Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2027

This program is open to recent PhD recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences.

The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies is dedicated to promoting innovative social science hand-in-hand with deepening our shared knowledge of the experiences and practices of the world's regions and countries. The Academy Scholars Program identifies and supports outstanding researchers at the start of their academic careers whose work combines excellence in a social science discipline with a command of the language and knowledge or expertise of countries or regions outside of the United States or Canada. The scholarship of the group spans traditional disciplinary divisions and elucidates comparative, transnational, and domestic issues, past and present.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineSeptember 18, 2026
• Value$80,000-$90,000
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorHarvard university
• City to studyMassachusetts
• School to studyHarvard university
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Each year, five to six Academy Scholars are named for two-year in-residence appointments with an annual stipend of $80,000 (annual research support of $6,000 is also provided)

Requirements

These awards are open to recipients of PhD or equivalent degrees granted within two years of the August 1, 2027, start date and advanced doctoral candidates in the social sciences. Scholars nearing dissertation completion must be able to submit degree conferral documentation issued by their university registrar’s office by June 30, 2027, for an August 1, 2027, start date. Individuals who hold or have completed another postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply.

• The Academy Scholars Program is open to scholars from all countries and citizenships who have recently completed or are nearing completion of a PhD or equivalent degree program (DPhil and SJD included) in the social sciences.

• The Academy Scholars Program is not a degree-granting program. If you have not recently completed or are not currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent degree program in the social sciences, you are not eligible to apply for the Academy Scholars Program.
• If you have completed a PhD program, the PhD completion date must be within two years of the August 1, 2027, start date. For applicants applying for the September 18, 2026, deadline, you must have completed your PhD on or after August 1, 2025.  
• PhD candidates nearing dissertation completion must be able to submit degree conferral documentation issued by their university registrar’s office by June 30, 2027, for an August 1, 2027, start date.
• No postponements or deferrals of the August 1, 2027, start date will be allowed.
• Individuals who hold or have completed another postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply.
• Finalists must be available for a personal interview on our December 4, 2026, interview date. The Harvard Academy will make all arrangements for the finalists to interview with the Selection Committee.

Selection Process

• The selection process begins immediately thereafter. Applicants whose materials are incomplete are at a disadvantage when considered by the Selection Committee. We anticipate awards will be announced in December 2026.

Application Documents

The completed application will include:

• 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, for example, a PhD dissertation chapter or peer-reviewed journal article. Co-authored texts are acceptable provided each author’s contribution is clearly specified and authorship is not shared with an academic advisor. This should be in English and no longer than fifty pages.
• A copy of your PhD program transcript
• Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly and confidentially by the recommender through the online application—please note you will need to submit your application before an upload link is sent to your recommender, so plan accordingly)

All parts of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, are submitted online as .pdf documents. Access the online application through the homepage of The Harvard Academy’s website by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button.

All materials except for letters of recommendation must be received by September 18, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT (please ensure letters of recommendation arrive no later than September 28, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT).

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Applications are made via the Application Portal.

For more information, kindly visit the Harvard Academy webpage.