The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028 is a prestigious fellowship opportunity for accomplished scholars, scientists, writers, journalists, artists, and other professionals who want dedicated time to pursue an ambitious research, creative, or intellectual project.
Hosted by the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, the fellowship brings together a small group of outstanding individuals from different disciplines and backgrounds. Fellows spend an academic year in residence at Harvard, where they can focus on their proposed projects while benefiting from an interdisciplinary intellectual community.
The program is highly competitive and is intended for applicants with established records of achievement or exceptional promise in their respective fields.
About the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship
The Radcliffe Fellowship supports approximately 50 fellows each year across areas including:
– Humanities
– Social sciences
– Sciences
– Engineering
– Mathematics
– Creative arts
– Journalism
– Nonfiction
– Other interdisciplinary areas
Successful applicants are expected to develop an individual project during the fellowship year. Projects may include books, research studies, films, artistic works, creative projects, or other substantial intellectual contributions.
The fellowship is not primarily designed as a conventional postgraduate scholarship. It is a residential fellowship for established professionals, scholars, researchers, artists, writers and other accomplished individuals.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, Radcliffe is particularly interested in innovative projects addressing important social, scientific and policy questions. Proposals related to women, gender and society, academic freedom, connecting across differences and related areas are also encouraged.
Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship 2027–2028 Benefits
The fellowship provides significant financial and professional support to successful applicants.
1. $78,000 Stipend
Radcliffe fellows receive a stipend of $78,000 for the fellowship year.
An additional $5,000 project expense allowance is also provided to support expenses connected with the fellow’s proposed project.
2. Housing and Relocation Support
Eligible fellows may receive additional financial assistance for relocation and housing when moving to the Boston/Cambridge area for the fellowship.
Additional support may also be available for eligible dependent family members.
3. Childcare Support
Eligible fellows may receive assistance with childcare expenses, helping fellows with family responsibilities participate fully in the program.
4. Healthcare Support
Healthcare assistance may be available to fellows depending on their circumstances.
5. Harvard Facilities
Fellows receive office or studio space at Byerly Hall in Radcliffe Yard.
They also receive access to Harvard resources, including the Harvard Library system and Harvard University athletic facilities.
6. Professional Development
The fellowship provides opportunities to interact with other scholars, artists, scientists, writers and practitioners.
Fellows participate in presentations, discussions, workshops and other activities designed to encourage interdisciplinary exchange.
7. One-Year Fellowship Experience
The program provides dedicated time away from many normal professional responsibilities so fellows can concentrate on their proposed projects.
The fellowship generally runs from September through May, and fellows are expected to live in the Cambridge/Boston area during the fellowship period.
Who Can Apply?
The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is open to applicants from around the world.
However, applicants must satisfy the requirements for their particular discipline.
Applicants are considered across different career stages, and university tenure is not required for academics.
People currently enrolled in a degree program are generally not eligible for the main Radcliffe Fellowship.
Former Harvard Radcliffe fellows from 1999 onward are also ineligible for the main fellowship.
Eligibility Requirements
Because Radcliffe accepts applications across several disciplines, eligibility requirements differ according to the applicant’s field.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Applicants in the humanities and social sciences must generally:
– Hold a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in the relevant field.
– Have received the doctorate at least four years before the fellowship appointment.
– For the 2027–2028 fellowship, the doctorate must generally have been awarded by December 2023.
– Have published a monograph or at least two articles in refereed journals or edited collections.
Appropriate terminal degrees can include PhD, MD, JD, DPhil and DEd, depending on the proposed project.
Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Applicants in science, engineering and mathematics generally need to:
– Hold a doctorate in the field relevant to the proposed project.
– Have received the doctorate at least four years before the fellowship appointment.
– Have received the doctorate by December 2023 for the 2027–2028 cycle.
– Have published at least five articles in refereed journals.
Radcliffe notes that successful science, engineering and mathematics applicants often have considerably more publications.
Journalism
Applicants applying under journalism must generally have:
– At least five years of professional journalism experience.
– A strong professional record demonstrating achievement in journalism.
Nonfiction
Nonfiction applicants must generally have at least one of the following:
– One or more published books;
– A contract for publication of a book-length manuscript; or
– At least three published shorter works longer than ordinary newspaper articles.
Creative Arts
Requirements vary depending on the creative discipline.
For example, visual artists generally need a substantial professional record, including several curated group exhibitions and at least two professional solo exhibitions.
Film and video applicants need a significant body of independent work.
Fiction applicants need a published book, a contract for a book-length manuscript, or multiple qualifying published shorter works.
Poetry applicants generally need at least 20 published poems or a published book of poetry during the specified period and should be working toward completing a manuscript.
Playwriting and music composition applicants are assessed based on the strength and professional quality of their work.
Application Materials
Applicants should prepare their materials carefully because the fellowship is extremely competitive.
The main application requires:
– Completed application form
– Curriculum vitae
– Approximately 1,400-word project proposal
– Bibliography where appropriate
– Writing or work sample
– Contact information for three references
– Recommendation letters from the selected referees
All application materials must be submitted through the designated online application system.
