Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University in USA | How to Apply
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2026 is a prestigious two-year, in-residence postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. It is designed for recent PhD recipients and doctoral candidates in the social sciences whose research explores regions and countries outside the United States and Canada. Scholars receive a generous annual stipend of $80,000, plus $5,000 research support, along with mentorship, academic community, and resources to advance their careers in academia or international institutions. Applications close on September 19, 2025.
Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United States of America
- Study Abroad: Study in USA
- Host Institution: The Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, Harvard University
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships | Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: $80,000 annually + $5,000 research support
- Deadline: September 19, 2025
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Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University Details
The Harvard Academy Scholars Program brings together a select group of exceptional early-career researchers working in the social sciences. These scholars are expected to combine disciplinary excellence with in-depth knowledge of regions and cultures beyond the United States and Canada.
Selected fellows spend two years in residence at Harvard University, where they have the opportunity to carry out independent research, attend interdisciplinary seminars, and receive mentorship from senior Harvard faculty.
Every year, only five to six Academy Scholars are selected, making this one of the most competitive and prestigious opportunities in the academic world.
Apply to this fully funded BS.C scholarship in the USA. Watch step by step on how to apply on our YouTube Channel:
Eligibility Requirements for the Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University
To qualify for this program, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Academic Background:
- Open to all nationalities.
- Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent degree (e.g., DPhil, SJD) in the social sciences.
- Candidates who are still completing their PhD must be able to submit degree documentation by June 30, 2026, for the fellowship starting August 1, 2026.
- Timeline of PhD Completion:
- Eligible if a PhD was completed on or after August 1, 2024.
- Those who received their PhD before August 1, 2024, are not eligible.
- Restrictions:
- Applicants who currently hold or have completed another postdoctoral fellowship are not eligible.
- Research focus must not be on the United States or Canada.
- Eligible Fields of Study:
- Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, Law, Public Policy, Social Policy, Women & Gender Studies, and more.
- Regional studies (e.g., Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe) are eligible if connected to a social science discipline.
Don’t meet the requirements? No worries! Here are other USA-based scholarships you might be eligible for:
- Masters Scholarship 2026 at Texas Tech University in USA | Fully Funded
- Qatar Airways University Scholarship Programme 2026 | How to Apply
- Eastern Michigan University Presidential Scholarship 2026 in USA | Fully Funded
- The Gates Scholarship (TGS) 2025/2026 in USA | Fully Funded
- Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholarship 2026 in USA (Fully Funded)
- Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships 2025/2026 in USA | How to Apply
Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Stipend: $80,000 per year for two years.
- Research Support: $5,000 annually to fund academic work.
- Residency: Two-year in-residence fellowship at Harvard University.
- Mentorship: Guidance from senior Harvard Academy faculty.
- Networking: Participation in academic dinners, seminars, and events.
- Career Support: Training and exposure for future academic or international careers.
Explore these different fully funded scholarships. To know how to apply, watch the full details on our YouTube Channel:
Required Documents for the Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University
Applicants must prepare and submit the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – including publications list.
- Research Proposal (max 2,000 words) – outlining objectives, methodology, and relevance.
- Scholarly Writing Sample – single-authored work (PhD chapter or journal article, max 50 pages, in English).
- PhD Transcript – or equivalent graduate documentation (Master’s and PhD).
- Three Letters of Recommendation – submitted confidentially by referees via the online system.
Note: All materials must be uploaded in PDF format.
Confused About Where and How to Start Securing Scholarships Abroad:
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Here is an easy-to-follow guide for starting your scholarship application and crafting a compelling personal statement:
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Confused About How to Apply and Start Securing Scholarships Abroad? Book a Free Consultation today with us:
How to Apply for the Academy Scholars Program 2026 at Harvard University (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to apply for the Harvard Academy Scholars Program 2026:
- Prepare Your Documents – Draft your CV, proposal, writing sample, and collect transcripts.
- Contact Referees Early – Ask three professors or advisors to write recommendation letters. They will receive an upload link after you submit your application.
- Visit the Harvard Academy Website – Go to the official application portal and click APPLY ONLINE.
- Upload All Materials – Submit all documents as PDFs before the deadline.
- Submit Application – Your referees will then receive instructions to upload their recommendation letters.
- Confirm Submission – Ensure your referees submit their letters by September 29, 2025.
- Wait for Results – Finalists will be interviewed in December 2025, and selected fellows will begin in August 2026.
Deadline
September 19, 2025
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