Ernest May Fellowship in History and Policy | Call for Applications

Applications are open for the Ernest May Fellowships in History and Policy 2027-2028. Harvard’s Belfer Center hosts this one-year program. The fellowships honor Ernest May, a renowned Harvard historian who died in 2009. Fellows join the Applied History Project and International Security Program.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Belfer Center, Harvard University
• Funding: $65,000 stipend (postdoctoral) or $55,000 (predoctoral)
• Duration: One academic year, non-deferrable
• Eligibility: Predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars, with preference for historians
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

Focus Areas

• Applied history and policy-relevant research
• International security and historical analysis
• Scholarly writing and publication
• Collaborative research within Harvard’s Belfer Center

About the Fellowship

Fellows work within the Applied History Project and International Security Program. They gain access to most Harvard libraries and facilities. Professors Fredrik Logevall and Rana Mitter serve as mentors and contacts. Fellows also contribute time to collaborative projects arranged by the project director.

What Fellows Receive

Postdoctoral and advanced research fellows receive an annual $65,000 stipend. Predoctoral fellows receive $55,000 for the academic year. Recent PhD recipients, within five years, qualify for benefits. Other fellows receive full or partial health insurance premium reimbursement. Fellows also enjoy broad access to Harvard’s academic resources.

Who Can Apply

Preference goes to History PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Scholars from other fields may also apply. Their research projects must show a strong historical focus. Fellows must complete a book, monograph, or major publication during residence.

Required Materials

Applicants submit a CV and a three-to-five-page research statement. A writing sample under 50 pages must demonstrate English-language ability. Predoctoral applicants must also include an unofficial transcript. Three recommenders must submit letters by December 15, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications open October 1, 2026. Submit yours before December 1, 2026.

#339966;">#339966;" href="https://www.belfercenter.org/fellowship/ernest-may-fellowship-history-and-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Apply

Conclusion

This fellowship offers historians a rare chance to shape policy-relevant scholarship at Harvard. Its stipend and library access support serious, publication-focused research. Applicants will learn their results by February 15, 2027. Confirm full requirements through the Belfer Center’s official fellowship page.

#008000;">READ MORE