Fellow status is available to individuals holding a doctoral degree (or its equivalent), as well as to advanced doctoral candidates who have completed all required coursework and wish to pursue dissertation or independent research at Harvard. Fellows are welcome to audit courses and to attend departmental seminars, conferences and workshops.
Applications for Fellow are reviewed by department faculty each September and March for the following academic year. The key determinant in the acceptance of a Fellow is whether or not the scholar’s research interests are closely aligned with those of a member of our faculty.
The documents outlined below must be submitted by March 1 for consideration at the March meeting, and by August 31 for consideration at the September meeting. Those wishing to visit in the summer will be considered in the preceding September meeting. It is strongly recommended that all applications be sent several months in advance of the September and March meetings. Consideration of your application will begin when all materials have been received.
To apply for a Fellow position, please email us at lingdept@fas.harvard.edu and include the following materials (in English) as electronic attachments:
- a cover letter stating dates of proposed visit
- an up-to-date cv
- a brief (up to two-page) research proposal for the proposed visit
- two letters of recommendation on institutional letterhead; they can be sent by email attachment to lingdept@fas.harvard.edu
- one to two samples of your work, up to 10 pp. in length, preferably in English; if it is not in English, please also provide an abstract of the work translated into English
Soon after the September and March meetings, a member of our staff will notify you of the decision regarding your application. If accepted, you will be provided all necessary forms as well as instructions to assist you with the details regarding your appointment and visit.
For International Visiting Scholars
Funding requirements:
To comply with US Government regulations, the financial minimum for non-medical area international scholar appointments is $35,000 per year for a single scholar (pro-rated for the duration of stay) and an additional $6,500 for each accompanying family member.
We strongly urge you to refer to the Harvard International Office (HIO) website for relevant information regarding the following:
visas, health insurance, housing, travel and other general information.