Harvard University announces the opening of applications for theEnvironmental Fellows Programfor 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.
TheHarvard 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 spanstwo 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 applicantsoutside of the USA.
Additional Program Benefits
- Co-curricular programbringing fellows together with faculty inbi-weekly dinners.
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary engagement, fostering a vibrant academic community.
- Support forfieldwork tripsduring the summer or January recess.
Who Can Apply?
- Holders of aPhD (or equivalent terminal degree)awarded betweenMay 2022 and August 2026.
- Open toall 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 demonstrateexperience in scholarly research.
- Harvard graduates or current Harvard postdocsare eligible, provided their proposed research isclearly distinctfrom their doctoral work or ongoing projects.
Program Requirements
- Full-time commitment to Harvard for the entiretwo-year fellowship.
- Each applicant must secure aHarvard faculty hostwho will provide academic supervision and office or lab space.
- Faculty may not host more thanone Environmental Fellowat a time.
- Faculty not eligible to host fellows in 2026:
- Paul Moorcroft
- Zhiming Kuang
- Caroline Buckee
- Satchit Balsari
- Paul Moorcroft
- Proposed research must beindependentfrom the applicant’s PhD and represent anew line of inquiryaddressing environmental issues.
Selection Process
- Evaluation ofacademic and professional achievements.
- Careful review of theresearch proposalby a HUCE faculty committee.
- Relevance of the proposed project to addressing environmental challenges.
- Assessment of the candidate’sintellectual potential and research capacity.
- Ensuringdiversity in disciplines, skills, and backgroundsamong selected fellows.
- Selected applicants may be invited for avideo interviewto discuss their proposal.
Required Documents
- Application formsubmitted via the official program portal.
- Updated CVhighlighting 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.
- Research objectives.
- Host faculty support letter(maximum 2 pages) outlining commitment to mentoring and providing resources.
- Three recommendation lettersfrom academic or research supervisors.
- Proof of completion of PhD requirements(if degree not yet conferred).
How to Apply
Applicants must prepare all required documents and submit the application byDecember 1, 2025 (5:00 PM EST). Host faculty letters and recommendation letters must be submitted no later thanDecember 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 bylate January 2026. The program will officially begin betweenJuly and September 2026, with limited flexibility for a short deferral in exceptional cases.