Are you passionate about addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time? The prestigious Environmental Fellows Program at Harvard University is now accepting applications, offering an unparalleled opportunity for emerging leaders to make a difference in the field of environmental research and policy.

“Harvard is committed to fostering the development of talented scholars with an interest in environmental research. The Environmental Fellows at Harvard work with some of the University’s leading faculty, creating linkages across research disciplines and professional schools, and benefit from all that Harvard has to offer.”

— Dan Schrag, Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, Professor of Public Policy Co-Director, Science, Technology and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School

Purpose:

HUCE created the Environmental Fellows program to enable recent doctorate recipients to use and expand Harvard’s extraordinary resources to tackle complex environmental issues. Fellows work for two years with Harvard faculty members in any school or department to form a community of researchers that strengthens connections across the University.

The Award:

The fellowship includes a salary of $90,000 per year, employee health insurance eligibility, up to $2,500 reimbursement for relocation expenses, and a $2,500 annual allowance for travel and other professional expenses. The Environmental Fellows Program is open to anyone with a doctorate or comparable terminal degree awarded between May 2022 and August 2026. HUCE expects to award approximately five fellowships for the 2026 cohort.

HUCE organizes a co-curricular program to ensure that the fellows get to know each other and each other’s work. All fellows join in biweekly dinners along with Harvard faculty and a speaker from amongst the Harvard faculty.

Eligibility

Selection Criteria:

1. Academic and Professional Success:

• Evaluation of prior academic and professional achievements.
• Assessing the potential contribution to scholarship or practice.

2. Project Proposal:

• Independent research extending beyond the candidate’s PhD work and host’s ongoing research.
• Relevance of the proposed work in addressing environmental issues.

3. Diversity and Interdisciplinary Approach:

• Selection of a diverse group of scholars with varied academic interests, skills, and backgrounds.
• Encouragement of interdisciplinary research projects.

4. Host’s Commitment:

• Host faculty member’s enthusiasm and ability to mentor the fellow.
• Provision of office space and a conducive work environment.

Application Process:

1. Finding a Host:
   • Potential candidates should start early to identify and establish a relationship with a Harvard faculty member to host their research. The host will be a mentor to the fellow and will provide office space and basic administrative support. In agreeing to be a host, the faculty member is making a significant commitment.Successful candidates will be enthusiastically recommended by their proposed host. Each applicant’s host must submit a letter of support (maximum of two pages) to the selection committee describing in detail the level of commitment to the research and the candidate. Often Harvard faculty members are approached by many would-be applicants. Some faculty members conduct their own selection process to identify one or two applicants for recommendation to the selection committee.Applicants unfamiliar with Harvard faculty members will find many potential hosts, though far from all, listed on the Salata Institute’s website. See faculty member’s own web pages for more detailed information regarding publications and interests. Any faculty member from any discipline may potentially serve as a host, regardless of whether the host has had prior experience with environmental research or HUCE. Faculty members may only host one Environmental Fellow at a time. Faculty members who are not eligible for hosting fellows in 2026 are Paul Moorcroft, Zhiming Kuang, Caroline Buckee, and Satchit Balsari.

     Note: The Department of the History of Science has a deadline of November 1st for all sponsor requests.

     Please direct any questions to Jim Clem, HUCE Managing Director, at environmental_fellows@harvard.edu.

2. Interview:
   • A select group of applicants will have a video interview with the selection committee to discuss their proposals further.
3. Letter of Support:
   • Each applicant’s host must submit a letter of support detailing the commitment to the research and the candidate.

Additional Information:

• Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship:
  • Some applicants may also be interested in the Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship based at the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University. Global Change Fellows are eligible to be a part of the Environmental Fellows cohort at HUCE starting in September 2023. More information on that program can be found on the Arboretum’s website.

Contact Information:

For any inquiries, please reach out to Jim Clem, HUCE Managing Director, at environmental_fellows@harvard.edu.

Seize this opportunity to be part of an impactful community dedicated to advancing environmental research at Harvard University! The application window for the 2026 Environmental Fellows program is now open. Applications are due December 1, 2025.

Applicants unfamiliar with Harvard faculty members will find many potential hosts, though far from all, listed on HUCE’s web pages organized both by academic areas topics. Click here for more details

More information on where to submit application here.

Please direct any questions to Jim Clem, HUCE Managing Director, at environmental_fellows@harvard.edu.

Supplemental Questions

Applicant Documents

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