Weatherhead Scholars Program - Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting Faculty Grant

Funder: Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University

The Weatherhead Scholars Program at Harvard University invites applications for postdoctoral researchers and visiting faculty for the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious opportunity allows scholars in the social sciences to engage in research, collaborate with renowned faculty, and participate in dynamic academic activities. Applicants should have a PhD in relevant fields and be actively engaged in international research. Limited funding may be available for postdoctoral fellows.

The Weatherhead Center invites applications to its Scholars Program for 2025–2026. This program offers visiting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and experienced practitioners the opportunity to spend up to one academic year at Harvard.
Weatherhead Scholars Program Visiting Scholars are tenured or tenure-track faculty (or the international equivalent) in the social sciences.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Weatherhead Scholars Program Postdoctoral Fellows in International Affairs are social scientists working on international, transnational, or comparative issues who hold a PhD in a social science discipline—such as international affairs, political science, sociology, history, economics, environmental studies, or a related field.
Program Activities and Benefits
Audit courses, collaborate with world-renowned faculty, and access the largest university library system in the world.
Join a dynamic cohort that includes cross-disciplinary scholars and practitioners (diplomats, military personnel, journalists, entrepreneurs) in a global conversation grounded in rigorous academic exchange.
Attend our weekly seminar where participants present and refine their research. Spark new collaborations and raise provocative questions.
Learn new research methods, publishing strategies, and public engagement. Participate in book workshops, roundtables, and other collaborative academic activities.
Work on projects with real-world implications—whether developing books, policy papers, or practitioner toolkits.
Join a network of former fellows who have gone on to distinguished careers in academia, international organizations, government, journalism, and the nonprofit sector.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a PhD in a discipline such as international affairs, political science, sociology, history, economics, environmental studies, or a related field, and be actively engaged in research on international, comparative, transnational, or global issues.Applicants must have earned their degree within the past three years or be scheduled to complete all requirements and defend their dissertation by the start of the appointment.Faculty are generally expected to secure their own funding through sabbatical salary or external grants. They will cover their own living expenses and may be assessed a program administrative fee.There will, however, be some funding for a small number of postdoctoral fellows.

Ineligibility

This category is not open to adjuncts, lecturers, or non-ladder-rank researchers.