Outstanding candidates from all over the world are welcome to apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027. Applications for this esteemed fully supported fellowship in the USA are invited from scholars, scientists, practitioners, intellectuals, artists, and authors with outstanding accomplishments and original ideas. About fifty fellows are chosen annually. In addition to money for project costs, housing, relocation, and childcare, fellows also receive a monthly stipend. During the fellowship, healthcare assistance is also offered.
Applicants from a variety of academic fields, professional backgrounds, nations, and career stages are encouraged to apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship. The program encourages fellows to share ideas across several sectors and celebrates diversity. There are no limitations according to nationality, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or academic field.
The fellowship, which is run by Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute, gives recipients time set aside for study, artistic endeavors, and novel concepts. Fellows join a global professional network and have the chance to work across disciplines, acquire new methods, and tackle significant global issues.
The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027–2028 is a fantastic chance to explore creative solutions, broaden professional networks, experience Harvard’s academic atmosphere, and enhance your academic or professional profile.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027 Quick Details
- Host Country: USA
- Host Institution: Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
- Programme: Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027–2028
- Research Level: Fellowship
- Eligible Applicants: International applicants
- Fellowship Duration: September 2027 – May 2028
- Fellows Selected: Approximately 50
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Nonfiction & Journalism Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
- Science, Engineering & Mathematics Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Important: The application deadline depends on the program area. Applicants should check their specific discipline before submitting an application.
Subjects Available and Degree Level
Rather than being a degree program, the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027–2028 is a fellowship for accomplished professionals, academics, scientists, artists, writers, and public intellectuals to work on independent projects.
Available Fields
- Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Education, Environmental Studies, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology, and more.
- Humanities: Literature, History, Philosophy, Architecture, Art History, Religion, Linguistics, and more.
- Creative Arts: Fiction, Poetry, Film and Video, Playwriting, Music Composition, and Visual Arts.
- Science, Engineering, and Mathematics: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and related disciplines.
- Journalism and Nonfiction: Journalism, Current Events, Memoirs, and Biographies.
The fellowship supports projects across a broad range of disciplines and encourages interdisciplinary work.
Eligibility Criteria for the Harvard Fellowship 2027 in USA
- The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship is open to applicants from all nations.
- Candidates should exhibit exceptional accomplishments and excellence in their fields.
- Depending on their field, candidates must demonstrate strong independent research, writing, or creative abilities.
- Applicants who are currently enrolled in a degree program are not eligible because the fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship.
- Practitioner candidates should have at least ten years of relevant professional experience and hold senior leadership roles in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors.
- Candidates should be recognized as leaders or accomplished professionals in their respective fields.
- Former Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 onward are not eligible to reapply.
Eligibility Criteria for Humanities and Social Sciences Applicants
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent terminal degree in an area related to their proposed project.
- For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the doctorate must have been received at least four years before the appointment, meaning by December 2023.
- Applicants must have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
Eligibility Criteria for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Applicants
- Applicants must have completed a doctorate in a field relevant to their proposed project.
- For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the doctorate must have been received at least four years before the appointment, meaning by December 2023.
- Applicants should have published at least five articles in refereed journals.
Eligibility Criteria for Creative Arts Applicants
Film and Video
- Applicants must demonstrate significant professional achievements through films, video festivals, television broadcasts, galleries, museums, or similar work.
Visual Arts
- Applicants must have substantial professional achievements as artists.
- They should have at least five years of professional experience as a professional artist.
- Applicants should have participated in several curated group exhibitions.
- Applicants should have at least two professional solo exhibitions.
Eligibility Criteria for Fiction and Nonfiction Applicants
Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Have published at least one book.
- Have a publishing contract for a book-length manuscript.
- Have published at least three substantial shorter works, excluding newspaper articles.
Eligibility Criteria for Journalism Applicants
- Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience as a journalist.
Eligibility Criteria for Playwriting Applicants
- Applicants must demonstrate a significant body of independent work, typically including plays that have been produced or are under option.
Eligibility Criteria for Poetry Applicants
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have had at least 20 poems or a book of poetry published during the previous five years.
- Applicants must be in the process of completing a manuscript.
