Environmental Fellows Program 2026 at Harvard University (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2026 Environmental Fellows Program at Harvard University, a prestigious two-year fellowship designed for recent doctorate recipients to conduct innovative environmental research. This fully funded program supports interdisciplinary projects across fields such as sciences, economics, law, public policy, and humanities, fostering collaboration with Harvard’s world-class faculty. The application deadline is December 1, 2025, with no application fee.

Eligible candidates include those who received a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree between May 2022 and August 2026, including international applicants and Harvard graduates pursuing new research directions. You can check out more fellowships here

Key Details

• Field: Environmental research (interdisciplinary, open to all disciplines)
• Duration: 2 years (starting July 1, 2026, flexible to September 2026)
• Funding: Fully funded
  • Salary: $90,000/year
  • Health insurance eligibility
  • Relocation reimbursement: Up to $2,500
  • Annual travel/professional allowance: $2,500
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST
• Host/Recommendation Letters Deadline: December 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST
• Application Fee: None
• Cohort Size: Approximately 5 fellows

Eligibility

The program is open to candidates who:

• Have received a doctorate or equivalent terminal degree between May 2022 and August 2026 (dissertation must be filed before starting in September 2026).
• Hold a degree in any field and propose research in any discipline (e.g., sciences, economics, law, public policy, humanities, etc.).
• Are foreign nationals (English proficiency is required for study at Harvard).
• Are Harvard graduates or current post-docs, provided their proposed research significantly differs from their PhD work and involves new faculty mentors.

Note: Candidates cannot work with their PhD advisor or current research group. Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged but not required.

Check Visiting Fellowships in Austria: Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) Early-Career Fellowship

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic and Professional Success: Your prior achievements and potential contributions to environmental scholarship or practice.
• Project Proposal: Proposals should outline an independent line of inquiry, distinct from your PhD work and your host’s ongoing research. The project must address environmental issues and demonstrate potential for intellectual achievement.
• Host Commitment: A strong letter of support from a Harvard faculty host, detailing their enthusiasm, mentorship plan, and ability to provide office space and a productive work environment.
• Diversity of Cohort: The selection committee seeks a diverse group of fellows with varied academic interests, skills, and backgrounds.

A select group of applicants may be invited for a video interview to discuss their proposal further.

Best opportunity: CoCirculation3 Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Turkey

Finding a Faculty Host

Securing a Harvard faculty host is a critical step in the application process. Here’s how to proceed:

• Start Early: Identify and contact potential hosts well in advance to establish a relationship.
• Host Responsibilities: Your host will mentor you, provide office or lab space, and offer administrative support. They must submit a letter of support (max. 2 pages) by December 10, 2025.
• Choosing a Host: Explore faculty profiles on the Salata Institute website or individual faculty pages for research interests. Any tenure-track Harvard faculty member can serve as a host, regardless of prior environmental research experience.
• Restrictions: Faculty members Paul Moorcroft, Zhiming Kuang, Caroline Buckee, and Satchit Balsari are not eligible to host fellows in 2026. Faculty can only host one Environmental Fellow at a time.
• Multiple Hosts: Co-hosts are allowed if both commit and it aligns with your project.

Application Requirements

To apply, submit the following by December 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST:

1. Research Proposal: A five-page document outlining your independent research plan (no specific format required, but ensure readability).
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight your academic and professional achievements.
3. Letters of Recommendation: At least three letters, due by December 10, 2025.
4. Host Letter of Support: A maximum two-page letter from your Harvard faculty host, detailing their commitment to your project and mentorship.

Note: Applications without a host letter will not be reviewed.

Also check: Canon Foundation Research Fellowship In Europe and Japan

FAQs

Is the program open to non-US citizens?

Yes, foreign nationals are eligible, and Harvard’s International Office will assist with visa applications.

Do I need a PhD to apply?

Yes, the fellowship is for recent doctorate recipients. Applicants with master’s degrees alone are not eligible unless their field does not typically award PhDs.

Do I need my doctoral diploma by the start of the fellowship?

No, but you must provide a letter from your graduate school or department chair confirming that all degree requirements are complete.

When will I hear about a decision?

Applicants will be notified by late January 2026.

Can I delay the start date?

Fellows typically start by September 2026, but slight delays (e.g., a month or two) may be accommodated in rare cases.

Can I apply without a faculty host?

No, a faculty host letter is required for your application to be reviewed.

Can I have more than one host?

Yes, if both faculty members commit and it suits your project, though this is uncommon.