Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will need to submit an online proposal (through Qualtrics) by May 17, 2021 at 11pm ET. The application submission site will be opened in late March 2021.
How to Apply:
Complete the application on Qualtrics and upload required documents as prompted. Applicants must register to access the application: Access the Registration here (or paste this link into your browser: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6yuqELivP5h14ua)
The Harvard CAS Postdoctoral Research Fellowship application is hosted by Qualtrics and resides in a secure, encrypted environment that requires applicants to register to access the application. The registration is a one-time event with the application link sent to your inbox. Be advised that your application should be done on your regularly used computer to be able to save and return to your application. We strongly recommend that you use current generation browsers whenever possible. Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are the preferred browsers for this application. You may preview the application here.
Please Note: A complete application consists of fields submitted through the Qualtrics online portal and all requested attachments uploaded as PDFs into the application system. In addition, a confidential letter of recommendation is requested from the postdoc’s supervisor at their home institution who is familiar with your academic work as well as by a faculty mentor at Harvard University. Note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the confidential letters are submitted by the deadline due date.
The detailed components of the complete application are shown in the application form. An application will not be considered complete without these confidential letters from the mentors.
Application details:
- GENERAL INFORMATION: Candidates will be asked to enter biographical information and contact details. Candidates will be asked to enter academic/leadership/professional honors and detail any work or study completed in the last five years.
- EDUCATION HISTORY: Candidates will be asked to enter their education history, including name and location of institution, dates of attendance and degree, and field of study.
- WORK HISTORY: Candidates will be asked to enter their work history, including name and location of institution, position, and responsibilities.
- RESEARCH PROPOSAL: A single-spaced research proposal of no more than 2,000 words (font size 10 to 12 point) on the project to be pursued during the fellowship period. Proposals should include an 18-month timeline with up to six months in-residence at Harvard and the remaining time in-residence at the applicant’s home institution. The research proposal shall include: i. Research Project Title, ii. Specific Aims, iii. Research Plan (a. Significance b. Innovation/Value c. Approach/Methods), iv. Mentorship Plan (Frequency of mentor meetings, goals, etc.), and v. References (References will not count towards word limit). Include your full name on the top of each page and your signature at the end.
- PROJECT PLAN: Project plans should begin from September 1 of the year in which the proposal is submitted, and the six-month residency must be proposed for any consecutive six-month period between September 1 and the 18-months following. Candidates should consult with their mentors at Harvard and their home institutions to identify the ideal time for the residency portion. The time frame for the AY21/22 fellowship is September 1, 2021 – February 28, 2023.
- CV: A CV specifying education and experience including list of publications, conference presentations, awards, and fellowships.
- PERSONAL STATEMENT: The personal statement (500-700 words) should be typed in a standard font, font size 10 to 12 point, and double-spaced. Include your full name on the top of each page and your signature at the end. The personal statement should give the committee a sense of your background with the following questions in mind. Who you are? What motivates you and why you want to study a particular issue or topic. What kind of contribution do you want to make, and why? What are your goals? What path will you take to achieve them? This is the opportunity to introduce yourself to the selection committee for consideration.
- LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Applications must include two letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s intellectual and professional preparation for the fellowship. One recommendation should be from the faculty mentor at the applicant’s home institution and a second letter of recommendation should come from the Harvard faculty mentor. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by recommenders through Qualtrics. You will be required to enter the names, affiliations, and contact details of your referees. After you submit your application, referees will receive an e-mail to the address provided to submit their letters of recommendation. Please confirm with your recommenders that they have received this communication. Alternatively, recommenders can e-mail the letters directly to rosaline_salifu@fas.harvard.edu
- BUDGET: Fellows will be provided with a budget of up to $10,000 for research during the 18-month fellowship. Stipend during residency and travel to and from Cambridge for the residency portion will be covered separately. A budget stipulating detailed expenses during the fellowship period should accompany your application.