Eligibility Criteria for Music Composition Applicants
- A PhD or DMA is desirable but not required.
- Applicants must demonstrate strong achievement as professional artists/composers.
- Applicants should have a record of recent performances.
Benefits of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027–2028
- A $78,000 stipend will be given to participants.
- An additional $5,000 is provided for project expenses.
- Fellows may be eligible for relocation assistance.
- Support may be available for housing/accommodation expenses.
- Eligible fellows may receive childcare support.
- Healthcare support is available as needed.
- Fellows receive office or studio space in Byerly Hall at Radcliffe Yard.
- Fellows receive full-time Harvard appointments as visiting fellows.
- Fellows can access the Harvard Library system and Harvard athletic facilities.
- Professional development and engagement opportunities are available throughout the fellowship year.
- Fellows join an international and interdisciplinary academic community at Harvard Radcliffe Institute.
Required Documents for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027
Applicants should prepare the following materials for the application:
- Completed online application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 1,400-word project proposal
- Bibliography, when appropriate
- Writing or work sample
- Contact information for three references
- Three recommendation letters, which referees will be prompted to submit through the application system
The exact work-sample requirements vary according to the applicant’s discipline. For example, humanities and social sciences applicants may submit up to 40 pages of relevant writing, while STEM applicants should submit three published articles. Creative arts, journalism, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, playwriting, film, and music applicants have discipline-specific sample requirements.
Application Process for Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship 2027
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements for your specific field before beginning the application. Radcliffe has different requirements for humanities, social sciences, STEM, creative arts, nonfiction, and journalism.
Step 2: Select Your Application Area
Choose the application area that best matches your proposed project and professional or academic background. The available areas include:
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Creative Arts
- Nonfiction and Journalism
- Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Step 3: Create an Account
Register as a new user through the online fellowship application portal using your name, email address, and password.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application Materials
Prepare your CV, project proposal, bibliography where applicable, work sample, and information for three references.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Upload all required materials through the online application portal before the deadline applicable to your program area.
Step 6: Recommendation Letters
Your three listed references will receive an email prompt to upload their letters of recommendation in support of your application.
Step 7: Application Review
Applications are reviewed in a two-stage process. First, experts in the relevant field evaluate applications. A multidisciplinary committee then selects a diverse group of fellows based on achievement, potential, and the quality and significance of the proposed project.
Step 8: Receive the Result
Applicants for the 2027–2028 fellowship will be notified by email of the outcome by the end of March 2027.
Important Deadline for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027
The deadlines differ according to the application area:
- Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Nonfiction and Journalism: September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
- Science, Engineering and Mathematics: October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Applicants should not assume that October 1 applies to every discipline. Check the official Radcliffe application information for the deadline associated with your application area.
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. The fellowship provides a $78,000 stipend plus $5,000 for project expenses, with eligible fellows potentially receiving additional relocation, housing, childcare, and healthcare support.
Who can apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
The fellowship welcomes accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, artists, public intellectuals, and practitioners from the USA and around the world, subject to the discipline-specific eligibility requirements.
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship a degree program?
No. It is a fellowship that provides selected fellows with time and resources to pursue an independent research, creative, or professional project at Radcliffe.
Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Applicants from around the world can apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for their respective discipline.
Do I need to be a Harvard student to apply?
No. The fellowship is open to eligible applicants from outside Harvard as well as the wider Harvard community.
Can current PhD students apply?
No. The fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship, and applicants currently enrolled in a degree program are ineligible.
How many fellows are selected?
The Radcliffe Fellowship Program supports approximately 50 scholars, artists, and public intellectuals each year.
Do fellows have to live in the USA?
Yes. Fellows are required to reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May and actively participate in the fellowship community.
How many recommendation letters are required?
Applicants provide the contact information for three references. The references are then prompted by email to submit recommendation letters through the application system.
What should the project proposal include?
The application requires a 1,400-word project proposal, with a bibliography when appropriate. Applicants should clearly explain the significance of their proposed project and demonstrate their intellectual or creative capacity to complete it.
When will applicants receive the decision?
Applicants will receive notification of their application result by the end of March 2027.
What is the official application website?
Applicants should apply through the official Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship application portal.
