Applications are currently open for the Harvard University Environmental Fellows Program 2027, a two-year postdoctoral fellowship designed for recent doctorate recipients interested in tackling complex environmental challenges. The programme welcomes qualified applicants from around the world and accepts research proposals from a broad range of academic disciplines.
The programme gives selected fellows the opportunity to conduct independent research at Harvard University while working closely with faculty members from across the University’s schools and departments. For the 2027 cohort, the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) expects to award approximately five fellowships. Successful applicants will receive a $92,000 annual salary, health insurance eligibility, relocation assistance and an annual professional allowance.
SUMMARY
- Fellowship Sponsor(s): Harvard Center for the Environment
- Host Institution(s): Harvard University
- Funding Amount: $92,000 per year
- Number of Awards: 6 slots
- Study Level: Post Doctoral
- Nationality: All Nationalities
Program Overview
The Environmental Fellows Program was established by the Harvard University Center for the Environment to enable recent doctorate recipients to use Harvard’s academic and research resources to address important environmental issues.
Selected fellows spend two years at Harvard University, working with a Harvard faculty member who serves as their host and mentor.
The programme encourages connections across different disciplines and schools within Harvard. Research proposals may therefore come from fields including:
- Environmental and natural sciences
- Engineering
- Economics
- Law
- Government and public policy
- Public health
- Medicine
- Architecture and design
- Social sciences
- Arts and humanities
Interdisciplinary research is encouraged but is not mandatory. Applicants proposing strong environmental research within a single discipline are also eligible.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027, applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must hold a doctorate or comparable terminal degree awarded between May 2023 and August 2027.
- Candidates may have obtained their degree from any university in the world.
- International applicants and non-US citizens are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must demonstrate experience conducting scholarly research.
- Candidates must secure a commitment from at least one eligible Harvard faculty member who will serve as their host and mentor.
- The proposed research should address an environmental issue and represent an independent direction of research beyond the applicant’s previous doctoral work.
- Applicants must be prepared to work at Harvard for the full two-year fellowship period.
- Fellows are required to reside in the Cambridge area during the programme.
- Applicants should have sufficient English proficiency to undertake their research and participate effectively in the Harvard academic environment.
Candidates who have not officially received their doctoral diploma by the start of the fellowship may still qualify, provided they have completed all requirements for the degree and can obtain appropriate confirmation from their graduate school or department.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful Environmental Fellows will receive:
- $92,000 annual salary
- Funding for two years
- Eligibility for Harvard employee health insurance
- Up to $2,500 reimbursement for relocation expenses
- $2,500 per year for travel and other professional expenses
- Access to Harvard University’s academic and research resources
- Research mentorship from a Harvard faculty member
- Opportunities to collaborate with researchers across Harvard’s schools and departments
- Participation in the Environmental Fellows academic community and co-curricular activities.
Check Also: James Madison Graduate Fellowships in USA ($24,000 per Annum)
How to Apply
Applications for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program are submitted online. Applicants must also secure a Harvard faculty member who will serve as their host and mentor.
Interested applicants should:
- Prepare the required research proposal describing the environmental research they intend to undertake at Harvard.
- Identify and contact an eligible Harvard faculty member who is willing to serve as the faculty host.
- Prepare the required application materials, including the CV and other information requested in the online application.
- Arrange for the required recommendation letters to be submitted.
- Ensure the Harvard faculty host submits the required host letter of support.
- Complete and submit the online application by December 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.
- Ensure all recommendation and host letters are received by stipulated deadline.
Applicants are encouraged to contact potential faculty hosts early enough to complete the application before the deadline.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
