Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship in Ukrainian Studies at Harvard University

The Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to senior scholars to support academic research that advances knowledge of Ukraine. Jacyk Distinguished Fellows are leaders in their fields. This fellowship is designed to bring distinguished scholars to Harvard University for one academic term (four or five months) of focused, independent research. Fellows enjoy access to Harvard's vast research resources and vibrant intellectual environment.

Benefits

• A total stipend of $35,000, paid biweekly for five months
• The fellowship supports full-time, independent research for five months – one academic term (fall or spring) – in residence at Harvard, beginning on either September 1 or February 1.
• Access to shared office space and the Pritsak Memorial Library at HURI.
• Full access to Harvard's vast libraries and archival materials, including electronic resources.
• Fellows will pursue their proposed independent research project within the vibrant intellectual environment at Harvard.
• International scholars are eligible for visa sponsorship by Harvard. 

Please note that HURI does not provide housing for visiting fellows during their residency term. Fellows are expected to secure housing in advance of their arrival and start date. 

Expectations 

• Participate actively in HURI’s events and intellectual community
• Pursue the proposed independent research full-time, without other work commitments, and make substantial progress
• Prepare and deliver a public lecture on their fellowship research at an event hosted by HURI
• Work on campus, in residence at Harvard, for the duration of the fellowship

Eligibility

• Research fellowships from the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute support significant, innovative, independent research that advances knowledge of Ukrainian history, culture, and society while in residence at Harvard University.
• This fellowship is awarded to senior scholars who have made significant contributions to advancing knowledge of Ukraine within their field. Successful applicants typically hold a post-doctoral degree (Doctor of Sciences, доктор наук, Habilitation) and/or are full professors with tenure at their home university.
• Applicants must hold a PhD degree or international equivalent (Candidate of Sciences, кандидат наук) in the humanities and social sciences.
• Scholars who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing knowledge of Ukraine through teaching, research, and publication are encouraged to apply.
• Citizens of all countries are welcome.
• Non-US applicants must be eligible to receive and maintain a J-1 visa to carry out research in residence at Harvard supported by a fellowship from HURI. More information can be found here. Please note the two-year national residency requirements, which may apply if you recently held a long-term J-1 visa (more than 6 months).

Application Instructions

• Applications for Academic Year 2026-2027 are due by 11:59 pm EST on January 15, 2026.
• Supporting letters of recommendation are due by January 22, 2026.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• All application materials must be in English.
• Decisions will be announced in April. No fellowship award is final until approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
• Fellowship applications include the following supporting documents, all of which must be submitted within the online application on Harvard's Academic Positions platform.

Supporting Documents

Cover letter

No longer than two pages. The cover letter should explain your interest in this fellowship and residence at Harvard. It should include your academic biography and a short summary of your research plan during the fellowship term. 

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Not longer than three pages. The CV must clearly indicate all academic degrees with the date received, degree-granting institution, and department/field/discipline, current employer(s) and position(s), any publications, if applicable.

Research Proposal

Detailed description of your proposed fellowship research, 3-5 pages, double-spaced. Include the title and abstract of your proposed research project, its significance within your field, and the intended outcome (develop your dissertation or manuscript into a book? Finalize an article?)
 

Because the Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship is intended for scholars whose body of work is well-known and widely respected, the application does not require a writing sample or letters of recommendation. 

Apply Now

The application deadline for Academic Year 2026-2027 is 11:59 pm EST on January 15, 2026. Apply here for a Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship in Ukrainian Studies.