Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship 2027-2028 ($10,000 stipend)
Overview
The Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship 2027-2028 is offered by the Middle East Initiative and brings senior policy-oriented scholars to Harvard for one semester or one academic year, depending on their availability. Scholars lead a study group or pursue an independent research project on a critical public policy area relevant to Kuwait and the Gulf region. The fellowship supports the Kuwait Program's broader goal of advancing evidence-based, rigorous solutions to public policy challenges facing Kuwait, the Gulf region and the world.
Applicants propose one of two activities. A study group is an advanced academic seminar for Harvard students with four to seven sessions on a topic of the scholar's choosing, with students selected competitively. Proceedings may be developed into a Kuwait Program report published by the Middle East Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School. A research project is an independent project in the scholar's area of expertise, ideally in collaboration with a Harvard faculty member, which should lead to a significant scholarly output such as a book, edited volume, paper or peer-reviewed open-access journal article.
What you get
Visiting scholars receive a stipend of $10,000 per month, travel support and access to Harvard's libraries and other resources.
Who can apply
The fellowship is designed for accomplished senior policy-oriented scholars and faculty from Kuwait. Applicants must be from Kuwait, currently live and work in Kuwait, or be formally affiliated with a Kuwait-based academic or research institution. Priority goes to proposals focused on health, education, energy, environment, water and food security, and digital transformation and artificial intelligence as they relate to Kuwait and the Gulf region.
How to apply
Applicants submit a CV including all degrees earned, a 3 to 5 page study group or research project proposal, contact details for three recommenders, and a writing sample of fewer than 50 pages in English, with an abstract of 300 words or less. The sample should preferably be single-authored, may be published or unpublished, and must be written without generative AI. Study group proposals outline the topic, session-by-session subtopics and example readings. Research proposals cover the key questions, a timeline, any Harvard faculty collaborators and other funding sources. Applicants are responsible for making sure their recommenders submit letters.
Key dates
The application deadline is December 1, 2026.