The Academy Scholars Program identifies and supports outstanding scholars at the start of their careers whose work combines disciplinary excellence in the social sciences (including history and law) with a command of the language, history, or culture of non-Western countries or regions. Their scholarship may elucidate domestic, comparative, or transnational issues, past or present. The Academy Scholars are a select community of individuals with resourcefulness, initiative, curiosity, and originality, whose work in non-Western cultures or regions shows promise as a foundation for exceptional careers in major universities or international institutions.

Awards and Benefits

Postdoctoral scholars receive an annual stipend of $64,000 plus $3,000 in research funds and up to one hundred hours of research assistance, and predoctoral scholars will receive an annual stipend of $28,000. This stipend is supplemented by funding for conference and research travel, research assistance, and health insurance coverage. The Senior Scholars, a distinguished group of senior Harvard faculty members, act as mentors to the Academy Scholars to help them achieve their intellectual goals.

Who Is Eligible

The competition for these awards is open only to recent PhD (or comparable professional school degree) recipients and doctoral candidates from Harvard and universities around the world. Those still pursuing a PhD should have completed their routine training and be well along in the writing of their dissertations before becoming Scholars. Those in possession of a PhD for longer than three years are ineligible. Applications are welcome from qualified persons without regard to nationality, gender, or race.

Terms

Each year, four to five Academy Scholars are named for two-year appointments. Scholars are provided time, guidance, and access to Harvard facilities and are expected to reside in the Cambridge/Boston area for the duration of their appointments unless traveling for pre-approved research purposes. Some teaching is permitted, but it is not required.

How to Apply

Applications for the next class of Academy Scholars are due October 1, 2012. There is no application form. The following materials are required for a complete application:

• a current curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (include three copies);
• a statement of the applicant's proposed research, including intellectual objectives and planned methodological and disciplinary work—no more than 2500 words (include three copies);
• an official copy of each graduate transcript; and
• three letters of recommendation.
• a cover letter that succinctly states the applicant's academic field, country or region of specialization, and proposed or actual research topic (include three copies).

Please do not staple materials. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Finalists will be invited to Cambridge for interviews with the Senior Scholars on Monday, December 10, 2012. Announcement of the awards will be made in January 2013.

Application materials should be mailed to:
The Academy Scholars Program
Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
1727 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

For additional information contact Laurence H. Winnie , executive officer, Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies.

Deadline

October 1, 2012