#  What should I include in my application materials? 

 



There are no strict formatting requirements for the application materials. We recommend the following lengths and guidelines:

- Cover Letter: approximately 2 pages  
    The cover letter should provide an overview of your academic background, research interests, and scholarly trajectory. Briefly describe what you study, your dissertation or current research, and the projects you hope to pursue next. You may mention your primary supervisor, other faculty or collaborators you work with, and relevant publications, awards, fellowships, fieldwork, or research travel. Applicants should also explain why the Weatherhead Scholars Program and Harvard would be a good fit, including any faculty, research groups, centers, or programs at Weatherhead or Harvard with which they may be interested in engaging.
- Research Statement: approximately 2 pages  
    The research statement should provide a more detailed account of your research. It should describe your central research questions and arguments, the contribution of your work to the relevant literature, your methodology, sources or data, and the broader significance of the research. Applicants should also discuss their current and future research agenda, particularly the work they hope to undertake during their time at Harvard. Where relevant, this may include plans for publications, a book project, fieldwork, data collection, or the development of a new research project.
- Curriculum Vitae: approximately 2–3 pages  
    The CV should provide a clear overview of your academic and professional record, including education, appointments, publications, presentations, awards and fellowships, research experience, and other relevant scholarly or professional activities.
- Dissertation Abstract: 1–2 paragraphs  
    The dissertation abstract should be brief and provide a clear summary of the dissertation, including its central research question, argument, methodology or approach, and primary contribution. Applicants who have not yet completed their dissertation may submit a summary of the project in its current form. It does not need to be the final abstract that will appear in the completed dissertation.