About this opportunity
A year of funded, uninterrupted thinking is the rarest thing in an early academic career, and this fellowship buys exactly that, on the campus of the Harvard Kennedy School.
The Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship is run by the Middle East Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. It supports junior and mid-career policy-oriented scholars and faculty for a full academic year, from 1 September to 30 June, to pursue an independent research project on a public policy question facing the UAE, the Gulf region and the broader Arab world. Applications for the 2027 to 2028 academic year opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 1 December 2026.
All nationalities are eligible to apply. The programme places particular emphasis on scholars who are from, and intend to return to, the UAE, the Gulf and the Arab world, which reaches African applicants from the Arab states of North Africa as well as anyone whose research speaks to the region. Priority research areas are optimizing governance, increasing economic dynamism, strengthening human capital, and improving public policy design and delivery.
The stipend is set by career stage, USD 55,000 for predoctoral fellows and mid-career practitioners without a doctorate, USD 65,000 for postdoctoral fellows less than five years past the PhD, and USD 75,000 for fellows more than five years past it, with Harvard libraries and other resources included. Fellows are required to be physically present at Harvard for the duration, and generally take a full leave of absence or sabbatical from their employer. Letters of recommendation are due 15 December 2026 and decisions are announced no later than 27 February 2027.
What you receive
- Ten month stipend of USD 55,000, USD 65,000 or USD 75,000 depending on career stage
- Residence at the Harvard Kennedy School for a full academic year, 1 September to 30 June
- Access to Harvard University libraries and other research resources
- A defined research agenda in governance, economic dynamism, human capital or policy design and delivery
- Collaboration with named Harvard faculty and the wider Middle East Initiative community
- Non-stipendiary appointments are also available on the same application process
Who can apply
- Junior and mid-career policy-oriented scholars and faculty
- All nationalities are eligible to apply
- Particular focus on scholars who are from and intend to return to the UAE, the Gulf and the Arab world
- Predoctoral fellows and mid-career practitioners without a PhD, postdoctoral fellows, and senior-track PhD holders all have a defined stipend band
- Proposed research must address a critical public policy area relevant to the UAE, the Gulf region or the broader Arab world
- Able to be physically present at Harvard University for the duration of the fellowship
- Able to secure a full leave of absence or sabbatical from a primary employer where applicable
Who should not apply
- Fellows who have not received a doctoral degree within five years of beginning the fellowship are not eligible for Harvard University health benefits
- The fellowship expects a full leave of absence or sabbatical from your primary employer for the appointment period
- The writing sample must be composed without the use of generative AI
Documents to prepare
- Curriculum vitae listing all degrees earned with dates, and expected completion dates for degrees in progress
- Research proposal of three to five pages with a timeline, two or three Harvard faculty you would like to work with, and your funding request
- Unofficial transcript for applicants who have not earned a PhD
- Contact information for three recommenders
- Writing sample of fewer than 50 pages in English, with an abstract of 300 words or less, preferably single authored
How to apply
- Read the eligibility, priority research areas, expectations and application requirements on the fellowship page
- Prepare the CV, three to five page research proposal, transcript where required, recommender contacts and writing sample
- Register and apply through the Belfer Center Fellowship Application Portal
- Tell your three recommenders to submit their letters by 15 December 2026, since you are responsible for ensuring they arrive on time
- Submit your application before 1 December 2026
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed by the Middle East Initiative at the Belfer Center
- Priority is given to proposals centring the initiative research priorities of governance, economic dynamism, human capital and policy design and delivery
- Decisions are announced no later than 27 February 2027
- Fellows are expected to advance the research project in their application and produce a deliverable such as a book manuscript, journal article, working paper or policy brief
- Fellows may be asked to contribute to the public life of the Middle East Initiative, including organising or speaking at events
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Do I have to be from the Gulf or the Arab world?
No. All nationalities are eligible to apply, while the programme gives particular focus to scholars from and returning to the UAE, the Gulf and the Arab world.
How much is the stipend?
Ten month stipends are USD 55,000 for predoctoral fellows and mid-career practitioners without a PhD, USD 65,000 for postdoctoral fellows less than five years past the doctorate, and USD 75,000 for fellows more than five years past it.
Can I keep working at my job?
Fellows are generally required to take a full leave of absence or sabbatical from their primary employer for the duration of the appointment, and must be physically present at Harvard University.
When is the deadline?
Applications close 1 December 2026, with letters of recommendation due 15 December 2026 and decisions announced no later than 27 February 2027.
Is there a shorter option?
Proposals for semester-length fellowships may also be considered with appropriate professional justification.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
