The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program offers scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists a rare chance to pursue ambitious projects for a full academic year in a vibrant interdisciplinary setting, amid the resources of Harvard University. Applications for the 2027–2028 fellowship year are now open.
About the Program
The Institute welcomes innovative work that confronts pressing social, scientific and policy issues and seeks to engage audiences beyond academia. Reflecting Radcliffe's history, it welcomes (but isn't limited to) proposals focused on women, gender and society or drawing on the Schlesinger Library's collections.
Focus Area
The Institute also invites proposals relevant to its 2024–2029 multiyear focus area: academic freedom and connecting across difference. Proposals may address intellectual virtues, free and open inquiry, diversity of thought, political polarization, peace and conflict, inequality and religious pluralism as they relate to higher education, including work that constructively challenges disciplinary orthodoxies.
Application Areas
📚 Humanities and Social Sciences
🎨 Creative Arts
✍️ Nonfiction and Journalism
🔬 Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Eligibility
🚫 This is not a postdoctoral fellowship, and those currently enrolled in a degree program are ineligible
🎓 Open to individuals across career stages; academics are not required to have tenure
⛔ Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows (1999–present) are ineligible
📖 Humanities/social sciences: a doctorate (or equivalent) at least four years before appointment, plus a monograph or at least two refereed articles
🔬 Science/engineering/maths: a doctorate at least four years before appointment, plus at least five refereed articles
✍️ Nonfiction/journalism: at least five years of professional journalism, or published books/a book contract/three shorter works
🎨 Creative arts: discipline-specific records of achievement (exhibitions, publications, productions or performances)
Application Materials
📝 An application form, CV, a 1,400-word project proposal (with bibliography where appropriate), a writing or work sample, and contact details for three references who upload recommendation letters
Benefits
💶 A stipend of $78,000 plus an additional $5,000 to cover project expenses
🏠 Possible relocation, housing and childcare funds, with healthcare support as needed
🏛️ Office or studio space in Byerly Hall (Radcliffe Yard) and a full-time Harvard visiting fellow appointment, with access to the Harvard Library system and University athletic facilities
📚 Professional development and engagement opportunities throughout the year
Relocation
Fellows must reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May to participate fully in the community, including weekly fellows' talks, professional development workshops and social events.
The Details
📍 Location: Cambridge/Boston, United States (Harvard Radcliffe Institute)
🎓 Fellowship year: 2027–2028 (a full academic year, September to May)
👥 For: scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists across career stages
💶 Award: a $78,000 stipend plus $5,000 in project expenses (with possible relocation, housing and childcare funds and healthcare support)
📩 Results: applicants notified by email by the end of March 2027
How to Apply
📝 Register and apply via the Online Fellowship Application Portal, selecting your application area
Deadlines
📅 Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism: 10 September 2026 (5 PM ET)
📅 Science, engineering and mathematics: 1 October 2026 (5 PM ET)
Links
🔗 Details: https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/radcliffe-fellowship/application-information
