Harvard University Opens Applications for Prestigious Academy Scholars Postdoctoral Program (2027–2028)

CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA — The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, operating within the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, has officially launched its global call for applications for the 2027–2028 Academy Scholars Program.

​This flagship two-year, in-residence postdoctoral fellowship is designed for exceptional early-career social scientists and legal scholars whose research combines deep disciplinary excellence with specialized knowledge of languages and regions outside the United States or Canada. Each year, the Harvard Academy selects a cohort of only 5 to 6 scholars from across the globe.

​Key Highlights at a Glance

• ​Host Institution: The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies (Harvard University)
• ​Program Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2-Year In-Residence Appointment)
• ​Target Discipline: Social Sciences and Law (including History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, and International Relations)
• ​Annual Stipend: $80,000 per year plus $6,000 annual research funding
• ​Application Deadline: September 18, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)
• ​Fellowship Start Date: August 1, 2027

​Fellowship Benefits and Financial Package

​Appointed Academy Scholars receive a competitive funding and support infrastructure during their two-year residency at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts:

• ​Annual Financial Allowance: An annual stipend of $80,000.
• ​Research & Training Support: $6,000 per year in direct research support, alongside funding for conference travel and supplementary skill training.
• ​Academic Mentorship: Direct structural guidance from Harvard Academy Senior Scholars—a core faculty panel composed of distinguished senior Harvard professors.
• ​Interdisciplinary Network: Dedicated office space, access to Harvard’s extensive library system, and active involvement in seminars, research dinners, and workshops.

​Eligibility Requirements

​The program is open to candidates of any citizenship or nationality who fulfill the following criteria:

1. ​Doctoral Status: Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, or SJD in the social sciences or law.

• ​Degree Completion Window:​For PhD Holders: Candidates must have completed their PhD on or after August 1, 2025 (within two years of the August 1, 2027 start date).
• ​For Advanced PhD Candidates: Doctoral candidates currently completing their dissertations must be able to submit official degree conferral documentation issued by their university registrar by June 30, 2027.

1. ​Ineligibility: Individuals who hold or have previously completed another postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University are ineligible.

​Required Application Materials

​All application documents must be converted into PDF format and submitted online through the official Harvard Academy portal by September 18, 2026:

• ​Curriculum Vitae (CV): Updated academic resume including a complete list of peer-reviewed publications.
• ​Research Proposal: A detailed narrative (maximum 2,000 words) outlining intellectual goals, methodology, interdisciplinary significance, and regional focus.
• ​Scholarly Writing Sample: One publication or dissertation chapter demonstrating academic writing quality.
• ​Academic Transcripts: Official PhD transcripts or academic records.
• ​Three Recommendation Letters: Letters from academic referees (due no later than September 28, 2026).

​Finalists selected by the committee must be available to participate in personal interviews scheduled for December 4, 2026, in Cambridge, MA