Harvard BKC Fellowship 2026 | Fully Funded in USA

The BKC at Harvard University invites applications from scholars and practitioners for the Harvard BKC Fellowship to propose and lead independent research aligned with its interdisciplinary AI research agenda.

The program welcomes individuals from a wide range of backgrounds (technology, law, policy, arts, humanities) who can bridge technical and non-technical audiences, work in interdisciplinary settings, and contribute to public interest research.

Harvard BKC Fellowship Summary

Time and Location of the Fellowship

• Jan-Aug 2026 Fellowships: Up to 8 months, dates set with BKC.
• 2026-27 Fellowships: Sep 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027.
• Applicants can apply for either or both periods.
• Residency: In-person attendance in Cambridge, MA, is encouraged; remote attendance is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Workspace: BKC offices at Harvard Law School campus.
• Fellows must be free from significant commitments to dedicate themselves fully to research.

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Benefits of the Harvard BKC Fellowship

• Stipend/Funding: Fully funded fellows may receive up to USD $75,000 for a 12-month period (approximately $6,250/month), depending on funding and duration.
• Access to University Resources: Fellows based in Cambridge will be provided with shared office/work space, as well as access to Harvard’s libraries and research facilities.
• Community & Networking: You’ll engage with BKC faculty, staff, students, and the broader Harvard community through workshops, events, reading groups, and collaborations.
• Flexibility in research output: Your project may result in prototypes, open-source tools, datasets, public writings (op-eds, blogs, policy briefs), academic papers, or convenings.
• Teaching/Course Audit Opportunities: Fellows may have the opportunity to audit Harvard courses and possibly teach, although this is done on a case-by-case basis.

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Eligibility Requirements for Harvard BKC Fellowship

• Applicants may be rising or established scholars or practitioners from any relevant discipline (technology, policy, social sciences, arts/humanities).
• Interdisciplinary and multisectoral backgrounds are preferred, as mixing technical and non-technical expertise is a plus.
• Technical / Scientific Research Route: Candidates proposing technical AI research or engineering should ideally have a PhD in CS or a related technical field (or equivalent experience), demonstrated expertise in Python/AI frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, JAX), and publications in peer-reviewed CS conferences or equivalent.
• Non-Technical Research Route: For those working primarily in non-technical fields (such as policy, arts, humanities, etc.), relevant experience and the ability to lead independent research are required.
• International applicants are welcome. The Harvard International Office will assist with visa sponsorship for eligible fellows.
• Residency: BKC strongly encourages fellows to reside in Cambridge, MA, for the majority of their appointment. Non-resident fellowships may be considered, but must be justified.
• Time commitment: Fellows are expected to be mostly free of regular institutional commitments, allowing them to devote time to the fellowship.

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Required Documents for Harvard BKC Fellowship

When you apply, you’ll need to upload the following (all attachments as PDFs, individual files less than 5 MB):

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Cover Letter (1-2 pages): Should outline your background, motivations, goals; why BKC is a good fit for you, what you bring; any institutional deadlines affecting your ability to accept a fellowship.
3. Project Proposal (2-3 pages): Describe the research you intend to conduct during the fellowship: the problem, methods, intended audiences, and alignment with BKC’s research priorities.
4. Work Samples (1-3 samples, combined into one PDF): These should relate to your proposal or show your prior work. Up to three samples will be reviewed.
5. Contact Information for Two Professional References: Provide name, title, organization, email/phone, and relationship. If you become a finalist, they may ask for letters or reference calls.

Also in the online form you’ll respond to questions such as: what time period you’re applying for, which of the research priorities your work most aligns with, whether your proposal is technical/non-technical/both, your discipline(s), sector, home institution, title, stipend pathway (funded vs externally funded), whether you plan to reside in Cambridge, etc.

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How to Apply for the Harvard BKC Fellowship

1. Visit the application link provided on the BKC fellowship page.
2. Fill in the online application form (personal and work-related questions) and upload the required documents listed above.
3. In the online form, choose the appointment period you wish to apply for: January-August 2026, or September 2026-August 2027 (or both).
4. Indicate whether you’re applying for BKC funding (up to $75K) or if you have external funding and don’t need a BKC stipend.
5. Specify your residency plan (e.g., whether you will live in Cambridge, partly live, or live elsewhere) because in-residence is strongly encouraged.
6. Application deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
7. After submission, if you are selected as a finalist, you may be contacted for reference letters or calls. Then, if selected, arrangements will be made for stipend/funding, residency, and start date.

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