RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship
full · phd
- USD 78,000 stipendFellowship award
- ~50 fellowships / yearAnnual awards
- USD 5,000 project fundsProject expenses
- One full academic yearDuration
- All nationalitiesWho can apply
- United StatesWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€72k
Max amount
Oct 1, 2026
Deadline
All nationalities
Country
Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
Provider
The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship is a residential year of advanced study at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University in the United States. The programme awards around 50 fellowships each year to scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists, who spend a full academic year on a focused project with access to Harvard's resources and the community in Radcliffe Yard. The award package centres on a stipend of USD 78,000, plus USD 5,000 for project-related expenses, and offers relocation support, housing assistance, a childcare fund for fellows with children, and healthcare assistance. Fellowships span the sciences, social sciences, humanities and creative arts, with encouraged themes including women, gender and society, climate change, academic freedom and political polarisation. Science, engineering and mathematics applicants must hold a doctorate earned at least 2 years before the start date and have at least 5 refereed publications. Former fellows from 1999 to the present cannot reapply, and group applications of up to 2 people are allowed. Because award amounts and deadlines are set each cycle, confirm the current figures and the application deadline on the official Radcliffe Institute fellowship page before applying.
What's covered
- Fellowship stipend — A stipend of USD 78,000 for the fellowship year to support the fellow while they pursue a dedicated project.
- Project expenses — An additional USD 5,000 allocated for project-related expenses such as research materials and activities.
- Relocation support — Support toward the cost of relocating to the fellowship location in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Housing assistance — Housing assistance to help fellows secure suitable accommodation during the residential year.
- Childcare fund — A childcare fund worth additional support (estimated up to ~USD 5,000 est. depending on need) to help fellows with children meet childcare costs.
- Healthcare assistance — Healthcare assistance providing medical support and services during the fellowship.
How to apply
Applicants assess their eligibility, gather materials including a research proposal, and submit the application with recommendations by the field-specific deadline.
- Assess your eligibility — Review the criteria for your field, including the doctoral and publication requirements for STEM, and confirm you qualify.
- Gather your materials — Prepare a personal statement, a detailed research proposal, a comprehensive CV, letters of recommendation and any field-specific supporting materials.
- Tailor your application — Emphasise your most relevant accomplishments, address all field-specific and general requirements, and show how you will contribute to the Radcliffe community.
- Proofread your application — Carefully review every component to ensure there are no errors or omissions before submission.
- Submit by the deadline — Submit the complete application, including letters of recommendation, through the official Radcliffe portal by the field deadline.
Eligibility
Open disciplinesOpen to scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists of all nationalities; academic affiliation is not required.
Doctoral requirement (STEM)Science, engineering and mathematics applicants must have received their doctorate in the proposed field at least 2 years before the start date.
Publication requirement (STEM)STEM applicants must have published at least 5 articles in refereed journals; most have considerably more.
Group applicationsGroup applications of no more than 2 people are allowed if both meet the criteria and propose to work on the same project.
Former fellowsIndividuals who have been Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 to the present are ineligible to reapply.
Harvard generally supports J-1 scholar visas for international fellows, and independent scholars and artists not affiliated with an institution are encouraged to apply.
Eligible countries
All nationalities
Deadlines
STEM 2026/2027~1 October 2026 (est.)
Humanities and arts 2027/2028~Autumn 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is based on demonstrated excellence, creativity and the potential for transformative impact on the applicant's field and on society. The Radcliffe Institute is committed to diversity across disciplines, career stages and backgrounds, and proposals aligned with themes such as women, gender and society, climate change, academic freedom and political polarisation are encouraged.
Verified sources
- Radcliffe Fellowship Program - Harvard Radcliffe Instituteradcliffe.harvard.eduofficial
- Radcliffe Fellowship applications - Harvard Radcliffe Instituteradcliffe.harvard.eduofficial
About the provider
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is one of the world's interdisciplinary centres for advanced study, drawing fellows from the sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts. It hosts a residential fellowship community in Radcliffe Yard at the heart of Harvard's campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who runs the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship?
+
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University runs the programme in the United States.
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
+
Around 50 fellowships are awarded annually to scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals and artists.
How much is the fellowship worth?
+
A stipend of USD 78,000, plus USD 5,000 for project-related expenses, along with relocation, housing, childcare and healthcare support.
How long is the fellowship?
+
It is a residential fellowship lasting one full academic year at Radcliffe Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Who can apply?
+
Scholars, scientists, writers, public intellectuals and artists of all nationalities; academic affiliation is not required.
What are the requirements for STEM applicants?
+
A doctorate in the proposed field earned at least 2 years before the start date and at least 5 articles published in refereed journals.
Can independent scholars and artists apply?
+
Yes. Independent scholars and artists not affiliated with an institution are encouraged to apply.
Are group applications allowed?
+
Yes, for no more than 2 people working on the same project, where both meet the eligibility criteria and each receives an individual stipend.
Can former Radcliffe Fellows reapply?
+
No. Individuals who have been Harvard Radcliffe Fellows from 1999 to the present are ineligible to apply.
What documents are needed?
+
A personal statement, research proposal, CV, letters of recommendation and any field-specific supporting materials.
Does Harvard support visas for international fellows?
+
Yes. Harvard generally supports J-1 scholar visas for international fellows.
Where can I confirm current dates and amounts?
+
On the official Radcliffe Institute fellowship page, which publishes current award amounts and the field-specific deadlines.