Visiting Fellows
Program Overview
Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is September 4, 2026 at 5:00pm EST.
Each year, DRCLAS selects a cohort of distinguished academics (Visiting Scholars) and practitioners (Fellows) who wish to spend one or two semesters at Harvard working on their own research and writing projects. With the support of our donors, we receive seven to ten Scholars and Fellows per year, each with a named position. Visiting Scholars and Fellows are selected competitively by DRCLAS’ Executive Committee, in consultation with a broad range of Harvard faculty from varied disciplines. The selection is based on the applicant's qualifications, the quality of the applicant's research plans, and the relevance of both to the mission of DRCLAS and the Harvard community.
In this page you will find information for our Visiting Fellows positions, aimed at practitioners with advanced careers in their fields and strong expertise in Latin America and the Caribbean. There are no disciplinary requirements to apply: as a University-wide Center, we welcome fellows from all fields of research and practice. Please review the details and FAQ carefully before submitting your application.
Eligibility
We accept applications for positions as Visiting Fellows from practitioners, independent artists, journalists, and writers with a strong scholarly bent who wish to work on a research-oriented project while at Harvard.
- A Ph.D. is not required to apply as a Fellow, but candidates should meet a high bar of professional achievements in their areas of expertise. Fellows should havean advanced career with a substantial body of work centered on the region.
- Priority will be given to Fellows whose primary residence is in Latin America or the Caribbean.
- Proficiency in both written and spoken English is expected of Fellows. Each Fellow is expected to present a colloquium talk in English on a topic related to their research and is encouraged to be available for informal consultation by faculty and students with related interests. If selected, non-native English speakers will have to demonstrate proficiency by providing TOEFL or IELTS scores OR through conversations via Zoom (audio and visual) with DRCLAS administrators. Such demonstration is also required for visa purposes.
- Selected applicants are required to be in residence during their fellowship period, which can last from a minimum of one academic semester to a full academic year. Fall term appointments run from September 1 to December 31. Spring appointments go from January 1 to June 30.
Application Process and Requirements
The application deadline is September 4, 2026. Results will be announced by the first week of February, 2027.
Follow this link to access the application portal. The portal will take you through the application steps. As part of your online application, you will be asked to upload to the portal the following documents in English:
- Proposal. A 3-to-4-page description of the project you propose to conduct while at Harvard. Your proposal must be clearly defined and should address how the proposed project connects to and benefits from Harvard's unique resources (including libraries, departments, faculty, ongoing projects, special initiatives, etc.). Please upload your proposal as a PDF file, labeled Proposal_Lastname.
- CV. An updated CV in pdf format no longer than 6 pages, labeled CV_Lastname.
- Two letters of Recommendation. The application portal will guide you on how to ask for letters of recommendation from two separate recommenders, in English. Your recommenders should be able to speak to your trajectory, your proposed project, and the benefits you would derive from this opportunity. Letters should be submitted in PDF format from the recommenders after an invitation from the application system.
Benefits
- Recipients receive a taxable $35,000 living stipend while at Harvard. The duration of appointments typically spans one or two semesters based on the applicant's preference, yet the stipend remains fixed at $35,000, irrespective of the residency length. Visiting Scholars and Fellows can seek additional funding from their academic institutions, external foundations, or personal resources to cover costs.
- The residential fellowship covers up to $4,000 as a taxable stipend to cover relocation expenses to and from the home state/country for both the recipient and any dependents joining them. This allocation encompasses expenses such as meals, luggage, and ground transportation associated with round-trip traveling.
- For Visiting Scholars and Fellows who do not have coverage from their employers in the United States, the fellowship includes emergencies and urgent care insurance coverage for the scholars and their immediate dependents.
- DRCLAS offers J1 visa sponsorship for scholars or fellows and their dependents. The Harvard International Office (HIO) helps individuals secure visas and other appropriate documentation allowing them to enter the United States and pursue their activities at Harvard. The United States government, however, remains the final arbiter of all immigration-related cases. All appointments are contingent upon approval of an appropriate visa as required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Besides a stipend and relocation reimbursement, Visiting Scholars and Fellows are provided shared office space at DRCLAS, library borrowing privileges, access to Harvard’s facilities and events, and opportunities to audit classes and attend seminars in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and other Harvard professional schools.
Equal Opportunity and Contingencies
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.
- All appointments are contingent upon approval of an appropriate visa as required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- All appointments are contingent on institutional review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my country of citizenship matter? Do you accept individuals only from Latin America or the Caribbean or could I be from the United States or Spain, for example?
We accept applicants with any citizenship(s), but you must work on topics related to Latin America and the Caribbean to be eligible.
Q: Is this a postdoctoral program?
This is not a postdoc. Current Ph.D. students and recent Ph.D. graduates are not eligible for the Visiting Scholars and Fellows Program at DRCLAS.
Q: I am currently enrolled in a PhD/Master's program but will graduate before September—am I eligible to apply?
Applicants cannot be students in doctoral or master's programs at the time of application submission.
