The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is one of the most prestigious fully funded residential fellowships in the world, offered by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Every year, this program brings together roughly 50 scholars, scientists, writers, artists, journalists, and public intellectuals from across the globe to spend a full academic year in Cambridge, Massachusetts, working on ambitious, original projects. Fellows gain access to Harvard’s extensive library system, research facilities, and an interdisciplinary community of thinkers, making it an unmatched environment for intellectual and creative growth.

For the 2027–2028 cycle, the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship continues its tradition of supporting bold, innovative work that engages audiences beyond academia. While the program does not limit eligibility to any single theme, it especially welcomes proposals connected to women, gender, and society, as well as projects drawing on the Schlesinger Library’s collections. Applicants are also encouraged to consider Radcliffe’s 2024–2029 focus area on academic freedom and connecting across difference. With a stipend of $78,000, an additional $5,000 in project funds, and a range of institutional benefits, the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship remains a top choice for accomplished professionals seeking a transformative year of funded work.

Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Summary

Eligibility for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

General Eligibility Criteria

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is open to individuals across career stages, and applicants do not need to hold tenure to apply. However, former Harvard Radcliffe fellows who held the fellowship from 1999 onward are not eligible to reapply. Eligibility requirements vary slightly depending on the applicant’s field:

• Journalism applicants need a minimum of five years of professional journalism experience.
• Nonfiction applicants need at least one published book, a signed contract for a book length manuscript, or three or more shorter published works longer than typical newspaper articles.
• Creative Arts applicants must apply under a specific discipline category such as film and video, visual arts, fiction, poetry, playwriting, or music composition.

Age and Academic Requirements

There is no strict age limit for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship, but academic qualifications are clearly defined by field:

• Humanities and Social Sciences applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree (PhD, MD, JD, DPhil, or DEd) in their project’s area, earned at least four years before the fellowship begins (by December 2023 for the 2027–2028 cycle), along with a published monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
• Science, Engineering, and Mathematics applicants must hold a doctorate in their project area earned at least four years before appointment, along with a minimum of five published articles in refereed journals.

Benefits of Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

Financial Benefits

Selected fellows receive substantial financial support throughout their fellowship year, including:

• A stipend of $78,000 for the academic year.
• An additional $5,000 project allowance to cover research or creative expenses.
• Eligibility for relocation, housing, and childcare support where needed.
• Access to healthcare support during the fellowship period.

Academic and Personal Benefits

Beyond financial support, the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship offers fellows a range of academic and personal advantages:

• A full-time Harvard appointment as a visiting fellow for the academic year.
• Dedicated office or studio space at the Radcliffe Institute.
• Full access to Harvard’s library system and University athletic facilities.
• Membership in a vibrant, interdisciplinary community of scholars, scientists, and artists.
• Regular professional development opportunities and engagement events with fellow cohort members.

Documents Required for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

Applicants to the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship must prepare the following materials for submission through the online application portal:

• A completed online application form.
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• A 1,400-word project proposal, including a bibliography where appropriate.
• A writing or work sample relevant to the proposed project.
• Contact information for three references, who will be emailed directly to upload their letters of recommendation.

How to Apply for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the official Radcliffe Institute application portal and register as a new user with your name, email address, and password.
2. Select the appropriate program area for your discipline, such as Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Nonfiction and Journalism, or Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.
3. Complete the online application form with your personal and professional details.
4. Upload your curriculum vitae, 1,400 word project proposal, and writing or work sample.
5. Enter contact details for three references so they can be prompted to submit letters of recommendation.
6. Review all materials carefully and submit your completed application before the relevant deadline.

Application Tips for Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

• Start your project proposal early, since the 1,400 word limit requires clear, concise writing that still conveys the ambition of your work.
• Choose references who know your work well and can speak specifically to the strength of your proposed project.
• Tailor your proposal to reflect how your work connects with Radcliffe’s interdisciplinary community, even if it does not fall under the Institute’s specific focus areas.
• Double-check your eligibility requirements for your specific field well before the deadline, since documentation requirements differ across disciplines.
• Submit your application a few days ahead of the deadline to avoid last minute technical issues with the portal.

Deadline for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 has two separate deadlines depending on your field of study. Applicants in the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, and nonfiction and journalism must submit their applications by September 10, 2026, at 5 PM ET. Applicants in science, engineering, and mathematics have a later deadline of October 1, 2026, at 5 PM ET. Applicants will be notified of selection results by email by the end of March 2027, and selected fellows will begin their residency in September 2027, continuing through May 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)