Harvard University’s Scholars at Risk Fellowship offers eligible scholars facing persecution a safe environment to pursue research, with stipend, insurance and travel support. Applications for 2027–2028 fellowships close on 15 December 2026.
Background & Fellowship Description
Harvard University’s Scholars at Risk (SAR) Program is accepting applications and nominations for its 2027–2028 fellowship opportunities, supporting scholars who face risks of persecution because of their beliefs, scholarship or identity.
The fellowship provides a safe environment for selected scholars to continue their research and scholarly or artistic work. It aims to protect intellectual freedom while enabling fellows to pursue academic interests in a supportive environment.
According to Harvard, the fellowship currently provides a stipend, insurance coverage and travel support, depending on the scholar’s location and number of dependents.
Applications and nominations for the 2027–2028 fellowships must be submitted by 15 December 2026.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Harvard University |
| Programme | Scholars at Risk Fellowship |
| Fellowship period | 2027–2028 |
| Duration | Up to ten months or one year, depending on the fellowship arrangements |
| Financial support | Stipend |
| Additional support | Insurance coverage and travel support |
| Target applicants | Scholars facing risks of persecution |
| Application deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| Application method | Individual application or nomination |
| Official website | Harvard Scholars at Risk Fellowship |
Fellowship Benefits and Research Opportunities
The fellowship is designed to allow scholars to continue their intellectual and creative work in a safer environment. Participants can pursue research, scholarly interests or artistic activities while benefiting from Harvard’s academic environment.
Financial and Practical Support
The programme currently provides several forms of support:
- Stipend: Financial support during the fellowship period. The specific amount is not stated in the supplied announcement.
- Insurance coverage: Coverage provided under the programme’s applicable arrangements.
- Travel support: Assistance that depends on the scholar’s location and the number of dependents.
After fellows arrive, Harvard’s Scholars at Risk team works with them to explore possible next steps following the fellowship. Where desired, the team may also work towards securing accommodation for the post-fellowship year.
Who Can Be Considered a Scholar?
The programme is not limited to university employees. Eligible candidates may include academics, writers, artists, thinkers and independent intellectuals who pursue scholarly work and meet appropriate academic standards in their fields.
The fellowship is intended to support people facing risks associated with their work, prominence or exercise of fundamental human rights. Applicants do not have to be refugees to qualify.
The fellowship is not primarily intended as a platform for mobilising political support around the circumstances that caused the scholar’s situation, although such activity is not excluded.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must meet the programme’s scholarly and risk-related criteria.
Eligible candidates may include individuals who:
- Face a risk of persecution because of their beliefs, scholarship or identity.
- Meet appropriate academic standards in their field.
- Pursue scholarly, intellectual, research or artistic work.
- Can provide information about their academic background and the risks they face for consideration by the selection committee.
Applicants may apply on their own behalf or be nominated by another person or organisation.
Important eligibility restrictions: U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States are ineligible. Some people with permanent residency outside their home country may also be ineligible, depending on their circumstances.
The Scholars at Risk Committee makes the final selection decisions and may verify applicants’ credentials and accounts of the risks they face.
Additional Information
Applications for the 2027–2028 fellowship period close on 15 December 2026.
The application and nomination form, including instructions and a detailed list of required documents, is available through the fellowship section of Harvard’s Scholars at Risk website.
How to apply: Visit the official Harvard Scholars at Risk website, open the Fellowship section and select “Nominate or Apply” to access the relevant form and application instructions.
Fellowships are generally awarded for the following academic year. Emergency applications may also be considered where possible.
Applicants should note that the fellowship is temporary. At the end of the fellowship period, fellows are expected to return to their home country or seek placement elsewhere.
For immigration and visa questions, Harvard directs applicants to the Harvard International Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Harvard Scholars at Risk Fellowship?
It is a fellowship that provides eligible scholars facing persecution with a safer environment to continue their research, scholarly activities or artistic work.
2. What financial support does the fellowship provide?
The programme currently provides a stipend, insurance coverage and travel support. Travel arrangements depend on the scholar’s location and number of dependents. The specific stipend amount is not stated in the supplied announcement.
3. What is the application deadline?
The deadline for the 2027–2028 fellowships is 15 December 2026.
4. How long does the fellowship last?
The published information describes a maximum duration of ten months or one year. Applicants should consult the official application materials for the applicable arrangements.
5. Who is eligible to apply?
Scholars who face risks of persecution because of their beliefs, scholarship or identity may be considered. Eligible candidates can include academics and independent intellectuals, writers, artists and thinkers engaged in scholarly work.
6. Must applicants be refugees?
No. Harvard states that Scholars at Risk fellows do not need to be refugee scholars, although they must meet the programme’s risk and scholarly criteria.
7. Can U.S. citizens apply?
No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States are ineligible under the published criteria.
8. Can someone apply on behalf of another scholar?
Yes. The programme accepts applications from individuals and nominations submitted on behalf of eligible scholars.
9. Is the fellowship renewable or permanent?
The fellowship is temporary. After it ends, fellows must return to their home country or seek another placement. The supplied information does not promise renewal or permanent residence.
10. Where can applicants find the application form?
Applicants should visit the official Harvard Scholars at Risk website and select “Nominate or Apply” under the Fellowship menu.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Harvard Scholars at Risk Fellowship may be particularly relevant to researchers, academics and independent intellectuals who face persecution and need a safe environment to continue their work. The stipend, insurance and travel support can help fellows undertake a temporary period of scholarly activity, while Harvard’s post-fellowship planning support may assist with considering future options.
Candidates should carefully review the eligibility restrictions and required documentation before applying. Selection is determined by the programme’s committee and is not guaranteed by submitting an application or nomination.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares fellowship and educational opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with Harvard University or the Scholars at Risk Program. Applicants should confirm all eligibility rules, benefits and application requirements through the official programme website.
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