Q: What academic/professional degree do I need to be a competitive candidate? Can I apply if I only have a master’s degree, a law degree, or a medical degree?
To apply as a Visiting Scholar, you must have received your doctorate (or appropriate terminal degree) prior to your application submission. To apply as a Visiting Fellow, you do not require a Ph.D., but you must have a proven academic and professional record to indicate your expertise in your field.
Q: Do you accept academics from the sciences?
We do! We accept applications from any field of study. You can review the list of our past Scholars and Fellows for an overview of the varied disciplinary fields they cover.
Q: I have already been a visiting scholar at DRCLAS. Can I apply again?
No, but we would love to stay connected to you and your work! You can write to the email drc_vsf@fas.harvard.edu with any updates or questions you have as an alumni.
Q: I am a current visiting scholar at another unit in Harvard. Can I apply?
Yes. Please indicate your current Harvard affiliation in your application.
Q: I read fluently in English, but I find conversation to be challenging. How much English do I need to have?
Fluency in communicating with an English-speaking audience and peers is required. Speaking English is equally a requirement to obtain a J1 visa.
Q: What does the application entail?
The application materials consist of an application form, a project proposal, your updated CV, and the contact information of two references who will be prompted, via email, to upload letters of recommendation. All materials must be submitted via our online application portal before the deadline. We do not accept materials directly sent by email.
Q: How do I start an application?
Register as a new user by entering your name, email address, and password responses on the New User Registration page of the online application in Community Force. Once you have registered, you may log in to the portal and fill out all required sections. You can save as you go. When you have completed your application, you can preview your answers and submit your application.
Q: How long should my curriculum vitae be?
Your CV should be no longer than six pages. Please list clearly your professional affiliation (job title and organization you currently work for) and your most important achievements (publications, exhibits, past fellowships, etc.)
Q: How long should my project proposal be? What should I include in it?
The project proposal should be no longer than four pages. Your proposal will be reviewed by faculty specialized in your disciplinary field, and by a multidisciplinary committee. Therefore, all applicants should write for a broad academic audience. The project proposal should clearly state the significance of the topic for the academic debate it contributes to, and for its country(ies) of focus in the region. The project proposal should also specify why this project would benefit from being carried out at Harvard University.
Q: Can I include footnotes in the project proposal? What about a bibliography?
You can include footnotes and a short bibliography (1 to 3 pages) for your proposal, which will not be counted towards the four-page limit.
Q: In the proposal, do I have to include which resources and individuals I plan to leverage and connect with while on campus?
Yes, we recommend being specific about how your project will benefit from your stay at Harvard.
Q: Can I submit materials in a language other than English?
No. All materials must be in English.
Q: How many recommendation letters must be included with my application?
Two letters of recommendation must be submitted.
Q: Can my recommenders submit letters in a language other than English?
No, recommenders must submit their letters in English. Letters in another language will not be reviewed, and the application will be considered incomplete.
Q: When are my letters of recommendation due?
Both recommendation letters must be submitted before the application deadline, September 5, 2025. Without both recommendation letters, your application will be incomplete, and it will not be considered.
Q: How do I request recommendation letters via the application portal?
In the application portal, go to the “Request” section. Click on “Letter of Recommendation 1”. You will be prompted to fill in the Name and Email of your first recommender. You can also add a small message that will be included in the request. Once you select "Email Request," an email will be sent to your recommender with instructions for how to upload their letter in support of your application. Follow the same steps for your second recommender.
Q: How do I know if my recommenders submitted their letters?
You will receive an automated email when each Recommender has submitted their letter. The system will update automatically, so you do not need to reach out to us to let us know the recommender has submitted. It is your responsibility to follow up with your recommenders to ensure they submit their letters before the deadline.
Q: What if my recommender says they have not received an email request or are encountering an issue accessing the reference portal?
Please confirm that you listed the correct email address for your recommender in the Request section. If the email address you entered is correct, please advise the recommender to check their spam/junk folder in case the instructions were routed there. If they still encounter troubles, please tell them to reach out to drc_vsf@fas.harvard.edu so we can support them.
Q: Who evaluates my application?
Each application we receive is reviewed first by experts in the relevant disciplinary field and country of focus, then by a multidisciplinary faculty committee charged with selecting a diverse and highly accomplished cohort of scholars.
Q: When will I be notified of the results?
Applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process by email by the first week of February 2026.
Q: If I am not accepted into the program, can I reapply?
Yes, applicants may reapply during the next cycle.
Q: If I am accepted into the program, can I defer to the following year?
You cannot defer, but you are welcome to apply again the following year.
Q: If I am accepted, do I have to be in Cambridge for the duration of the fellowship?
Yes, this is a residential fellowship. You are expected to be on campus for the duration of your fellowship, whether that is one academic semester or one academic year.
Q: Can I receive feedback on my application?
We are unable to provide feedback on applications.
Questions?
Please email the DRCLAS Visiting Scholars Program: drc_vsf@fas.harvard.edu