The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies offers a remarkable fellowship program designed to support the next generation of scholars in the social sciences. The 2025-26 Harvard Academy Scholars Program stands out as a prestigious and sought-after opportunity, providing invaluable resources and a nurturing environment for early-career researchers.
Program Overview
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program is a cornerstone initiative of the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies. This program is crafted to identify and support exceptional scholars at the beginning of their academic careers. The Academy Scholars are distinguished by their exceptional promise, resourcefulness, initiative, and originality. Their work is characterized by a blend of excellence in a social science discipline and a profound understanding of regions outside the United States and Canada.
This fellowship emphasizes interdisciplinary and comparative research that addresses significant global issues. Scholars are encouraged to traverse traditional disciplinary boundaries, offering fresh perspectives on transnational, comparative, or domestic matters. The Harvard Academy values innovative approaches that can elucidate past and present phenomena across various regions and countries.
Community and Mentorship at the Harvard Academy Scholars Program
One of the defining features of the Academy Scholars Program is its emphasis on community and mentorship. Selected scholars join a select group of peers, creating a vibrant intellectual community. This environment fosters collaboration and intellectual exchange, providing scholars with the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of perspectives and methodologies.
The Harvard Academy Senior Scholars play a pivotal role in this program. These senior faculty members act as mentors, providing guidance and support to the Academy Scholars. They also serve on the selection committee, ensuring that the program attracts and nurtures top-tier talent. Regular interactions through dinners, seminars, and informal gatherings facilitate meaningful connections and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Eligibility Criteria for Postdoctoral Fellowship
- The Academy Scholars Program is open to recent PhD recipients and advanced doctoral candidates in the social sciences.
- Candidates must have received their PhD or equivalent doctoral degree within two years of the fellowship’s start date on August 1, 2025.
- Advanced doctoral candidates nearing the completion of their dissertations are also eligible, provided they can submit degree conferral documentation by June 30, 2025.
- It is important to note that individuals who have previously held a Harvard postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply for this program. This restriction ensures that the program remains open to fresh talent and new perspectives.
Fellowship Terms and Financial Support
Each year, the Harvard Academy Scholars Program selects five or six scholars for a two-year in-residence fellowship at Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The fellowship includes a generous annual stipend of $80,000, which provides substantial financial support to enable scholars to focus on their research projects without financial constraints.
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The fellowship’s two-year duration must be completed within a three-year window. Year 1 of the fellowship must commence no later than the fall immediately following the fellowship offer. Delays or deferrals in the start of Year 1 are not permitted. However, scholars may apply for a one-time leave of up to 12 months between Years 1 and 2. This leave can be used to accept or continue a tenure-track teaching appointment but is not permissible for other reasons. During the fellowship, Academy Scholars are not allowed to accept other sources of funding, awards, or obligations.
Application Process
The application process for the 2025-26 Harvard Academy Scholars Program is rigorous and competitive. Applications will be accepted starting on June 5, 2024. All application materials must be submitted by the deadline of September 20, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications are not accepted, so it is crucial for candidates to plan accordingly.
The completed application must include the following components:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): This should include a list of publications and provide a comprehensive overview of the candidate’s academic and professional achievements.
- Research Proposal: The proposal should not exceed 2000 words and must outline the candidate’s intellectual objectives and the planned methodological and disciplinary work. It should clearly articulate the significance and potential impact of the proposed research.
- Scholarly Writing Sample: Candidates must submit a sample of their scholarly writing, such as a PhD dissertation chapter or a single-authored peer-reviewed academic journal article. The sample should not exceed fifty pages and must be in English.
- PhD Program Transcript: An official transcript from the candidate’s PhD program is required. For candidates from foreign universities, as much transcript-like official documentation as possible should be provided.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation must be submitted. These letters should be uploaded directly and confidentially by the recommenders through the online application system by September 20, 2024.
All parts of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, must be submitted online as PDF documents. The online application can be accessed through the homepage of The Harvard Academy’s website by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button. Answers to frequently asked questions are also available on the website to assist applicants in navigating the process.
Selection Process for the Harvard Academy Scholars Program
The selection process for the Harvard Academy Scholars Program begins immediately after the application deadline. The Selection Committee, comprising Harvard Academy Senior Scholars, carefully reviews each application to identify candidates who demonstrate exceptional promise and originality in their research. Incomplete applications are at a disadvantage, underscoring the importance of thorough and timely submission.
The announcement of the awards is made in December 2024, providing ample time for the selected scholars to prepare for their fellowship starting in August 2025.
The 2025-26 Harvard Academy Scholars Program represents a unique and prestigious opportunity for early-career scholars in the social sciences. With its generous financial support, robust research assistance, and a vibrant intellectual community, the program offers an unparalleled platform for scholars to advance their research and careers.
The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies is dedicated to building an inclusive community of scholars with diverse experiences, perspectives, and methodologies. This commitment to diversity enriches the program and ensures that it continues to foster groundbreaking research and innovative approaches to global issues.
Aspiring scholars are encouraged to meticulously prepare their application materials and submit them by the September 20, 2024 deadline. For more information, visit the Harvard Academy’s website or contact applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu. This fellowship could be the launchpad for your academic career, providing the support and resources needed to make significant contributions to your field.
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