Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies: Academy Scholars Program

The Academy Scholars Program identifies and supports outstanding scholars at the start of their careers whose work combines disciplinary excellence in the Social Sciences or Law with a command of the language and history or culture of countries or regions outside of the United States or Canada. Academy Scholars are appointed for a two-year, in-residence, postdoctoral fellowship at The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, Harvard University. They receive substantial financial and research assistance to undertake sustained projects of research and/or acquire accessory training in their chosen fields and areas.

Applications open

1 Jun 2024

Last day for applications

20 Sep 2024
Learn more

Last day for applications

This is the last day on which applications will be accepted. Though conditions vary, we recommend submission by 5pm AEST to avoid disappointment.

Application type

Application required
How to apply

Benefit type

General allowance
Full benefit details

Citizenship requirements

Australian / domestic student
International student

Total value

at least $105,000

Applicable study areas

Education, teaching and training; Environment and natural resources; Historical, philosophical, political and social studies; Language, literature and cultural studies; Law, legal studies and criminology; Performing and visual arts, theatre, film and television

Number of scholarships awarded

Approximately 6

  • Eligibility & selection criteria

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • Have recently completed (within 2 years of August 1, 2025) or are nearing completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral program in the social sciences or law.

    The Academy Scholars Program is not a degree-granting program. If you have not recently completed or are not currently enrolled in a PhD or equivalent doctoral program in the social sciences or law you are not eligible to apply for the Academy Scholars Program. If you have completed a PhD program, the PhD completion date must be within three years of the application deadline.

    Predoctoral candidates must have finished all field research and be well into the writing stage of their dissertation at the time of application.

    For further information refer to the Academy Scholars Program website.

    Selection criteria

    The Selection Committee is looking for the most promising young scholars in the social sciences or law and are interested in how you intend to use the two years of the fellowship. In many cases, Academy Scholars intend to use the first year to prepare the dissertation for publication as a book or a series of articles and the second year for a new research project. If applicable, scholars should summarise their publication plans and future research plans.

  • Application process

    Applications are submitted online via the Harvard Academy website and need to include:

    - A cover letter which succinctly states the applicant's academic field, country or region of specialization, and proposed research topic
    - A curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé, including a list of publications
    - A research proposal (2500 word maximum), including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work
    - A copy of your PhD program transcript
    - Three letters of recommendation (uploaded through the online application)

    Further information is available at the Harvard Academy website or contact applicationinquiries@wcfia.harvard.edu

    Submit a scholarship application now

What are the benefits?

Postdoctoral Academy Scholars will receive an annual stipend of US$70,000. If selected before earning the PhD, the Scholars will receive an annual stipend of US$31,000 until awarded the PhD. This stipend is supplemented by funding for conference and research travel, research assistants, and health insurance coverage.

Academy Scholars are appointed for a two-year, in-residence, postdoctoral fellowship. The Senior Scholars, a distinguished group of senior Harvard University faculty members, act as mentors to the Academy Scholars to help them achieve their intellectual potential.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.