Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028

Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 Overview

The Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program gives established and emerging leaders in scholarship, science, writing, journalism and the arts protected time to pursue ambitious work within Harvard University's interdisciplinary research environment. The official 2027–2028 application is now available.

Fellows are expected to live in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May and participate actively in the fellowship community, including weekly talks, workshops and cohort activities. The Institute provides office or studio space in Byerly Hall and a full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow.

Eligibility by Applicant Area

Eligibility varies by the application area you choose. The official program does not use one universal academic threshold for all applicants.

• Humanities & Social Sciences: a doctorate or equivalent in the proposed area earned by December 2023 for the 2027–2028 cycle, plus either a published monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
• Science, Engineering & Mathematics: a doctorate in the proposed area earned by December 2023 and at least five refereed journal articles.
• Journalism: at least five years of professional journalism experience.
• Nonfiction: at least one published book, a book-length manuscript under contract, or at least three qualifying shorter published works.
• Fiction: at least one published book, a contracted book-length manuscript, or at least three qualifying shorter published works.
• Poetry: at least 20 poems or a poetry book published within the last five years, while working toward a manuscript.
• Visual Arts: at least five years as a professional artist, several curated group exhibitions and at least two professional solo exhibitions.
• Film & Video / Playwriting / Music Composition: applicants must demonstrate substantial independent professional achievement according to the field-specific criteria. A PhD or DMA is desirable but not required for music composition.

Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows from 1999 to the present are ineligible. Academics do not need tenure. The program describes its community as drawing applicants and fellows from Harvard, across the United States and around the world.

Funding, Benefits & Practical Costs

• $78,000 fellowship stipend.
• $5,000 additional project-expense allowance.
• Possible relocation, housing and childcare support for eligible fellows.
• Healthcare support where applicable.
• Private office or studio space in Byerly Hall.
• Full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow.
• Access to the Harvard Library system and University athletic facilities.
• Professional-development and engagement opportunities during the fellowship year.

Tax caveat: Harvard Radcliffe's financial-support guidance states that HRI payments are considered taxable income. Applicants relocating internationally should also budget carefully for Boston-area living costs, insurance and visa-related requirements even when additional support may be available.

IELTS, English Test & Application Fee

IELTS/TOEFL: the official fellowship application information does not list IELTS or TOEFL as a fellowship application requirement. This is a residential fellowship application, not admission to a Harvard degree program. Applicants should still be prepared to work and participate professionally in an English-language academic community.

Application fee: no application fee is listed on Harvard Radcliffe's official application-information page or fellowship portal. ScholarshipHubNow therefore reports this conservatively as “no fee listed on the official application pages” rather than inventing a fee policy.

How to Apply

1. Choose the application area that best matches your proposed project and professional or academic background: Humanities and Social Sciences; Creative Arts; Nonfiction and Journalism; or Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.
2. Create an account in the official Harvard Radcliffe online fellowship application portal.
3. Complete the application form and prepare the required CV, project proposal and work sample.
4. Enter the contact details of three references. The portal emails them directly so they can upload recommendation letters.
5. Confirm that your complete application, including recommendation letters, is submitted by the deadline for your application area.

Required Documents & Work Samples

Every application includes an application form, curriculum vitae, a 1,400-word project proposal with bibliography when appropriate, a writing or work sample, and contact information for three references.

• Humanities & Social Sciences: relevant writing, a published article or book chapter; maximum 40 pages.
• Science, Engineering & Mathematics: three published articles.
• Nonfiction: a recent book chapter, short story, manuscript or article, approximately 30 pages.
• Journalism: three substantive published articles, approximately 30 pages total; optional audiovisual work up to 15 minutes.
• Fiction: a recent book chapter, short story, manuscript or article, approximately 30 pages.
• Poetry: up to 10 poems.
• Playwriting: one play or section of a play, no more than 30 pages.
• Visual Arts: 12 images and, if applicable, up to three moving-image excerpts.
• Film & Video: up to 15 minutes of work via Vimeo or YouTube, using timestamps when the source is longer.
• Music Composition: one to three recent samples, normally accompanied by scores except for electronic or improvisational work.

Application checklist: do not leave references until the final day. The official portal states that the complete application, including recommendation letters, must be received by the relevant deadline.

Important Dates

• September 10, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time: humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism deadline.
• October 1, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time: science, engineering and mathematics deadline.
• March 2027: applicants are notified of selection results by email.
• September 2027–May 2028: fellowship year and required Cambridge/Boston residence period.

The application portal may display October 1 as the overall program deadline because that is the later STEM closing date. Applicants in the other areas should not rely on that later portal date; their deadline is September 10.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is strongest for applicants who already have a substantial record of independent achievement and a clearly defined project that benefits from protected time, Harvard resources and an interdisciplinary cohort. The selection process is two-tiered: expert reviewers assess applications first, followed by a multidisciplinary committee.

Harvard Radcliffe says applications are judged on the quality and significance of the proposed project and the applicant's intellectual or creative capacity. Collegiality and openness to cross-disciplinary conversation are also valued. A strong proposal should therefore explain not only what you will produce, but why the Radcliffe environment materially improves the project.

FAQs

How much funding does the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship provide?
Fellows receive a $78,000 stipend plus $5,000 for project expenses. Additional relocation, housing, childcare or healthcare support may be available to eligible fellows.

Is this a postdoctoral fellowship?
No. Harvard Radcliffe explicitly says the program is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship, although applicants may hold doctorates and come from different career stages.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
The official fellowship materials do not list IELTS or TOEFL as an application requirement. This should not be confused with English-language requirements for Harvard degree admissions.

Is there an application fee?
No application fee is listed on the official application-information page or fellowship portal.

Can current graduate students apply?
No. Applicants currently enrolled in a degree program are ineligible for this fellowship.

Do I need recommendation letters?
Yes. You provide three references, and the application system prompts them to upload letters. The complete application, including letters, is due by your field's deadline.

Can international applicants apply?
The Institute describes applicants and fellows as coming from the United States and around the world. Applicants should verify any immigration and J-visa requirements relevant to their circumstances after selection.

Do fellows have to live near Harvard?
Yes. Fellows must reside in the Cambridge/Boston area from September through May and participate actively in the fellowship community.

Last verified: September 7, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow independently verified the open status, two discipline-specific deadlines, eligibility rules, application materials, three-reference requirement, residency, stipend, project allowance and additional support against Harvard Radcliffe Institute's official application pages and application portal. Secondary opportunity listings were used only to understand common applicant questions and search-result gaps.