Harvard University 2026 Academy Scholars Programme in USA

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The Harvard University Academy Scholars Program identifies and supports outstanding scholars at the start of their academic careers.

The Harvard University Academy Scholars Program awards selected applicants with an annual stipend of $80,000, which permits them to undertake robust research projects and skills development in their chosen fields and areas.

Eligibility Criteria For The Harvard University 2026 Academy Scholars Programme in USA

To be considered for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Program, you must understand the following criteria:

These awards are open to recipients of PhD or comparable doctoral degrees (within two years of the August 1, 2026, 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, 2026, for an August 1, 2026, start date.
Individuals who hold or have completed another Harvard postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply.

Benefits Of The Harvard University 2026 Academy Scholars Programme in USA

Each year, five or six Academy Scholars are named for two-year in-residence appointments, accompanied by an annual stipend of $80,000, with the two years to be completed within a three-year period.
Year 1 of the fellowship must be taken up no later than the fall immediately following the postdoctoral fellowship offer. Delays or deferrals in the start of Year 1 are not permitted.
Between Years 1 and 2, Academy Scholars may apply for a one-time leave (up to 12 months), either to accept or to continue with a tenure-track teaching appointment, but for no other reason.
Academy Scholars may not accept other sources of funding, awards, or obligations during their appointment.

Required Documents

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

Curriculum vitae (CV), including a list of publications
Research proposal (2000 words maximum), including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work
One scholarly writing sample (e.g., PhD dissertation chapter or single-authored peer-reviewed academic journal article; fifty pages maximum; in English)
A copy of your PhD program transcript
Three letters of recommendation (uploaded to the online application directly and confidentially by the recommender by September 20, 2024).

How To apply for the Harvard University 2026 Academy Scholars Programme in USA

Click on the button below to visit the Academy Scholars Program page
Access the online application through the homepage of The Harvard Academy’s website by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button.
All parts of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, are submitted online as PDF documents.
Applicants whose materials are incomplete are at a disadvantage when considered by the Selection Committee.
Announcement of the awards will be made in December 2024.

Questions should be emailed to: applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is September 19, 2025. Interested and qualified candidates should apply