Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027: $92,000 Annual Salary at Harvard University

The Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027 is a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship offered by the Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) for recent doctorate recipients interested in addressing complex environmental challenges.

The two-year fellowship gives scholars the opportunity to work with Harvard faculty members across different schools and departments while developing an independent research project related to environmental issues. Fellows can benefit from Harvard’s extensive academic resources, interdisciplinary research community and professional development opportunities.

For the 2027 cohort, Harvard expects to award approximately five fellowships. The application deadline is December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

Quick Facts

• Fellowship: Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027
• Host: Harvard University Center for the Environment
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
• Duration: 2 years
• Level: Postdoctoral / Early-Career Research
• Annual Salary: $92,000
• Health Insurance: Eligible employee health insurance
• Relocation Support: Up to $2,500
• Professional Allowance: $2,500 per year
• Expected Awards: Approximately 5
• Eligible Degree Period: May 2023 – August 2027
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
• Host & Recommendation Deadline: December 11, 2026
• Expected Decision: Late January 2027

What Does the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program Offer?

The Environmental Fellows Program provides a two-year appointment at Harvard for recent doctorate recipients who want to develop innovative research addressing environmental challenges.

Selected fellows receive a $92,000 annual salary, eligibility for employee health insurance, up to $2,500 in relocation reimbursement, and a $2,500 annual allowance for travel and other professional expenses.

In addition to financial support, fellows become part of an interdisciplinary research community and participate in HUCE’s co-curricular activities. The program includes biweekly dinners with other fellows, Harvard faculty and invited speakers.

Research Areas

The fellowship is intentionally broad and welcomes environmental research from a wide range of academic disciplines.

Potential areas include:

• Climate Change
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Energy
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Economics
• Public Policy
• Law
• Public Health
• Medicine
• Social Sciences
• Architecture and Environmental Design
• Humanities
• Engineering
• Sustainability

Applicants do not have to come from a traditional environmental science background. Harvard notes that successful fellows and hosts may come from sciences, economics, law, government, public policy, public health, medicine, design and the humanities.

Who Can Apply?

The Harvard Environmental Fellows Program is designed for recent doctorate recipients or candidates with an equivalent terminal degree.

For the 2027 cohort, applicants should have received their terminal degree between May 2023 and August 2027. Candidates must have completed their dissertation requirements before beginning the fellowship in September 2027.

Applicants without a PhD may also be considered when their discipline uses another type of terminal degree as the standard qualification.

Candidates can have earned their degree at any university worldwide, and international applicants are eligible.

Research Proposal Requirements

One of the most important parts of the application is the proposed research project.

The project should:

• Address an important environmental issue.
• Represent an independent line of inquiry.
• Extend beyond the applicant’s previous PhD research.
• Go beyond the existing research of the proposed Harvard host.
• Demonstrate strong potential for intellectual achievement.
• Make effective use of Harvard’s interdisciplinary resources.

Interdisciplinary research is encouraged, although applicants working within a single discipline are also eligible.

This means applicants should avoid simply continuing their doctoral research. Instead, they should demonstrate how the fellowship will allow them to move into a new research direction.

Harvard Faculty Host Requirement

Applicants must secure a commitment from one or more Harvard faculty members to serve as their research mentor.

The faculty host is expected to:

• Mentor the fellow during the two-year fellowship
• Support the proposed research project
• Provide office or laboratory space
• Provide basic administrative support
• Submit a letter of support to the selection committee

The host’s enthusiasm for the applicant and proposed research is an important factor in the selection process. Harvard strongly recommends that prospective applicants begin identifying and contacting potential faculty hosts early.

Importantly, an application will not be reviewed without a faculty host letter.

Eligibility for Harvard Candidates

Current Harvard researchers may also be eligible under specific conditions.

Applicants who received their terminal degree from Harvard or are currently postdoctoral researchers at Harvard can apply if their proposed research and host arrangements take them in significantly new directions and create new connections within the University.

