About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Applications are now open for the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center Fellowships for the 2027–2028 academic year. These opportunities offer scholars, researchers, and experienced professionals the chance to undertake policy-relevant research at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Rather than offering a single fellowship, the Belfer Center has announced 14 fellowship opportunities covering areas such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, international security, nuclear policy, energy, climate, geopolitics, history, and international affairs.
Many of the fellowships run for approximately 10 months during the academic year, providing opportunities for research, professional development, and engagement with Harvard faculty and other experts.
The application deadline is December 1, 2026, while recommendation letters are due by December 15, 2026.
Harvard Belfer Center Fellowships 2027–2028: Programme Overview
Host Institution: Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University
Research Centre: Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Academic Year: 2027–2028
Number of Opportunities: 14 fellowships
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Eligible Applicants: Scholars, researchers, doctoral candidates, academics, and experienced professionals, depending on the fellowship
Duration: Approximately 10 months for many programmes
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Recommendation Letter Deadline: December 15, 2026
Funding: Varies by fellowship programme
About the Harvard Belfer Center Fellowships
The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School hosts academic and professional fellows who work on major challenges in science, technology, security, and international affairs.
The fellowships provide an opportunity for selected participants to join a research community, engage with Harvard faculty and affiliated experts, and develop research that informs public policy and international decision-making.
The 2027–2028 fellowship cycle includes 14 programmes designed for different academic backgrounds, professional experiences, and research interests.
Applicants are encouraged to identify the opportunity that best matches their qualifications and proposed research, as eligibility criteria, funding arrangements, and fellowship structures differ across programmes.
Available Harvard Belfer Center Fellowship Opportunities
The following are among the fellowship opportunities included in the 2027–2028 cycle.
1. Technology and Geopolitics Fellowship
This fellowship targets doctoral students in the dissertation-writing stage and recent PhD graduates or individuals with equivalent qualifications. It is suitable for researchers examining the relationship between technology, international affairs, and geopolitics.
2. Nova Fellowship
The Nova Fellowship is designed for senior-level technologists, scientists, and engineers, particularly innovators, founders, and researchers working in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and space technology.
3. Managing the Atom Fellowship
This fellowship supports predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars, university faculty, and mid-career professionals conducting research on nuclear policy, nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, disarmament, and nuclear energy.
4. International Security Program Fellowship
This opportunity supports predoctoral candidates and recent PhD graduates or equivalent degree holders pursuing research in international security and related fields.
5. Geopolitics of Energy Fellowship
This fellowship focuses on the connections between international politics, energy, and security. It is relevant to researchers interested in how energy resources and policies influence geopolitical relationships.
6. Energy, Climate, and Technology Policy Fellowship
This opportunity supports research in areas such as energy policy, climate policy, climate finance, and energy technology innovation.
7. Arctic Initiative Fellowship
The Arctic Initiative Fellowship focuses on policy, governance, and international challenges associated with the rapid transformation of the Arctic region.
8. Ernest May Fellowship in History and Policy
This fellowship supports historians working at the intersection of professional history, strategic studies, and public policy.
9. Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship
This fellowship offers a ten-month stipend for eligible scholars researching policy issues relevant to the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region, and the broader Arab world.
10. Kuwait Program Research Fellowship
The Kuwait Program Research Fellowship provides a ten-month stipend for eligible scholars undertaking policy-oriented research connected to Kuwait.
11. Israel Program Research Fellowship
This opportunity brings experienced scholars and practitioners working on Israel and related regional issues to Harvard Kennedy School for short-term research residencies.
12. Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship
This fellowship is designed for senior policy-oriented scholars and faculty from Kuwait who wish to engage in research and academic activities at Harvard Kennedy School.
13. Recanati-Kaplan Foundation Fellowship
This fellowship supports intelligence officers from United States and foreign intelligence services who are transitioning into, or already serving in, leadership positions.
14. Belfer Young Leaders Student Fellowship
This opportunity is specifically designed for eligible Harvard Kennedy School students interested in developing their leadership and engagement with policy research.
Important: Fellowship names, eligibility requirements, and application arrangements should be confirmed on the official Belfer Center website before applying.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility varies considerably across the 14 fellowship programmes. Applicants should review the requirements for their preferred fellowship before beginning an application.
Depending on the programme, eligible candidates may include:
Doctoral students conducting dissertation research.
Recent PhD graduates and researchers with equivalent qualifications.
Postdoctoral scholars and university faculty.
Mid-career professionals with relevant expertise.
Senior scientists, engineers, technologists, and innovators.
Experienced practitioners working in international security, intelligence, energy, climate, or public policy.
Scholars and professionals with specialised regional research interests.
For example, the Technology and Geopolitics Fellowship targets dissertation-stage doctoral researchers and recent PhD recipients, while Managing the Atom accommodates a broader range of academic and professional backgrounds.
The Nova Fellowship, in contrast, is intended particularly for experienced technology professionals, scientists, and engineers with demonstrated impact in their fields.
Applicants should not assume that meeting the requirements for one fellowship automatically makes them eligible for the others.
Benefits of the Harvard Belfer Center Fellowships
The benefits available to successful applicants depend on the selected fellowship programme.
Potential benefits include:
Research opportunities: Dedicated time to pursue policy-relevant research in the fellow's area of expertise.
Academic engagement: Opportunities to interact with Harvard faculty, researchers, and affiliated experts.
Professional development: Exposure to research and policy discussions involving science, technology, security, and international affairs.
Research networks: Opportunities to connect with scholars, practitioners, and professionals working on major global challenges.
Financial support: Stipends or other funding arrangements where provided by the specific fellowship.
International exposure: The opportunity for eligible international fellows to participate in Harvard Kennedy School's research environment.
The Belfer Center states that housing is not included. Funding arrangements differ by fellowship, so applicants should check the financial provisions of their preferred programme.
Visa sponsorship is available for selected international fellows, subject to applicable requirements.
Fellowship Duration and Location
Many of the fellowships run for approximately 10 months during the 2027–2028 academic year.
The fellowship experience is based at Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. However, the duration, residency arrangements, and other participation requirements may vary depending on the specific programme.
Successful applicants become part of a research community examining important questions in science, technology, international security, energy, climate, and global affairs.
Application Deadline
Applicants interested in the Harvard Belfer Center Fellowships for the 2027–2028 academic year should take note of the following dates:
Application deadline: December 1, 2026.
How to apply