Weatherhead Scholars Program

The Weatherhead Center invites applications to its Scholars Program for 2026–2027. This program offers visiting scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and experienced practitioners the opportunity to spend up to one academic year at Harvard.

Please review the Weatherhead Scholars Program website and FAQ page thoroughly for detailed information. The position requirements differ by category, and full job descriptions are available on ARIeS, Harvard’s online portal for hiring. All application materials must be submitted through Harvard University’s academic portal by the stated deadlines to ensure full consideration.

Practitioner Fellows

Weatherhead Scholars Program Practitioner Fellows come from a range of professional backgrounds, including diplomacy, journalism, private sector leadership, the military, elected office, public service, and civil society. We welcome applicants from the United States and around the world who hold at least a bachelor’s degree, demonstrate a strong interest in international affairs, have a track record of professional impact, and show a clear commitment to engaging with academic and policy communities. Candidates may apply individually or be nominated by a sponsoring institution and must propose a project aligned with the mission of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs while committing to active participation in the program.

Visiting Scholars

Weatherhead Scholars Program Visiting Scholars are tenured or tenure-track faculty (or the international equivalent) in the social sciences. Applicants must hold a PhD in a discipline such as international affairs, political science, sociology, history, economics, environmental studies, or a related field, and be actively engaged in research on international, comparative, transnational, or global issues. This category is not open to adjuncts, lecturers, or non-ladder-rank researchers. Faculty are generally expected to secure their own funding through sabbatical salary or external grants. Candidates must propose a project aligned with the mission of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and commit to active participation in the program.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Weatherhead Scholars Program Postdoctoral Fellows in International Affairs are social scientists working on international, transnational, or comparative issues who hold a PhD in a social science discipline—such as international affairs, political science, sociology, history, economics, environmental studies, or a related field. Applicants must have earned their degree within the past three years or be scheduled to complete all requirements and defend their dissertation by the start of the appointment.

Who Is Eligible

Please visit the Weatherhead Scholars Program application page for eligibility requirements for each track. 

Program Activities and Benefits

• Audit courses, collaborate with world-renowned faculty, and access the largest university library system in the world.
• Join a dynamic cohort that includes cross-disciplinary scholars and practitioners (diplomats, military personnel, journalists, entrepreneurs) in a global conversation grounded in rigorous academic exchange.
• Attend our weekly seminar where participants present and refine their research. Spark new collaborations and raise provocative questions.
• Learn new research methods, publishing strategies, and public engagement. Participate in book workshops, roundtables, and other collaborative academic activities.
• Work on projects with real-world implications—whether developing books, policy papers, or practitioner toolkits.
• Join a network of former fellows who have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, international organizations, government, journalism, and the nonprofit sector.

How to Apply

Please visit the Weatherhead Scholars Program application page for application links for each track. 

Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scholars: October 15, 2025
Practitioner Fellows: March 5, 2026

For more information on the program, including costs associated with participation, please review our Weatherhead Scholars Program FAQs.

Note: General information on living expenses, visas, and health coverage is available on the website of the Harvard International Office.