Harvard University Environmental Fellows Program 2026

📖 About Harvard University Environmental Fellows

The Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) created the Environmental Fellows Program to enable recent doctorate recipients to leverage Harvard’s extraordinary resources to tackle complex environmental issues. Fellows work for two years with Harvard faculty members in any school or department, forming a community of researchers that strengthens connections across the University.

📅 Opportunity Details

• Date Published: August 25, 2025
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
• Category:
  • PhD
  • Fellowship
  • Fully Funded
  • Postdoctoral
• Opportunity Location: United States
• School: Harvard University

💰 Benefits of the Fellowship

• Salary: $90,000 per year
• Health Insurance: Eligibility for employee health insurance
• Relocation Expenses: Up to $2,500 reimbursement
• Professional Expenses: Annual allowance of $2,500 for travel and other professional expenses
• Cohort Size: Approximately five fellowships will be awarded for the 2026 cohort
• Co-curricular Program:
  • Biweekly dinners with Harvard faculty and guest speakers
  • Opportunities to connect with other fellows and faculty

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Degree Requirements:
  • Candidates must have received their terminal degree (PhD or equivalent) between May 2022 and August 2026.
  • Applicants without a PhD may apply if they have studied in fields where the PhD is not the typical terminal degree.
• Research Experience:
  • Demonstrated experience performing scholarly research.
• Global Eligibility:
  • Candidates from any university worldwide are eligible.
  • Foreign nationals are welcome to apply, but proficiency in English is required.
• Dissertation Submission:
  • Fellows must have completed their dissertation before starting their appointment in September 2026.

🏆 Selection Criteria

1. Academic and Professional Success:
   • The applicant’s prior achievements and potential contributions to scholarship or practice.
2. Project Proposal:
   • Independent research extending beyond the candidate’s PhD work and the host’s ongoing research.
   • Relevance to environmental issues and demonstration of intellectual achievement.
3. Diversity of Scholars:
   • Fellows will be selected to create a diverse group of scholars with varied academic interests, skills, and backgrounds.
4. Harvard Candidates:
   • Harvard graduates or post-docs are eligible if their research takes them in new directions distinct from their PhD work.
5. Interdisciplinary Research:
   • Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged but not required.
6. Host’s Commitment:
   • The host faculty member’s enthusiasm, mentorship ability, and provision of office space will be considered.
7. Interview:
   • A select group of applicants will be invited for a video interview with the selection committee.

📝 Application Process

Required Documents:

1. Online Application Form (Deadline: December 1, 2025, 5 p.m. ET)
   • Attach the following as PDFs:
     • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include a list of publications.
     • Research Proposal: Maximum of five pages (references counted separately).
     • Publications/Writing Samples: Up to three.
2. Letters of Reference:
   • Three letters, including one from the applicant’s dissertation adviser.
   • Letters must be uploaded by recommenders via the ARIeS application system.
   • Recommenders have until December 10, 2025 to submit their letters.
3. Host Letter of Support:
   • A letter from the applicant’s host committing to serve as a mentor and explaining their support for the proposed research.
   • Hosts have until December 10, 2025 to submit their letters.

Submission Details:

• Submit the online application form with attachments.
• Hosts should email their letters directly to Cayla Jett at environmental_fellows@harvard.edu.
• Applicants will receive an automated email confirming receipt of their application.

📅 Key Dates

• Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
• Recommendation Letter Deadline: December 10, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View program details: Harvard University Environmental Fellows Program
• Apply here: Harvard University Environmental Fellows Application

For further inquiries, contact Cayla Jett at environmental_fellows@harvard.edu.

• The fellowship includes a salary of $90,000 per year.
• Employee health insurance eligibility.
• Up to $2,500 reimbursement for relocation expenses.
• A $2,500 annual allowance for travel and other professional expenses.
• HUCE organizes a co-curricular program to ensure that the fellows get to know each other and each other’s work.