The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027 funds 50 accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, journalists, public intellectuals, and artists from around the world to spend nine months at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, developing an ambitious independent project. Fellows receive a $78,000 stipend and an additional $5,000 for project expenses, with eligible fellows also receiving support for relocation, housing, childcare, and health insurance. Unlike a degree scholarship or an early-career postdoctoral position, Radcliffe is an in-residence fellowship for established professionals with a strong record of independent achievement, and fellows spend the year working on their own research or creative project within a multidisciplinary Harvard community. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Applications for the 2027–2028 fellowship are now open. The fellowship accepts proposals in the humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism, science, engineering, and mathematics. Radcliffe is particularly interested in innovative projects that address important social, scientific, cultural, or policy questions and can engage audiences beyond a single academic discipline.
The most important point to understand before applying is that this is not a standard postdoctoral fellowship. Current students are generally ineligible, and applicants in academic fields must normally have completed their doctorate at least four years before the fellowship begins. Selected fellows must live in the Cambridge or Boston area from September 2027 through May 2028 and participate actively in weekly talks, workshops, lunches, and other Radcliffe activities.
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Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Summary
- Level of Study: Non-degree research and creative fellowship (Training Scholarship)
- Institution: Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
- Study Destination: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Fields Supported: Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction, journalism, science, engineering, and mathematics
- Number of Fellowships: Approximately 50
- Program Period: 9 months
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Deadline
The application deadline depends on the applicant’s field:
- Humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism: September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
- Science, engineering and mathematics: October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
All three recommendation letters must also be uploaded by the applicable application deadline. Applicants should enter their referees’ details early because Radcliffe does not provide a separate extension for recommendation letters. Fellowship results will be communicated by email in March 2027.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Coverage
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship provides selected fellows with:
- A stipend of $78,000
- An additional $5,000 project expense allowance
- Housing and moving support for eligible fellows relocating to the Cambridge or Boston area
- Childcare funding for eligible fellows with accompanying children
- Healthcare support for eligible fellows
- A private office or studio in Byerly Hall at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute
- A full-time appointment as a Harvard visiting fellow
- Access to Harvard University libraries and athletic facilities
- Professional development and public engagement opportunities
- Funding for the hourly wages of Harvard undergraduate research partners, where required for the fellow’s project
The relocation, housing, childcare, and healthcare benefits depend on the fellow’s circumstances and should not be treated as automatic additions to the main stipend. Detailed financial arrangements are explained on the official financial support page.
Eligibility Criteria for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship
To qualify for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship, applicants must fulfil the following requirements:
- Required Language: English. All application documents must be submitted in English.
- Eligible Countries: All countries. International applicants are encouraged to apply, and Harvard University typically sponsors J-1 scholar visas for international fellows.
- Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of independent research, writing, artistic production, journalism, or professional achievement.
- Applicants currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral programme are normally ineligible. An applicant may be considered only when the dissertation has already been accepted, the degree is forthcoming, and all field-specific requirements have been met.
- Applicants do not need to hold a tenured academic position.
- Independent scholars, writers, and artists who are not affiliated with a university or other institution may apply.
- Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows selected from 1999 onward are not eligible to apply again.
Applicants must also meet the requirements for their chosen field:
Humanities and Social Sciences
Applicants must:
- Have received a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in the area of the proposed project by December 2023
- Have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections
Relevant terminal degrees may include a PhD, MD, JD, DPhil, or DEd.
Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Applicants must:
- Have received a doctorate in the area of the proposed project by December 2023
- Have published at least five articles in refereed journals
Applicants proposing laboratory-based work with a Boston-area institution must contact a potential laboratory host before applying. One of the three recommendation letters must then come from the proposed host laboratory.
Nonfiction and Journalism
Journalism applicants must have at least five years of professional experience as a journalist.
Nonfiction applicants must have at least one of the following:
- One or more published books
- A contract for a book-length manuscript
- At least three published shorter works that are more substantial than newspaper articles
Creative Arts
Requirements differ according to the discipline:
- Film and Video: A substantial body of independent work shown through festivals, galleries, museums, television, or comparable professional platforms
- Visual Arts: At least five years of professional work, participation in several curated group exhibitions, and at least two professional solo exhibitions
- Fiction: A published book, a book contract, or at least three substantial shorter published works
- Poetry: At least 20 poems or a poetry book published during the previous five years, with a manuscript currently in progress
- Playwriting: A significant body of work, normally including plays that have been produced or are under option
- Music Composition: Evidence of professional achievement and recent performances; a PhD or DMA is desirable but not compulsory
Applicants can review the complete list of supported subjects on the official disciplines page.
