poems, scripts, visual images, written scores or audio and video samples.

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Application Process

Applicants should:

• Create a new account on the official application portal.
• Select the application area that best matches their project and professional background.
• Complete the online application form.
• Upload the curriculum vitae, project proposal and required work sample.
• Enter the contact details of three references.
• Ensure that recommendation letters and all other materials are submitted before the applicable deadline.

Applicants proposing interdisciplinary projects should select the area that most closely matches their project and qualifications. They may also identify an additional discipline in the application.

Selection Process

Applications undergo a two-stage review.

First, experts in the applicant’s field assess the submission. A multidisciplinary committee then selects the fellowship class.

The review considers:

• The quality and significance of the proposed project
• The applicant’s intellectual or creative capacity
• Evidence of achievement or exceptional promise
• Collegiality
• Openness to interdisciplinary discussion

Applicants will receive the outcome of their application by email by the end of March 2027.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for applications in the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism is:

September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

The deadline for applications in science, engineering and mathematics is:

October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Complete applications, including recommendation letters, must reach the portal by the relevant deadline.

Official Link

Submit your application through the official application portal below.

Apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028