The Harvard Library Visiting Fellowships at Houghton Library invite scholars from around the world and at all stages of their academic or professional careers to engage in advanced research using the library’s exceptional collections. The program offers fellows the opportunity to explore rare and distinctive holdings, collaborate with Harvard staff, and participate in the university’s vibrant intellectual community. About the Fellowship Program The Visiting Fellowship program supports projects that require in-depth research on Houghton Library’s diverse collections, which span centuries and disciplines. Fellows gain access to the extensive resources of Houghton and other Harvard libraries, while also being encouraged to share their findings through publications, presentations, and public programs. Research conducted by past fellows reflects the extraordinary range of Houghton’s materials—from colonial-era Native American music and Sanskrit manuscripts to Iberian chivalric romances and Wole Soyinka’s Prison Notes. Although historically focused on European and North American cultural records, Houghton’s collections also include significant primary sources related to the languages, histories, and cultures of Indigenous peoples and global communities across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The fellowship actively encourages proposals that re-examine these collections through a global or interdisciplinary lens, particularly those connecting historical materials to contemporary social, political, and cultural discourse. Recent fellowship expansions in gender and sexuality studies and early modern Black lives demonstrate Houghton’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives. Fellowship Opportunities and Areas of Study Thanks to the generosity of numerous benefactors, fifteen endowed fellowships support specialized research across a range of disciplines. Some notable fellowships include: Beatrice, Benjamin, and Richard Bader Fellowship in the Visual Arts of the Theatre Maryette Charlton Fellowship for the Performing Arts, emphasizing gender and sexuality research Donald and Mary Hyde Fellowship for Research in Early Modern Black Lives Rodney G. Dennis Fellowship in the Study of Manuscripts Eleanor M. Garvey Fellowship in Printing and Graphic Arts William Dearborn Fellowship in American History Ralph Waldo Emerson Fellowship for the Study of Emerson and his Circle Howard D. Rothschild Fellowship in Dance Houghton Mifflin Fellowship in Publishing History The Theodore Roosevelt Association Fellowship for the Study of the Life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt These endowed fellowships highlight the breadth of scholarship supported—from literature, history, and performance arts to cultural and archival studies. Fellowship Details and Funding Fellows are required to be in residence at Houghton Library for a minimum of four weeks during the fellowship year, which runs from July through June. Each fellowship carries a stipend of $4,500, designed to support living expenses and research costs during the appointment period. While Harvard University sponsors visa applications for non-U.S. citizens, recipients are responsible for visa fees. Stipends are typically disbursed within two to three weeks of arrival. Fellows are also expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation and to produce a written report summarizing their research experience with the collections. In addition to the core funding, successful applicants may be considered for supplementary support through the American Trust for the British Library (ATBL) Research Fellowship Program. Eligibility Criteria The program is open to applicants of all nationalities and welcomes a wide spectrum of scholars, including doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, independent scholars, curators, and library or museum professionals. Applicants must be 18 years or older, and preference is given to scholars who do not live within commuting distance of the library. The program strongly encourages applications from individuals belonging to underrepresented groups in academia, including women, Black, Indigenous, and other scholars of color, first-generation academics, and persons with disabilities. This commitment reflects Houghton’s ongoing dedication to equity and inclusivity in research and cultural scholarship. Application Process Applications for the 2026–2027 fellowship cycle open on October 6, 2025, and must be submitted by January 16, 2026. Candidates are required to provide: A project proposal (maximum 500 words) A preliminary list of Houghton collection materials (applications without this list will not be considered) A curriculum vitae One letter of reference Applicants need not apply for specific fellowships; the selection committee will match successful candidates to the most suitable award based on the project’s scope and alignment with the fellowship objectives. Applicants are encouraged to save their work frequently and to submit only complete applications through the official online portal. Program Impact and Engagement Fellows are invited to immerse themselves in the academic environment of Harvard, participating in seminars, workshops, and public events that foster cross-disciplinary exchange. Houghton Library also provides platforms for fellows to showcase their work, enriching both scholarly and public understanding of the library’s extensive and multifaceted holdings. Through this initiative, Harvard Library continues to strengthen its role as a global research hub, advancing new perspectives in humanities scholarship and promoting inclusive access to historical knowledge. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. 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