The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2026 is a new residential research opportunity at Harvard University for researchers interested in urban problem-solving, city leadership, public policy, innovation, and effective governance. Hosted by the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, the program supports researchers whose work can contribute both to academic knowledge and to real-world challenges facing cities and communities.

Selected participants will be appointed as Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars and will have the opportunity to spend either one semester or a full academic year in residence at Harvard. During the residency, scholars will receive protected time to advance their proposed research while becoming part of the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ multidisciplinary intellectual community.

About the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program

The program is designed for researchers working on important questions related to how cities solve problems, lead innovation, and deliver better results for residents. The Bloomberg Center for Cities aims to create a lasting community of scholars whose research can help strengthen the practice of urban leadership and governance.

Research areas of particular interest include mayoral leadership and management strategies, high-performing government teams, organizational innovation, evidence-based policy solutions, data and artificial intelligence for decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. Applicants from different academic disciplines and career stages are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. (Bloomberg Center for Cities)

Benefits

The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program provides scholars with an environment designed to support focused research and academic collaboration. Selected scholars will have access to:

• A residential research opportunity at Harvard University
• One semester or one full academic year of residency
• Housing near Harvard University
• Financial assistance to support sustained research
• Opportunities to engage with Harvard faculty, students, researchers, and practitioners
• Opportunities to organize seminars, study groups, talks, or panels
• Potential visa sponsorship, subject to Harvard policies and individual circumstances

The program is particularly valuable for researchers seeking dedicated time to develop research that can have an impact beyond academia.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program must hold a Ph.D. or comparable terminal research degree. At the time of application, applicants must also hold a current faculty or research appointment at a degree-granting university or recognized research institution.

Applicants must propose a specific research project that addresses an urban problem or city leadership challenge. The proposal should explain the research questions, theoretical foundation, methodology, significance, expected outputs, and potential impact of the project.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program opened on September 16, 2026, and the application deadline is October 28, 2026. Selected applicants are expected to receive notification in February.

Researchers interested in urban governance, public policy, city leadership, artificial intelligence, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making should consider this opportunity. The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2026 offers an opportunity to conduct meaningful research at Harvard while connecting academic work with the practical challenges faced by cities around the world.