The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program 2027–2028 is a fellowship for accomplished applicants working across the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, mathematics, nonfiction, and journalism. The fellowship runs from September 2027 to May 2028 and provides a $78,000 stipend plus an additional $5,000 for project expenses.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: 2027–2028 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program
Category: Fellowship
Host: Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Institution: Harvard University
Duration: September 2027–May 2028
Funding Support: $78,000 stipend plus $5,000 project expense allowance
Application Deadlines: September 10, 2026, and October 1, 2026, depending on the application area
Result Notification: March 2027
About the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship brings together fellows from different fields and supports independent work in a multidisciplinary environment. Harvard Radcliffe Fellows may come from the sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences.
The programme is designed for applicants who can demonstrate a strong body of independent work and accomplishment. The official FAQ also states that the fellowship is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship.
You may like: EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 for Mobile Researchers
What Fellows Receive
Selected fellows receive financial and institutional support during the fellowship year. Confirmed support includes:
✓ $78,000 stipend
✓ $5,000 project expense allowance
✓ Additional funds to aid relocation
✓ Office or studio space in Byerly Hall, Radcliffe Yard
✓ Full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow
✓ Access to Harvard University libraries and athletic facilities
✓ Covered hourly wages for Harvard undergraduate Research Partners, when fellows hire them
✓ Professional development and engagement opportunities
Fellows also present work-in-progress during the fellowship year. This may take the form of a private talk for their cohort or a public lecture. Group lunches take place two days per week, and fellows are invited to attend Institute events throughout the year.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for their programme area. Requirements differ by field, and applicants should select the area that matches their proposed project, education, professional background, or artistic background.
Recommended: Harkness Fellowship 2027–28 in the United States
Eligibility by Field
Humanities and social sciences applicants must:
• Have received their doctorate in the area of the proposed project at least four years before appointment as a fellow.
• Have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
Science, engineering, and mathematics applicants must:
• Have received their doctorate in the area of the proposed project at least four years before appointment as a fellow.
• Have published at least five articles in refereed journals.
Nonfiction and journalism applicants must meet discipline-specific requirements:
• Journalism applicants must have worked professionally as journalists for at least five years.
• Nonfiction applicants must have one or more published books, a contract for a book-length manuscript, or at least three shorter published works longer than newspaper articles.
Creative arts applicants must meet the requirements for their discipline:
• Film and video applicants must show a body of independent work of significant achievement.
• Visual arts applicants must show strong evidence of achievement, including at least five years of professional work, several curated group shows, and at least two professional solo exhibitions.
• Fiction applicants must have one or more published books, a contract for a book-length manuscript, or at least three shorter published works.
• Poetry applicants must have at least 20 poems or a book of poetry published in the last five years and must be completing a manuscript.
• Playwriting applicants must have a significant body of independent work, typically including plays produced or under option.
• Music composition applicants do not need a PhD or DMA, but must show strong professional achievement and recent performances.
Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows from 1999 to the present are not eligible to apply.
Additional Eligibility Notes
Applicants who are enrolled in doctoral or master’s programmes at the time of application submission are ineligible, unless the dissertation has been accepted, the degree is forthcoming, and field-specific requirements have been met.
Non-U.S. citizens may apply. The official FAQ states that applicants from around the world are encouraged to apply, and Harvard University typically sponsors J-1 scholar visas for Harvard Radcliffe Fellows.
Independent scholars, artists, and writers may also apply. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with an academic institution to be eligible.
Discover: Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship 2026 – 16-Week Online Program
Group Applications
The fellowship accepts group applications of no more than two individuals. If selected, both applicants take two fellowship spots, including two stipends and two offices.
Both group members must meet the eligibility requirements for their fields. Each member must register separately on the application portal and submit an individual application. They should also upload the same project proposal and explain the nature of the collaboration.
Required Application Materials
The application includes the following materials:
• Application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Project proposal
• Writing or work sample
• Three letters of recommendation
• Contact information for three references
All materials must be submitted through the online application portal. Applicants who are applying for the first time must register as new users, then select an application area. The listed application areas are Humanities and Social Sciences; Creative Arts, Journalism and Nonfiction; and Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Project Proposal and Work Sample
The project proposal must include a 150-word abstract. The full proposal may not exceed 1,400 words, including the abstract. It should be written in 12-point font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.
All application materials must be in English. Work sample requirements vary by field, so applicants should follow the specific instructions for their discipline.
Related opportunity on GrantForYouth: DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 at SDU
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed through a two-tier process.
• Experts in the relevant field review the application.
• A multidisciplinary committee selects the final class of fellows.
Applications are evaluated based on the quality and significance of the proposed project. Reviewers also consider the applicant’s intellectual and creative capacity, shown through a strong record of achievement or extraordinary promise.
Key Dates
• Fellowship Period: September 2027–May 2028
• Humanities, social sciences, nonfiction and journalism, and creative arts deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
• Science, engineering, and mathematics deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
• Result Notification: March 2027
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
Apply for 2027-2028 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program
