How to apply for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme

More International scholarships now available. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025/2026 Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme. The program, offered by The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, aims to identify and assist exceptional scholars who are in the early stages of their academic careers. These scholars should demonstrate excellence in a social science discipline, as well as possess a deep understanding of languages, knowledge, or expertise related to countries or regions outside of the United States or Canada. Their research should transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and shed light on comparative, transnational, or domestic issues, whether historical or contemporary.

The Academy Scholars form a distinguished community of individuals who exhibit resourcefulness, initiative, and originality in their work. Their research holds promise as a foundation for future careers in research universities or international institutions.

Eligibility for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme

1. To be eligible for the program, applicants must hold a PhD or a comparable doctoral degree, obtained within two years of the program’s start date on August 1, 2025.
2. Advanced doctoral candidates in the social sciences are also welcome to apply.
3. Scholars who are close to completing their dissertations must be able to provide proof of degree conferral by their university registrar’s office no later than June 30, 2025, in order to begin the program on August 1, 2025.
4. Selected Academy Scholars will be appointed for a two-year in-residence postdoctoral fellowship at The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, located at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, USA. They will receive substantial financial support and research assistance, enabling them to pursue robust research projects and enhance their skills in their respective fields and areas of interest.
5. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to engage in dinners, seminars, and informal gatherings, fostering innovative interdisciplinary approaches to their work. The scholars will also benefit from mentorship provided by the Harvard Academy Senior Scholars, a group of faculty members who serve as the selection committee, actively participate in Academy events, and are dedicated to supporting the scholars as they strive to reach their full potential.

Terms for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme

1. Every year, the Academy selects five or six Scholars to serve as residents for a period of two years.
2. These Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $80,000, and they must complete their residency within a three-year timeframe.
3. The first year of the fellowship must be started no later than the fall immediately following the offer of the postdoctoral fellowship.

How to Apply for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme

1. All application materials must be submitted by the deadline of September 20, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.
2. The completed application should include:
3. – Curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of publications
4. – Research proposal (maximum of 2000 words) outlining intellectual objectives and planned methodology and disciplinary work
5. – One scholarly writing sample (e.g., a chapter from a PhD dissertation or a single-authored peer-reviewed academic journal article) with a maximum of fifty pages, written in English
6. – A copy of your PhD program transcript
7. – Three letters of recommendation (uploaded directly and confidentially by the recommender through the online application) by September 20, 2024
8. For details visit the official webpage of the Harvard University Academy Scholars Programme.