For Harvard graduate students in doctoral programs only.
The Graduate Student Associates (GSA) program is one of the Center's oldest and most valued programs. Directed by Erez Manela, professor of history and Weatherhead Center Faculty Associate, the program welcomes applicants from any of Harvard's graduate and professional schools. The Center currently supports twenty-four doctoral candidates from advanced degree programs that include African and African American studies, anthropology, architecture and urban planning, education, government, history, history of science, law, religion, social policy, and sociology.
The goal of the GSA program is to provide a supportive and stimulating interdisciplinary environment in which graduate students can interact with one another, as well as with faculty, visiting scholars, and experienced practitioners at the Center, as they complete their dissertation and begin their transition to a professional career.
Grants and Benefits
Graduate Student Associates are members of the Center's residential scholarly community. GSAs are provided with shared office space, which includes a computer and printer, and receive research grants of up to $3,000 for conference and short-term research travel or for other expenses related to dissertation research and professional development.
Involvement with the program offers students an opportunity to present and receive feedback on their work in weekly seminars, held on Fridays. Because the members of this eclectic community come from many scholarly backgrounds, participants have an opportunity to learn about analytical approaches and research methodologies across disciplines and how to communicate with scholars outside of their own field, resulting in a significant broadening of their intellectual horizons.
Who Is Eligible
Students in doctoral or similarly advanced degree programs at any of Harvard's academic departments or professional schools may apply. Accepted students will have finished their course work, completed general exams, and have a focus relating to the core interests of the Weatherhead Center. These interests are broadly defined to encompass research on international, transnational, global, and comparative national issues and may address contemporary or historical topics, including rigorous policy analysis, as well as the study of specific countries and regions outside the United States. Preference is given to those applicants whose work is related to current research projects at the Center. Most Graduate Student Associates are G4 and above, though some G3s are accepted if they have a fairly well-defined dissertation topic. Applicants should state in their proposals why they are interested in joining the GSA program.
Terms
Graduate Student Associates must be in residence at Harvard (except for short-term travel) and participate regularly in the program's Friday seminars and other activities, including support of the Undergraduate Associates of the Center. Graduate Student Associates may apply to renew their affiliation, for a total of three years in the program.
How to Apply
The Weatherhead Center uses the electronic application platform, the Centralized Application for Research and Travel (CARAT). Please read all the instructions on this page as well as in CARAT before beginning your application. Recommenders must upload their letters of recommendation for your application to CARAT.
Contact Clare Putnam for more information.
Deadline
February 20, 2024