They should not propose to continue working with the same professors or research groups with whom they are currently associated, and extensive work with a thesis advisor is not appropriate.

Selection Criteria

The Environmental Fellows Program is highly competitive. The selection committee considers several aspects of an applicant’s academic profile and proposed research.

Key factors include:

• Previous academic and professional achievements
• Potential contribution to scholarship or practice
• Quality and originality of the research proposal
• Relevance of the project to environmental challenges
• Potential for intellectual achievement
• Ability of the project to establish an independent research direction
• Strength of the proposed Harvard host’s commitment
• Mentoring and research environment offered by the host

A selected group of applicants may also be invited to discuss their research proposal with the selection committee through a video interview.

Fellowship Experience at Harvard

Environmental Fellows become part of a university-wide research community designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines.

HUCE organizes a co-curricular program where fellows can interact with one another and Harvard faculty. Fellows participate in biweekly dinners, providing opportunities to discuss research, exchange ideas and develop academic connections.

The fellowship therefore provides an opportunity not only to conduct research but also to establish connections across Harvard’s schools and professional communities.

Application Timeline for 2027

The important dates for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027 are:

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST
Host & Recommendation Letters: December 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST
Expected Decision: Late January 2027
Fellowship Start: 2027 academic year

Applicants should begin contacting potential Harvard faculty hosts well before the application deadline because securing a faculty commitment can take considerable time.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that your terminal degree falls within the required May 2023–August 2027 period and that you have relevant scholarly research experience.

Step 2: Identify a Harvard Faculty Host

Research Harvard faculty members whose expertise aligns with your proposed project and contact potential hosts early.

Step 3: Develop Your Research Proposal

Create an original proposal focused on an important environmental issue. Clearly demonstrate how the project extends beyond your doctoral research.

Step 4: Secure the Host Commitment

Obtain a formal commitment from a Harvard faculty member who is willing to mentor you and provide the required host letter.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the online application and submit all required materials by December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Host and recommendation letters are due by December 11, 2026.

Why Apply for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program?

The Harvard Environmental Fellows Program provides an excellent opportunity for early-career scholars to build an independent research career at one of the world’s leading universities.

Major benefits include:

• $92,000 annual salary
• Two-year Harvard fellowship
• Employee health insurance eligibility
• Up to $2,500 relocation reimbursement
• $2,500 annual professional allowance
• Access to Harvard research resources
• Mentorship from Harvard faculty
• Interdisciplinary research opportunities
• Academic and professional networking
• Opportunity to develop an independent research program

For researchers interested in climate change, sustainability, environmental policy, ecology, energy, environmental economics, public health and related fields, the fellowship offers a strong platform for developing innovative research and building a long-term academic career.

Official Application

Applications for the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program 2027 are submitted through Harvard’s official application system.

Official Harvard Environmental Fellows Program

Official Application Page

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Harvard Environmental Fellows Program?
It is a two-year postdoctoral fellowship that enables recent doctorate recipients to conduct environmental research with Harvard faculty.

How much does the fellowship pay?
Fellows receive a $92,000 annual salary, along with employee health insurance eligibility and additional allowances for relocation and professional expenses.

How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts two years.

Who can apply?
Recent doctorate recipients and candidates with comparable terminal degrees awarded between May 2023 and August 2027 can apply for the 2027 cohort.

Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Candidates who earned their degrees at universities anywhere in the world are eligible, and foreign nationals can apply. Harvard works with its International Office to support visa applications.

Do I need a Harvard faculty host?
Yes. Applicants must secure a Harvard faculty member who agrees to serve as a mentor and provide the required host letter. An application without a faculty host letter will not be reviewed.

Can I continue my PhD research?
The proposed project should represent an independent research direction that clearly extends beyond the applicant’s PhD research and the host’s ongoing work.

How many fellowships will Harvard award?
HUCE expects to award approximately five fellowships for the 2027 cohort.

What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Host and recommendation letters are due on December 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.