The Environmental Fellows Program at Harvard University supports talented early-career scholars dedicated to advancing environmental research and solutions. Established by the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE), this prestigious two-year fellowship enables recent doctorate recipients to collaborate with Harvard’s distinguished faculty across any school or department.

Fellows explore innovative research that addresses complex environmental challenges while strengthening interdisciplinary connections throughout Harvard.

Fellowship Duration: 2 years (starting September 2026)
Annual Stipend: $90,000 plus research and relocation allowances

Fellowship Benefits

Selected Environmental Fellows will receive:

• Annual Salary: $90,000 per year
• Health Insurance: Full employee health coverage
• Relocation Support: Up to $2,500 reimbursement
• Professional Development Allowance: $2,500 annually for travel and research expenses
• Networking Opportunities: Biweekly dinners and seminars with Harvard faculty and fellows
• Approximately five fellowships will be awarded for the 2026 cohort.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Hold a doctoral or equivalent terminal degree awarded between May 2022 and August 2026.
• Candidates from any discipline are eligible, including environmental science, economics, policy, law, design, public health, and humanities.
• Applicants without a PhD may apply if they hold a terminal degree in their field.
• Candidates who earned their degrees at any accredited university worldwide are welcome to apply.
• Foreign nationals are eligible, but proficiency in English is required.

Harvard graduates or current postdocs may apply only if their proposed research takes them in new directions distinct from their current or past work at Harvard.

Selection Process

The selection committee evaluates applications based on:

• Academic excellence and demonstrated research potential
• Originality and independence of the proposed project
• Relevance to pressing environmental issues
• Strength of mentorship and host commitment
• Interdisciplinary approach (encouraged but not required)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to discuss their proposals in a video interview with the selection committee.

Finding a Faculty Host at Harvard

Applicants must secure a Harvard faculty host who will serve as a mentor and provide office or lab space. The host should actively support the fellow’s project and help them integrate into Harvard’s research community.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials via the online application form by December 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (EST):

• Curriculum Vitae (including publication list)
• Research Proposal (maximum 5 pages, references excluded)
• Should outline a distinct and original project that extends beyond prior PhD research
• Up to Three Publications or Writing Samples

Program Expectations

Successful candidates must:

• Commit to residency in the Cambridge, MA area for the full duration of the fellowship.
• Attend biweekly dinners and discussions with peers and faculty.
• Schedule any fieldwork during summer or January recess.
• Equal Opportunity Commitment

Harvard University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The institution is committed to diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected category.

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Apply here: Application

For more information: Harvard University Center for the Environment

For more opportunities: Opportunities for Youth