How to Apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
Please follow the instructions below to apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship:
(1) First, read the official eligibility requirements for your field. Do not begin with the project proposal until you have confirmed that your doctorate date, publication record, professional experience, or artistic achievements meet the requirements for the programme area you intend to select.
(2) Create a new account through the Harvard Radcliffe online application portal. Enter your name, email address, mailing address, and password, and then select the application area that best matches your project and professional background.
(3) Prepare a 1,400-word project proposal, including a 150-word abstract that can be understood by readers outside your field. The proposal should explain the project, its importance, its intellectual or creative context, the theory and methodology you will use, and the contribution it could make to your field or society.
Radcliffe first sends applications to specialists in the applicant’s field, but finalists are reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee. A technically strong proposal can therefore still fail if people outside the discipline cannot understand why the project matters.
(4) Prepare your curriculum vitae and work sample. Your CV must not exceed six pages and should focus on your most significant publications, exhibitions, awards, professional achievements, and other work relevant to the proposed project. You can use our guide on how to write an academic CV for a scholarship to organise it clearly.
(5) Enter the contact details of three recommenders. Each referee will receive an email with instructions for uploading the letter directly to the portal. Choose people who can discuss the strength of your proposed project, your record of achievement, and your ability to work collegially in an interdisciplinary community. Our guide on requesting a strong recommendation letter can help you approach referees properly.
(6) Upload all application materials and submit the application before the deadline for your field. Recommendation letters must be received by the same deadline, so monitor their status through the “Pending Letter of Recommendation” section of the portal rather than assuming they have been submitted.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by email in March 2027. Radcliffe uses a two-stage selection process: specialists first assess applications in the relevant discipline, after which a multidisciplinary committee selects the final fellowship cohort.
Documents Required for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship
Applicants must submit:
- Completed online application form
- Curriculum vitae of no more than six pages
- Project proposal of no more than 1,400 words, including a 150-word abstract
- Bibliography, where appropriate
- Writing, publication, artistic, or professional work sample appropriate to the selected field
- Contact details of three referees
- Three letters of recommendation submitted directly by the referees
The work sample depends on the application area:
- Humanities and social sciences applicants may submit relevant unpublished writing or a published article or book chapter of up to 40 pages.
- Science, engineering, and mathematics applicants must submit three published articles.
- Nonfiction and fiction applicants should normally submit approximately 30 pages of relevant work.
- Journalism applicants must submit three substantial published articles and may add up to 15 minutes of audio or video work.
- Poetry applicants may submit up to 10 poems.
- Playwriting applicants may submit one play or an extract of no more than 30 pages.
- Visual arts applicants must submit 12 images and may include up to three moving-image excerpts.
- Film and video applicants may submit up to 15 minutes of work.
- Music composition applicants may submit one to three recent compositions, normally accompanied by written scores.
All written application documents must be in English. Full formatting and work-sample instructions are available on the official application materials page.
Website
To learn more about the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship and submit your application, please visit the official pages:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship open to international applicants?
Yes. Applicants from every country may apply, and international applicants do not need to be studying or working in the United States. Harvard University typically sponsors J-1 scholar visas for international fellows who are selected.
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship a postdoctoral fellowship?
No. Radcliffe specifically states that the programme is not intended to serve as a postdoctoral fellowship. Applicants in academic fields are generally expected to have completed their doctorate at least four years before the fellowship appointment and to have already developed a strong publication record.
Do I need to work at a university to apply?
No. Independent scholars, artists, journalists, and writers may apply without being employed by or affiliated with a university. Academics are also not required to hold tenure.
Can I apply while completing my PhD?
Applicants enrolled in a doctoral or master’s programme at the time of application are generally ineligible. An exception may apply when the dissertation has already been accepted, the degree is formally forthcoming, and the applicant meets all other requirements for the chosen field.
Can two people apply with a joint project?
Yes. Radcliffe accepts group applications involving no more than two people. Each applicant must meet the eligibility criteria, create a separate portal account, submit an individual application, CV, and work sample, and upload the same jointly prepared project proposal. If selected, the two applicants occupy two fellowship places, and each receives a stipend and office.
Do selected fellows have to relocate to Harvard?
Yes. Fellows must live in the Cambridge or Boston area from September 2027 through May 2028. The programme is built around regular interaction between fellows, including weekly presentations, workshops, lunches, and Institute events, so it cannot be completed remotely.
