Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2026 | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

Harvard University announces the opening of applications for the Environmental Fellows Program for the 2026 cycle. This program is dedicated to researchers who have recently obtained their doctoral degree and wish to advance their research on environmental issues in collaboration with Harvard faculty members.

The Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) created this program to enable PhD holders to make use of Harvard’s outstanding resources in addressing complex environmental challenges.

The program spans two years, during which fellows work with faculty members in any Harvard school or department, fostering cross-disciplinary research connections.

Fellowship Details

Duration: Two years.
Number of fellowships available: Approximately 5 fellowships for the 2026 cohort.
Residency: Fellows must reside in the Cambridge, MA area for the full duration of the fellowship.
Application deadline: December 1, 2025 (5:00 PM EST).
Deadline for host and recommendation letters: December 10, 2025.
Notification of results: Late January 2026.
Start date: Between July and September 2026 (with limited flexibility).

Funding Provided

Annual salary: $90,000 USD.
Health insurance: Included in employment benefits.
Relocation allowance: Up to $2,500 for moving expenses.
Annual allowance: $2,500 for travel and professional development expenses.
Visa support provided for International applicants outside of the USA.

Additional Program Benefits

Co-curricular program bringing fellows together with faculty in bi-weekly dinners.
Opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement, fostering a vibrant academic community.
Support for fieldwork trips during the summer or January recess.

Who Can Apply?

Holders of a PhD (or equivalent terminal degree) awarded between May 2022 and August 2026.
Open to all disciplines, including sciences, economics, law, public policy, public health, medicine, design, humanities, and more.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizens) are eligible, with visa support provided.
Applicants must demonstrate experience in scholarly research.
Harvard graduates or current Harvard postdocs are eligible, provided their proposed research is clearly distinct from their doctoral work or ongoing projects.

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Program Requirements

Full-time commitment to Harvard for the entire two-year fellowship.
Each applicant must secure a Harvard faculty host who will provide academic supervision and office or lab space.
Faculty may not host more than one Environmental Fellow at a time.
Faculty not eligible to host fellows in 2026:
- Paul Moorcroft
- Zhiming Kuang
- Caroline Buckee
- Satchit Balsari
Proposed research must be independent from the applicant’s PhD and represent a new line of inquiry addressing environmental issues.

Selection Process

Evaluation of academic and professional achievements.
Careful review of the research proposal by a HUCE faculty committee.
Relevance of the proposed project to addressing environmental challenges.
Assessment of the candidate’s intellectual potential and research capacity.
Ensuring diversity in disciplines, skills, and backgrounds among selected fellows.
Selected applicants may be invited for a video interview to discuss their proposal.

Required Documents

Application form submitted via the official program portal.
Updated CV highlighting academic and research experience.
Independent research proposal (maximum 5 pages) including:
- Research objectives.
- Methodology.
- Contribution to environmental issues.
- Distinction from PhD research and host’s ongoing work.
Host faculty support letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining commitment to mentoring and providing resources.
Three recommendation letters from academic or research supervisors.
Proof of completion of PhD requirements (if degree not yet conferred).

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How to Apply

Applicants must prepare all required documents and submit the application by December 1, 2025 (5:00 PM EST). Host faculty letters and recommendation letters must be submitted no later than December 10, 2025 (ten days after the application deadline).

Main Application Steps:

Prepare the research proposal: Develop an independent proposal (up to 5 pages) demonstrating how the project addresses environmental challenges, distinct from prior doctoral or host research.
Secure a Harvard faculty host: Applicants must reach out early to potential faculty members to gain their commitment to supervise the project and provide office or lab space.
Faculty host support letter: The host must submit a formal letter (up to 2 pages) confirming their mentorship and commitment to the fellow.
Recommendation letters: Three letters of recommendation must be submitted directly to the selection committee.
Submit application online: Upload all required documents (application form, CV, proposal, host letter, recommendation letters) through Harvard’s official application portal.

* Applicants will be notified of the outcome by late January 2026. The program will officially begin between July and September 2026, with limited flexibility for a short deferral in exceptional cases.