Belfer Center Fellowships

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs offers research fellowships during the academic year to individuals who wish to devote their time to research and writing in the fields of science and international affairs. Fellows are selected by the Center's major research teams and are expected to work collaboratively with other Center researchers, as well as on their own projects. Fellowships for the Recanati-Kaplan Fellowship, National Security Fellow and Belfer Young Student Leaders Fellowship are subject to appointment outside of our October 2-December 1 application period, and follow a separate selection criteria, please visit their fellowship pages for additional information. 

Belfer Center fellowship teams establish a cohort of academic and professional thought leaders, who receive direct access to faculty members and other affiliated experts. Fellows research a wide variety of topics aligned with the Center's research areas, ranging from security issues such as nuclear proliferation and terrorism to climate change and energy policy.

In line with the HKS Diversity statement, the Belfer Center does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a veteran. It is our goal to promote historically underrepresented groups within our organization and within the field of science and international affairs, and members of such groups are particularly encouraged to apply to the Center's fellowship programs. 

Areas of Research

To review the research areas of available fellowships, please consult the 'Fellowships' tab. For proposals that span different Belfer research programs, applicants may direct their applications to more than one project or program on the application form. Please note that applicants are expected to have relevant academic or professional experience in their fellowship's research area.

Expectations

The Center's programs and projects offer a variety of both professional and academic research fellowships. Professional fellowships are geared towards mid-career professionals, while academic fellowships include predoctoral, postdoctoral, and faculty positions. Fellows are appointed for ten-month appointments from September through June, with a possibility for renewal.

Fellows are expected to devote some portion of their time to collaborative endeavors, as arranged by the appropriate program or project director. Predoctoral research fellows are expected to contribute to the Center's research activities, as well as work on — and ideally complete — their doctoral dissertations. Postdoctoral fellows are also expected to complete a book, monograph, or other significant publication during their period of residence. Faculty and professional fellows are expected to complete a substantial research project or series of papers during their time at the Center.

Stipend Information

Stipends for research fellows vary by fellowship. Please review the individual fellowship pages through the 'Fellowships' tab for specific funding information.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding. All applicants should indicate on their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding from the Center.

Submission of a formal application through the “Apply Here” tab is required for all fellowship applicants, regardless of whether funding is required.

For more information

Please email belfer_fellowships@hks.harvard.edu

The fellowship application period to join the Belfer Center during the 2024-2025 academic year will open on October 2, 2023. 

Furthering Leadership Careers

Mentoring the leaders of tomorrow is a core pillar of the Center's mission.  Our fellows and other alumni often go on to assume major leadership roles in academia, government, business and other fields.