Harvard Amazon Rainforest Immersion

2026 Harvard Amazon Rainforest Immersion

The Harvard Amazon Rainforest Immersion is a co-curricular field program involving a diverse group of students, faculty, and researchers from across Harvard and from the region. The program content is built around locally relevant topics related to the environment and sustainable development.

Overview

The Harvard Amazon Rainforest Immersion provides an intensive, cross-disciplinary introduction to Amazonia ecosystems and societies, exploring the complexities and challenges of a rapidly-changing biome shared by nine countries. Specific topics covered by the program will likely include:

rainforest ecology and biodiversity, as well as threats to the ecosystem;
local cultures and knowledge, including indigenous and riverine communities;
public health, human capital and inequalities;
public policy and global climate policy; and
local research and innovations

Participants will actively engage in site visits and experiential learning; lectures and discussions; interactions with local experts and communities; and group dynamics.

Pre-departure meetings, lectures and readings will take place prior to the Immersion. An individual reflection assignment will be completed following the Immersion.

Dates & Location

Dates: July 31 - August 9, 2026. Accepted students and scholars are required to participate for the entire duration of the Immersion.

Location: The Immersion will begin and end in Manaus. Most days will be spent at a camp site and on a boat in the State of Amazonas.

Eligibility

Eligibility for Harvard Students: Harvard students in good academic standing from any Harvard School and program are all eligible to apply.

Eligibility for Harvard Scholars: Harvard scholars (postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, etc.) from any Harvard School and program are all eligible to apply.

Eligibility of Non-Harvard Applicants: Applicants not associated with Harvard must reside in a country that shares part of the Amazon Rainforest, have advanced or fluent English language skills, and either: 1) be currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctoral Program at the time of the application deadline; or 2) have completed a Masters or Doctoral Program within the past five years and be currently employed as a researcher associated with a public or not-for-profit institution.

Please Note: The Immersion will include several days traveling by boat, travel on unpaved roads, and visits that may involve relatively long hikes. Those who often feel motion sickness on boats or in motorized vehicles are not advised to apply. No special training is required, but a reasonable level of fitness is advisable. Most meals will reflect a local fish-based diet, but options for vegetarians and vegans will be available.

Costs & Funding

Program Fee: The Immersion Program Fee is US$2,000 (two thousand dollars) per participant, which helps to cover accommodations, transportation, site visits, meals and other programmatic, logistical and security costs.

Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Manaus and for personal and incidental expenses, such as passport and visa fees, required vaccines, local independent tourism, and transportation to and from their local airport.

Need-Based Financial Aid may be available. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of their financial means.

Application Form & Deadline

Application form: Apply through this application form

Application deadline: February 22, 2026

Questions?

Contact Tim Linden, Associate Director, Harvard DRCLAS Brazil Office