Applications are now open for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 in the United States. The fully funded fellowship at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute invites scholars, scientists, writers, journalists, artists, and public intellectuals from around the world to pursue independent projects at Harvard University for one academic year.
Each year, around 50 fellows are selected to join an interdisciplinary community in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The fellowship supports individuals working on innovative projects in fields including humanities, social sciences, creative arts, journalism, public policy, science, engineering, and mathematics.
The Harvard fellowship offers generous funding, including a stipend of $78,000, project support funding, relocation assistance, housing support, and access to Harvard’s world-class academic resources.
WhatsApp ChannelHarvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 Overview
- Host Institution: Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
- Country: United States
- Fellowship Duration: September 2027 to May 2028
- Number of Fellows: Approximately 50 fellows annually
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Applicants: International applicants from all countries
- Application Deadlines: September 10 and October 1, 2026
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Benefits of the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028
Selected fellows will receive several financial and professional benefits during the fellowship period.
Financial Benefits
- Annual stipend of $78,000
- Additional $5,000 project expense fund
- Relocation assistance
- Housing support
- Childcare assistance
- Healthcare support
Academic and Professional Benefits
- Access to Harvard University libraries and research facilities
- Opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment
- Collaboration with leading scholars, researchers, artists, and professionals
- Time and institutional support to focus on independent projects
- Membership in one of the world’s most prestigious academic communities
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Why the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Is Prestigious
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is considered one of the leading interdisciplinary fellowship programs globally. Fellows are selected based on academic excellence, professional achievement, originality of ideas, and the potential impact of their proposed projects.
The program encourages work that addresses major social, scientific, artistic, and policy-related challenges. Harvard Radcliffe also welcomes projects connected to academic freedom, diversity of thought, inequality, peace and conflict, religion in public life, and higher education.
Unlike many postdoctoral programs, the fellowship supports individuals across different career stages, including journalists, practitioners, writers, and artists.
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Eligibility Criteria for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028
Applicants from all nationalities are eligible to apply. However, candidates must meet discipline-specific eligibility requirements.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have a record of professional or academic achievement
- Demonstrate strong independent research or creative work
- Not currently enrolled in a degree program
- Not be former Radcliffe fellows from 1999 onward
Eligibility for Humanities and Social Sciences
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctorate or equivalent degree in the proposed field
- Have received the degree at least four years before the fellowship appointment
- Have published:
- one monograph, or
- at least two peer-reviewed academic articles
Eligibility for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctorate in the proposed field
- Have received the degree at least four years before the fellowship year
- Have published at least five peer-reviewed journal articles
Most successful applicants in these disciplines have extensive publication records.
Eligibility for Journalism and Nonfiction
Journalism
Applicants must:
- Have at least five years of professional journalism experience
Nonfiction
Applicants must have one of the following:
- One or more published books
- A book publication contract
- At least three substantial published works
Eligibility for Creative Arts
Film and Video
Applicants should demonstrate significant independent achievement through exhibitions, festivals, broadcasts, or screenings.
Visual Arts
Applicants must:
- Have at least five years of professional artistic practice
- Participate in curated group exhibitions
- Hold at least two solo exhibitions
Fiction
Applicants must have published books, a publication contract, or multiple published works.
Poetry
Applicants must:
- Publish at least 20 poems or one poetry collection within the last five years
- Be working on a manuscript
Playwriting
Applicants should demonstrate substantial independent work, including produced plays.
Music Composition
Applicants should show strong evidence of achievement through recent professional performances. A PhD or DMA is preferred but not required.
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Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit the following documents through the online application portal:
- Completed application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 1,400-word project proposal
- Bibliography (if required)
- Writing or work sample
- Contact details of three referees
Recommendation letters must also be submitted before the deadline.
How to Apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship
Follow these steps to apply:
- Visit the official application portal
- Create a new account
- Log in to the application system
- Select your program area
- Upload all required documents
- Submit your application before the deadline
Application Deadline
The application deadline varies by discipline.
- Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Journalism, and Nonfiction:
September 10, 2026 - Science, Engineering, and Mathematics:
October 1, 2026
Tips for a Strong Fellowship Application
The project proposal is one of the most important parts of the application. Successful applicants usually present projects that are:
- original and clearly defined,
- interdisciplinary in approach,
- relevant to current global issues,
- and accessible to broader audiences beyond academia.
Strong recommendation letters and a clear record of professional achievement can also significantly improve an applicant’s chances.
