HARVARD UNIVERSITY - VILLA I TATTI, CENTER FOR ITALIAN RENAISSANCE STUDIES
Harvard University I Tatti Fellowships in Italy
full · phd
- ~10 fellowship tracksProgramme options
- 4 to 12 monthsFellowship duration
- Bequeathed to Harvard in 1959Villa I Tatti history
- Florence, ItalyLocation
- Accommodation and workspace includedOn-site support
- Open to all nationalitiesEligibility
At a glance
full
Funding
€60k
Max amount
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
All countries
Country
Harvard University - Villa I Tatti, Center for Italian Renaissance Studies
Provider
The Harvard University I Tatti Fellowships are fully funded postdoctoral fellowships hosted by Villa I Tatti, Harvard's Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, in Florence, Italy. Villa I Tatti was bequeathed to Harvard in 1959 by the art historian Bernard Berenson and has supported advanced Renaissance research ever since. The programme offers around 10 distinct fellowship tracks for the 2026/2027 cycle, with terms ranging from 4 to 12 months, each fully funded with a monthly stipend or salary support, accommodation and a research workspace at the villa, access to Harvard's libraries and digital archives, and travel funding for joint fellowships at partner institutions. The flagship I Tatti Fellowship runs 12 months for postdoctoral scholars working on any aspect of the Italian Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries), while shorter 4-to-6-month options include the Wallace, Berenson, Digital Humanities, Craig Hugh Smyth, and David and Julie Tobey Fellowships, plus joint fellowships with Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), the Warburg Institute (London), and the Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid). Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree by the time of application, and the fellowships are open to scholars of all nationalities. Deadlines fall between 15 October and 15 November 2026 depending on the track, with the main 12-month fellowship closing on 15 October 2026. Because stipend levels, the exact deadlines, and the slate of fellowships are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and dates on the official Villa I Tatti programmes page before applying.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend or salary — Fellows receive a monthly stipend or salary support; total fellowship value typically falls around ~EUR 30,000 to EUR 60,000 (est.) depending on the track and its 4-to-12-month length.
- Accommodation — On-site housing or accommodation support and a dedicated research workspace at Villa I Tatti in Florence.
- Library and archive access — Full access to Harvard's libraries, the I Tatti collections, and digital archives for Renaissance research.
- Travel funding — Travel support for joint fellowships at partner institutions such as Dumbarton Oaks, the Warburg Institute, and the Museo Nacional del Prado.
- Research community — Membership in an international community of Renaissance scholars, with networking, seminars, and collaboration opportunities.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official Villa I Tatti programmes page for the specific fellowship and deadline.
- Visit the official programmes page — Go to itatti.harvard.edu/programs and review the full slate of fellowship tracks and their individual deadlines.
- Choose your fellowship — Select the fellowship that matches your academic profile, research goals, and preferred duration (4 to 12 months).
- Prepare your documents — Assemble a detailed research proposal, CV, writing samples or published works, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit your application — Complete the online application and submit it before the relevant deadline, which falls between 15 October and 15 November 2026 depending on the track.
Eligibility
QualificationMust hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree by the time of application.
Research alignmentResearch projects must align with the Italian Renaissance, art history, and cultural-exchange themes supported by I Tatti.
NationalityOpen to international and domestic scholars from all countries.
Career stageSome tracks target early-career or mid-career researchers depending on the specific fellowship.
The flagship 12-month I Tatti Fellowship is for postdoctoral scholars studying any aspect of the Italian Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries), including cross-cultural dialogues between Italy and Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Joint fellowships require fellows to split their time between Florence and the partner institution.
Eligible countries
All countries
Deadlines
I Tatti Fellowship (12 months)~15 October 2026 (est.)
Short-term fellowships (4 to 6 months)~15 November 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are reviewed by selection committees on the originality and feasibility of the research proposal, the candidate's scholarly record and publications, the strength of writing samples and references, and the fit between the project and Villa I Tatti's research priorities in Renaissance studies and cultural exchange. Each fellowship track has its own committee and thematic focus.
Verified sources
- Villa I Tatti - Fellowships and Programsitatti.harvard.eduofficial
About the provider
Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, is located in Florence, Italy. Bequeathed to Harvard in 1959 by the art historian and connoisseur Bernard Berenson, it is one of the foremost institutes for advanced research on the Italian Renaissance, hosting fellows from around the world each year and maintaining major libraries, archives, and art collections.
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.
What is the Harvard University I Tatti Fellowship?
+
It is a fully funded postdoctoral fellowship programme for scholars researching the Italian Renaissance, art history, and cultural exchange at Harvard's Villa I Tatti in Florence, Italy.
Are the I Tatti Fellowships open to international scholars?
+
Yes. The fellowships are open to qualified applicants from all countries, both international and domestic.
What is the duration of the fellowships?
+
Fellowship terms range from 4 to 12 months depending on the selected track.
What financial support is provided?
+
Fellows receive a monthly stipend or salary, accommodation and a workspace at the villa, library and archive access, and travel funding for joint fellowships.
What qualifications do I need to apply?
+
You must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree by the time of application, with a research project aligned to I Tatti's themes.
Which fellowship tracks are available?
+
Tracks include the flagship 12-month I Tatti Fellowship plus the Wallace, Berenson, Digital Humanities, Craig Hugh Smyth, Tobey, and several joint fellowships with partner institutions.
What are the joint fellowships?
+
Joint fellowships pair I Tatti with Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), the Warburg Institute (London), or the Museo Nacional del Prado (Madrid); fellows split their time between Florence and the partner.
When are the application deadlines?
+
Deadlines fall between 15 October and 15 November 2026 depending on the track, with the 12-month fellowship closing on 15 October 2026.
What documents are required?
+
A detailed research proposal, CV, writing samples or published works, and letters of recommendation.
Where is the fellowship based?
+
At Villa I Tatti, Harvard's Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, in Florence, Italy.
How are applicants selected?
+
Selection committees assess the research proposal, scholarly record, writing samples, references, and fit with I Tatti's research priorities.
Where can I find the official application details?
+
All tracks, deadlines, and requirements are on the official Villa I Tatti programmes page; confirm current figures and dates there before applying.