Call for Applications – Rowland Fellows Program at Harvard

The Rowland Institute at Harvard offers an exceptional opportunity for early-career experimentalists in science and engineering to launch independent research programs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1980 by Edwin Land to support high-risk, creative research, the institute joined Harvard University in 2002 to advance the careers of innovative scientists and engineers. The Rowland Fellowship is ideal for those aiming to push boundaries and bridge traditional disciplinary fields. You can also check Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship

Fellowship Benefits

The Rowland Fellowship provides comprehensive support to help fellows establish and grow their research programs. Key benefits include:

• Principal Investigator Rights: Full authority to lead your own lab.
• Dedicated Lab Space: Access to tailored laboratory and ancillary spaces (e.g., cell culture, magnet rooms).
• Generous Funding: Start-up funding for equipment (varies by research needs) and a yearly budget starting at $225,000 for lab supplies, travel, and personnel (postdoctoral fellows, postbacs, undergraduates).
• Competitive Salary: Starting at $89,999 per year with full Harvard benefits.
• Teaching Opportunities: Fellows can teach undergraduates for at least one semester, fostering student recruitment and gaining teaching experience.
• Technical Support: Access to staff scientists and engineers for designing and fabricating experimental setups, plus shared research equipment at Harvard facilities like the Center for Nanoscale Systems and Bauer Life Science Core Facility.
• Career Development: Mentorship in lab culture, scientific writing, budgeting, leadership training, and access to Harvard’s Core for Mentorship Excellence.
• Duration: Up to five years, with flexible start dates between September and December 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the 2026 Rowland Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be in the process of completing their PhD or have received their PhD after May 1, 2024.
• Have completed their doctoral degree before starting the fellowship.
• Propose experimentally focused research in any field of science or engineering (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, engineering). Note: Human subjects or clinical research is not supported.
• Be from any accredited academic institution, U.S. or international. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible, with visa support provided.

Check also: Wang Gungwu Visiting Fellows Programme 2026 in Singapore

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the Harvard website: Apply Here. Required materials include:

• Elevator Pitch: A 250-word summary of your research goals for a general audience.
• Statement of Research: Up to three pages (including references) detailing your research proposal and, if applicable, recent work supporting your plans.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A comprehensive academic CV.
• Vision Statement: A one-page statement on how your values and academic experiences will shape a productive and supportive lab culture.
• References: Contact information for 3–4 referees (automated emails will request letters from them).

Also check: DAAD PRIME Fellowship Programme 2025

Important Notes

• Applications can be edited and submitted in multiple sessions before the deadline.
• Once submitted, applications cannot be revised unless you email [email protected] before the deadline to reactivate your account.
• If using AI tools, declare their use in your application. Materials should reflect your original voice and personal motivations, as AI-generated content may lack nuance and specificity.

Application Timeline

• Application Deadline: August 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT
• Letters of Recommendation Due: August 29, 2025
• Mid-September 2025: Ineligible applicants notified by email.
• Mid-October 2025: First-round Zoom interviews conducted; unsuccessful candidates notified.
• November 13–14, 2025: Finalists visit the Rowland Institute for:
  • Day 1: Symposium with brief presentations on past and proposed research.
  • Day 2: Interviews with current Rowland Fellows, staff, and the admissions committee.
• Early December 2025: Selection decisions announced.

Read: Georg Forster Research Fellowship 2026

Contact Information

For questions about eligibility or the application process, email [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harvard is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics.