Mittal Family Climate Fellowship

Scholars are expected to be in residence for the upcoming academic year. Appointment dates for the 2027-2028 academic year will run from August 20, 2027 to May 20, 2028. The selected fellow will be granted desk space for this period. 

The gross stipend for the Mittal Family Climate Fellowship is $51,000, which is prorated to the duration of the Fellowship. The stipend will be paid to you on a biweekly basis, meaning every two weeks. For foreign citizens, Harvard may be required to take taxes out of the payment upfront. Please contact the Harvard International Payee Tax Compliance Office with any questions. 

Round-trip economy travel expenses and visa fees from South Asia to Boston will also be reimbursed (for participants residing in South Asia only). All reimbursements and stipends are limited to the dates of the appointment. 

Neither the Mittal Institute nor Harvard University sponsors, provides, or procures housing for fellows during their residency. Fellows are expected to have at least temporary housing by the start date of their fellowship and arrival in Cambridge. More information and resources on housing in the Cambridge area can be found on the FAS Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Housing site. 

Eligibility

This is a Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and candidates must have received their PhD with preference given to those who have received their PhD in the past five years. Scholars who have not had past opportunities to access Harvard’s resources and who have primarily been educated at institutions in South Asia will be prioritized. 

Research proposals should be designed to foster deeper scholarly engagement on climate change, catalyze the creation of new knowledge, and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions across South Asia. Research can be focused on any region within South Asia. 

Research Proposal Requirements 

As part of the application, scholars must submit a five-page, double-spaced research plan. Applications should propose impactful climate research projects that address the critical challenges of climate change in the region with a focus on at least one of the following:  

Adaptation and Resilience: Innovative strategies for communities to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable coastal, agricultural, and urban areas.  

Mitigation Efforts: Research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and promoting energy efficiency in sectors such as transportation, industry, and agriculture.  

Climate-Related Public Health: Exploring the intersection of climate change and health, focusing on topics like air quality, heat stress, waterborne diseases, and the broader impacts on mental and physical well-being.  

Water Resource Management: Addressing water scarcity, glacier retreat, and sustainable management of transboundary water systems, which are of critical importance in the South Asian context.  

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Protection: Projects that aim to preserve biodiversity, protect natural habitats, and explore nature-based solutions for mitigating the impacts of climate change.  

Climate Policy and Governance: Analyses of regional and national policies, governance mechanisms, and frameworks to enhance climate action, including the role of public-private partnerships and international cooperation.  

Technology and Innovation: Exploring new technologies, data analytics, and innovative approaches that can accelerate climate action, with an emphasis on scalable solutions suitable for the South Asian context. 

Deadlines

The application window for the Academic Year 2027/28 Fellowship is now open. The application deadline is Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Letters of recommendation are due Tuesday, December 8, 2026.

Decisions will be made typically within 2 – 3 months of the application deadline. 

How to Apply

All application materials should be uploaded and submitted via an online application form called ARIeS. To start, please create an account on the ARIeS site. 

Once your account is active, you will be able to create and submit an application through ARIeS. The application portal can be found here.

All applicants will need to submit the following through ARIeS:

• A five-page, double-spaced research plan 
• An updated and current curriculum vitae, which lists your academic degrees (including disciplines and the dates the degrees were received), your publications and research presentations, and any previous grants and/or fellowships. 
• A writing sample that is no more than ten pages, double-spaced.
• A scan of your PhD Diploma (transcripts and proof of prior degrees are not required).
• Two letters of recommendation uploaded directly to ARIeS. NOTE: Recommenders will NOT be able to submit their letters until you have completed your application. If need be, letters can be emailed directly to htaylor@fas.harvard.edu, with “Mittal Institute Fellowship Recommendation” and the applicant’s name in the subject line. They can be addressed to ‘Members of the Selection Committee.’ 

All materials must be received by the appropriate deadline to be considered. If you have questions, please reach out to our program coordinator rather than to Harvard faculty.