The Harvard University Academy Scholars Program for Ph.D. & Doctoral Candidates applications are welcome from qualified persons without regard to nationality, gender, or race.
On this page, we are going to walk you through how to apply for Harvard University Academy Scholars Program for Ph.D. and doctoral candidates as the Academy Scholars Program aims to support outstanding scholars at the start of their careers whose work combines disciplinary excellence in the social sciences or law.
The Harvard University Academy Scholarship Program may elucidate domestic, comparative, or transnational issues, past or present.
About Academy Scholars Program
The Academy Scholars are a select community of individuals with resourcefulness, initiative, curiosity, and originality, whose work in cultures or regions outside of the US or Canada shows promise as a foundation for exceptional careers in major universities or international institutions.
Academy Scholars are appointed for a two-year, in-residence, postdoctoral fellowship at
- The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
Those who apply for Harvard University Academy Scholars Program and got selected receive substantial financial and research assistance to undertake sustained projects of research and/or acquire accessory training in their chosen fields and areas.
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The Senior Scholars, a distinguished group of senior Harvard University faculty members, act as mentors to the Academy Scholars to help them achieve their intellectual potential.
Harvard University Academy Scholars Program Eligibility
- The competition for these awards is open only to recent Ph.D. (or comparable professional school degree) recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences or law.
- Those still pursuing a Ph.D. should have completed their routine training and be well along in the writing of their theses before applying to become Academy Scholars. If you have completed a PhD program, the PhD completion date must be within three years of the October 1 Harvard University Academy Scholars Program application deadline.
- For applicants applying for the October 1, 2021 deadline, you must have completed your PhD or equivalent after September 30, 2018.
- The Selection Committee considers all applicants in one applicant pool.
Harvard University Academy Scholars Program Benefits
Each year, four to six Academy Scholars are named for two-year appointments. Academy Scholars are expected to reside in the Cambridge/Boston area for the duration of their appointments unless traveling for pre-approved research purposes.
Postdoctoral Academy Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $70,000. If selected before earning the PhD, the Scholars will receive an annual stipend of $35,000 until awarded the PhD. This stipend is supplemented by funding for conference and research travel, research assistants, and health insurance coverage. Some teaching is permitted but not required.
What is the Application Process for the Harvard Academy Program?
All application materials need to be submitted by the deadline of October 1. We do not accept late applications.
The completed application will include:
- Cover letter which succinctly states the applicant’s academic field, country or region of specialization, and proposed research topic
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé; including a list of publications
- Research proposal (2500 word maximum); including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work
- A copy of your Ph.D. program transcript
- Three letters of recommendation (uploaded through the online application)
- Letters should be addressed to the “Selection Committee.”
- Letters of recommendation need to be uploaded by the deadline of October 1.
All parts of the Harvard University Academy Scholars Program application, including the three letters of recommendation, are submitted online as pdf documents. To access the Harvard University Academy Program online application, click on the APPLY ONLINE button.
NOTE: Questions should be emailed to: applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu.
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What Fields of Study are Eligible for the Harvard University Academy Scholars Program?
Accordingly, The Harvard Academy looks for outstanding applicants in PhD or equivalent programs or with PhD or equivalent degrees in the following disciplines:
Accepted Fields of Study
- Africa Studies
- Anthropology
- Asia Studies
- Central Asia Studies
- East Asian Languages and Civilizations
- Economics
- Eastern Europe Studies
- Ethnic Studies
- Geography
- Government
- History
- History of Science—outside of the US or Canada
- Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
- International Relations
- Latin American and Iberian Studies
- Law
- Middle East Studies
- Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
- Political Economy and Government
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Russia Studies
- Slavic Languages and Civilization
- Social Policy
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- South Asia Studies
- Southeast Asia Studies
- Ukraine Studies
- Western Europe Studies
- Women, Gender, & Sexuality—outside of the US or Canada
Fields of Study That Are Not Accepted
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
- Anything related to the US or Canada
- Archeology
- Architecture
- Art History
- Business
- Classics
- Global Health
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Medieval Studies
- Musicology
- Philosophy
- Public Administration
- Religion
- Sanskrit and Indian Studies
- Social Work
- Urban Studies
Harvard University Academy Scholars Program Application Deadline
Begin Accepting Applications Date:
6/01/2021
Deadline Date (EST Time Zone):
10/01/2021 11:59 PM
Summary: The 2021/2022 Harvard University Academy Scholars Program application season opened on June 1, 2021. The deadline is October 1, 202
