The Weatherhead Center invites applications to its Scholars Program for 2024–2025. This program offers visiting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and experienced practitioners the opportunity to spend up to one academic year at Harvard.
Visiting Faculty
We will consider faculty in the social sciences from other universities and programs, as well as academics employed by think tanks.
Postdoctoral Fellows
We will consider individuals who have obtained their PhDs in the last three calendar years, or who will have defended by the start of their academic appointment.
Experienced Practitioners
We will consider practitioners with an established record of professional achievement, including civil servants, heads of NGOs, and journalists, among others. All visitors are expected to pursue a research project connected to a core interest of the Weatherhead Center.
Who Is Eligible
Faculty and postdoctoral applicants must possess a PhD at the time of enrollment, and all applicants must agree to be in residence for a minimum of four months (at least three of these during the academic year). They should be able to secure their own funding from sabbatical salary or external grants. In addition to paying their own living expenses, participants may be assessed a program administrative fee. There will, however, be some funding for a small number of postdoctoral fellows.
Program Activities and Benefits
During their time in residence, Scholars are expected to participate in the biweekly Weatherhead Forum; participate in and contribute to the biweekly Scholars’ seminar; contribute to some of the Center’s many other intellectual activities, including our research clusters; and engage with the undergraduate and graduate student communities.
Scholars also have a desk in a shared office and access to Harvard’s vast library system; they may also audit courses throughout campus (with the instructor’s permission).
How to Apply
All applicants should submit the following on the using the Application Portal on this page or on the Scholars Program website: cover letter; curriculum vitae (five pages maximum); description of research project (three pages or less); and two letters of recommendation.
Prospective postdoctoral researchers and visiting faculty must apply online between July 1 and November 1 of the year preceding their desired enrollment.
The deadline for practitioners is March 1. Practitioners may apply through the application portal up until November 1; after November 1, they should be in direct contact with Weatherhead Scholars Program Director Walid Hammam.
For more information on the program, including costs associated with participation, please review our Weatherhead Scholars Program FAQs, or contact:
Walid Hammam
Director, Weatherhead Scholars Program
Harvard University
61 Kirkland Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: walid_hammam@wcfia.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-495-2112
Note: General information on living expenses, visas, and health coverage is available on the website of the Harvard International Office.