The work sample requirements vary by discipline.
For example, humanities and social science applicants can generally submit relevant completed writing, while science, engineering and mathematics applicants are expected to submit published research articles.
Creative applicants may need to provide artistic portfolios, manuscripts, videos, poems, plays, compositions or other representative work depending on their discipline.
What Should the Project Proposal Contain?
The project proposal is one of the most important parts of the application.
Applicants should clearly explain:
– What they intend to accomplish during the fellowship.
– Why the project is important.
– The problem or question being addressed.
– The methodology or approach they will use.
– What makes the project original.
– Why the project is appropriate for Radcliffe.
– The expected contribution to the field or wider society.
– How the project can benefit from an interdisciplinary environment.
Applicants should avoid making the proposal unnecessarily complicated.
A strong proposal should allow reviewers to understand the project, its significance and its potential contribution without requiring specialist knowledge outside the applicant’s field.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Radcliffe uses a competitive review process.
Applications are first evaluated by experts with relevant disciplinary knowledge. They then proceed to a multidisciplinary selection process.
Reviewers consider factors such as:
– Quality of the proposed project
– Significance of the project
– Originality
– Applicant’s intellectual or creative ability
– Previous achievements
– Potential for future contributions
– Ability to contribute to an interdisciplinary community
– Overall strength of the application
The quality of the project is therefore just as important as the applicant’s previous accomplishments.
2027–2028 Application Deadline
There are different deadlines depending on the application area.
Humanities, Social Sciences, Creative Arts, Nonfiction and Journalism
Deadline: September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications because recommendation letters and supporting materials may require additional time.
How to Apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship
Applicants can follow these general steps:
Step 1: Determine Your Application Area
Identify the discipline that best matches your proposed project and professional background.
Step 2: Check the Eligibility Requirements
Carefully review the requirements for your specific field before beginning the application.
Step 3: Develop Your Project
Create a clear, original and achievable project that can realistically be advanced during the fellowship year.
Step 4: Prepare Your CV
Your CV should highlight your strongest academic, professional, artistic or research achievements.
Include major publications, exhibitions, awards, research projects, professional appointments and other achievements relevant to your application.
Step 5: Prepare the Project Proposal
Write a focused proposal that explains the importance and originality of your project.
Step 6: Select Your Referees
Choose three people who know your work well and can provide strong recommendations.
Give them sufficient time to prepare their letters.
Step 7: Prepare Your Work Sample
Choose work that demonstrates your ability and supports the quality of your proposed project.
Step 8: Submit Before the Deadline
Complete the online application and make sure all required supporting materials are submitted before the appropriate deadline.
Important Tips for Applicants
Because the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship is highly competitive, applicants should take the following steps seriously:
Start early: Do not wait until the deadline to begin your application.
Focus on originality: Radcliffe looks for ambitious and meaningful projects rather than ordinary extensions of routine work.
Explain the importance of your project: Reviewers should quickly understand why the project matters.
Make your proposal accessible: The fellowship is interdisciplinary, so avoid excessive technical language where possible.
Use a strong work sample: Your sample should demonstrate the quality of your scholarship, writing or creative work.
Choose strong referees: Select people who can provide specific evidence of your abilities and achievements.
Proofread carefully: Errors in your proposal or application can weaken an otherwise strong submission.
Is the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Fully Funded?
The fellowship provides substantial financial support, but applicants should understand what the funding covers rather than simply describing it as a conventional “fully funded scholarship.”
For the current fellowship structure, fellows receive a $78,000 stipend plus $5,000 for project expenses, with potential additional assistance for relocation, housing, childcare and healthcare depending on eligibility.
The program also provides workspace and access to Harvard facilities.
Applicants should review the applicable financial-support terms for their fellowship year before making financial or relocation decisions.
Why Apply for the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship?
The fellowship can be valuable for applicants who need dedicated time and an intellectually stimulating environment to complete a major project.
Major advantages include:
– Financial support for the fellowship year
– Dedicated workspace
– Access to Harvard resources
– Interaction with leading scholars and creative professionals
– Interdisciplinary collaboration
– Professional development opportunities
– Opportunity to focus intensively on a major project
– International academic and professional exposure
– Membership in a prestigious fellowship community
Conclusion
(Apply Now) The Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship Program 2027–2028 is an outstanding opportunity for accomplished scholars, researchers, writers, journalists, artists and other professionals seeking dedicated time to pursue an ambitious project.
The fellowship is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection. Applicants should therefore focus on presenting a compelling project, a strong record of achievement and a clear explanation of why their work would benefit from the Radcliffe environment.
For the current cycle, applicants in humanities, social sciences, creative arts, nonfiction and journalism must submit their applications by September 10, 2026, while applicants in science, engineering and mathematics have until October 1, 2026.
Those interested should begin preparing their proposal, CV, work samples and recommendation letters well before the applicable deadline.