INTRODUCTION

This program is open to recent PhD recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences.

The Academy Scholars Program of The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies identifies and supports outstanding scholars at the start of their academic careers whose work combines excellence in a social science discipline with a command of the language and knowledge or expertise of countries or regions outside of the United States or Canada. Their scholarship should span traditional disciplinary divisions and elucidate comparative, transnational, or domestic issues, past or present.

ELIGIBILITY

These awards are open to recipients of PhD or comparable doctoral degrees (within two years of the August 1, 2024, start date) and advanced doctoral candidates in the social sciences. Scholars nearing dissertation completion must be able to submit degree conferral documentation issued by their university registrar’s office by June 30, 2024, for an August 1, 2024, start date. Individuals who hold or have completed another Harvard postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible to apply.

STIPEND

Each year, five or six Academy Scholars are named for two-year in-residence appointments with an annual stipend of $75,000, with the two years to be completed within a three-year window. Year 1 of the fellowship must be taken up no later than the fall immediately following the postdoctoral fellowship offer. Delays or deferrals in the start of Year 1 are not permitted. Between Years 1 and 2, Academy Scholars may apply for a one-time leave (up to 12 months), either to accept or to continue with a tenure-track teaching appointment but for no other reason. Academy Scholars may not accept other sources of funding, awards, or obligations during their appointment.

HOW TO APPLY

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline of September 22, 2023. We do not accept late applications.

The completed application will include:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV); including list of publications
  • Research proposal (2000 words maximum); including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work
  • One scholarly writing sample (e.g., PhD dissertation chapter or single-authored peer-reviewed academic journal article; 50 pages maximum; in English)
  • A copy of your PhD program transcript
  • Three letters of recommendation (uploaded to the online application directly and confidentially by the recommender by September 22, 2023)

All parts of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, are submitted online as pdf documents. Access the online application through the homepage of The Harvard Academy’s website by clicking on the APPLY ONLINE button.

All materials must be received by September 22, 2023. The selection process begins immediately thereafter. Applicants whose materials are incomplete are at a disadvantage when considered by the Selection Committee. Announcement of the awards will be made in December 2023.

Questions should be emailed to: applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu.