FAQs

Do you offer scholars and fellows work space?

Scholars and fellows are offered shared office space (typically 4-5 per office) at 61 Kirkland St. in Cambridge, about two blocks from the Weatherhead Center's main space at the Center for Government and International Studies (1737 Cambridge St., second floor). Each person wil have access to a printer/copier/scanner. If needed, the Program will provide the use of a desktop computer or a monitor that can be connected to a personal laptop. 

Do you offer additional resources for research and/or conference travel?

Scholars and fellows are all eligible to be assigned an undergraduate Research Assistant throughout the duration of their appointment; students are paid by the Weatherhead Center, at $17/hr for 5-10 hours/week. Research Assistants must be Harvard College students in residence/in Massachusetts. 

At this point, we are not offering additional travel grants for participation in events and conferences.

Do you write letters in support of funding applications?

Because the deadline for grant applications often precedes the Weatherhead Center’s application deadline as well as the time when candidates are notified, we are able to write conditional letters in support of grant applications. That is, we write a letter of invitation to the Program and specify that the offer depends on receiving funding and earning acceptance into the Weatherhead Scholars Program. The grant applicant must apply separately to the Weatherhead Scholars Program. 

Who is eligible to apply?

There are three types of applicants:

1. Faculty (Scholars) from other universities who wish to spend sabbatical leave at the Weatherhead Center pursuing research. Visiting faculty must have a PhD and must hold tenured or tenure-track positions at another institution, from which they will be on leave during the time that they are at Harvard.
2. Postdoctoral researchers who have received their PhDs in the last three calendar years, or who will have defended by the start of their academic appointment.
3. Practitioners (Fellows) with a strong scholarly bent who wish to spend a... Read more about Who is eligible to apply?

Do you accommodate scholars and fellows for less than a full academic year?

Scholars must be in residence for a minimum of four months; these four months should be primarily in the fall and spring terms while classes are in session. We do not recommend that scholars spend most of their time in residence during the summer months, as most faculty and students are away from campus from June to August. Please note that given the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be some flexibility given uncertainty around travel and occupancy constraints.

What are the expectations for participants in the program?

Participants are required to be in residence for a minimum of four months, and ideally for one academic year. All participants must be in residence while Harvard classes are in session (with exceptions made given uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic). For full academic year participants, this means being present from late August (for orientation) through early December, and from late January through mid May. Scholars and fellows are also expected to participate in relevant Weatherhead Center events and to contribute to some of the Center’s many other intellectual activities,...

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What expenses are associated with the program?

Fees associated with the program:

  • Postdoctoral fellows do not pay a fee, and some stipendiary funding is available.
  • Standard program administrative fee for academic year for practitioners (Fellows) = $25,000; or $12,500 for a single semester.
  • Standard program administrative fee for academic year for visiting faculty (Scholars) = $10,000; or $5,000 for a single semester. 

Some exceptions for extenuating circumstances can be...

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What is the application process for the Weatherhead Scholars Program?

All applicants should submit the following documents via Harvard's online application portal (ARIES):

1. Cover letter;
2. Curriculum vitae (five pages maximum);
3. Description of research project (three pages or less);
4. Two letters of recommendation.

Applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decision by early January.