Ernest May Fellowship in History and Policy 2027-2028 (stipend available)

Overview

The Ernest May Fellowship in History and Policy 2027-2028 honours Ernest May, Charles Warren Professor of American History, a member of the Belfer Center's board of directors and a faculty affiliate of its International Security Program, who passed away in June 2009. Fellows are housed within the Applied History Project and the International Security Program and have access to most Harvard University libraries and facilities. Fredrik Logevall, Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs, and Rana Mitter, S.T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, serve as contacts and mentors.

What you get

The fellowships include annual stipends of $65,000 USD for postdoctoral or advanced research fellows and $55,000 USD for predoctoral fellows. Postdoctoral fellows who received their PhD within the past five years are eligible for benefits. Predoctoral fellows, and postdoctoral fellows who received their PhD more than five years ago, receive full or partial reimbursement for health insurance premiums.

Who can apply

Preference goes to History PhD students or postdoctoral researchers, but scholars in other fields whose research projects have a strong historical focus will also be considered.

How to apply

Application materials include a CV or resume, an unofficial transcript for predoctoral applicants only, a research statement of 3 to 5 pages, and a writing sample of fewer than 50 pages. The writing sample must be a single published or unpublished piece written by the applicant alone, in English, to show English-language writing ability. It can be a journal article, book chapter, dissertation chapter, white paper or another piece from the applicant's field. Applicants must also provide contact information for three recommenders who will submit letters.

Key dates

The application deadline is December 1, 2026.