Applications for the Harvard Rowland Fellowship Program 2026 are now available. It offering a fully funded opportunity for early-career researchers in science and engineering. This fellowship hosted at the Rowland Institute at Harvard that allows international candidates to establish their own research programs in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with no application fee. It is specially designed to foster innovative, high-impact research that lasts five years. The fellowship program starting in either September or December 2026. Fellows will teach Harvard undergraduates for at least one semester. This experience enhances their academic skills while strengthening Harvard’s research community. Applicants should have earned or be close to earning—their PhDs after May 1, 2024, making this a perfect opportunity for scientists ready to push research boundaries and explore new experimental ideas.
Key points:
- Fully funded for early career engineers and scientists.
- Five-year duration with independent research opportunities.
- Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts a center for scientific collaboration.
- No application fee and available to candidates worldwide.
- Teaching opportunity where fellows interact with undergraduate students.
Harvard Rowland Fellowship Summary
| Fellowship In | USA |
| Available For | Internationals |
| Fellowship Type | Fully Funded |
| Last Date to Apply | August 15, 2025 |
Also Check: RIFS Fellows Program 2026 Germany: Fully Funded
Fellowship Benefits
- Start-Up Funding:
- Initial funding for major research equipment.
- Customized to match the Fellow’s research needs.
- Yearly Budget:
- At least $225,000 per year for:
- Lab supplies and operating costs
- Travel for conferences and research
- Hiring team members (postdocs, postbacs, undergraduates)
- At least $225,000 per year for:
- Salary & Benefits:
- Starting salary of $89,999 per year.
- Full Harvard employee benefits (healthcare, retirement, etc.)
Other Benefits
- Private lab space plus access to specialized support rooms (cell culture, magnet rooms, etc.)
- Option to teach undergraduates (at least one semester) and gain valuable teaching experience for career growth.
- Work with staff scientists and engineers to design and build custom experiments.
- Access to shared high-tech facilities including:
- Center for Nanoscale Systems
- Bauer Life Science Core Facility
- Guidance on lab management and culture.
- Support for scientific writing and budgeting.
- Get leadership training and mentorship at Harvard.
Eligibility Criteria
- Both US citizens and non-citizens are eligible and Harvard will help with visa processing if needed.
- Applicants must be finishing their PhD or have earned it after 1 May 2024 and must hold the degree before the fellowship starts.
- Experimental research in science or engineering fields like:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Neuroscience
- Engineering
- Projects that involve human subjects or any clinical work are not supported.
- Selection is based on the quality of the proposed science not on the discipline.
- Candidates may apply from any accredited university in the United States or abroad.
Read More: CATS Fellowships 2026 in Germany
Required Documents
- A 250-word elevator pitch about your research for everyone.
- A three-page maximum Statement of Research describing your project and recent work.
- Your curriculum vitae CV.
- A one-page vision statement about your values and lab culture plans.
- Contact info for three or four referees for a recommendation request.
Timeline
- August 15th 2025: Last day to apply.
- Recommendation letters are due by August 29, 2025.
- Ineligible applicants will be notified in mid-September.
- First-round Zoom interviews take place in mid-October, and unsuccessful candidates will be informed.
- Finalists visit the Institute on November 13–14, 2025.
- Day 1: Show your work at a big meeting.
- Day 2: Talk with team and leaders.
- Final decisions are made in early December 2025, and selected candidates will be notified.
Application Process for the Rowland Fellowship 2026
Application process is online. Candidates must submit their applications through the Harvard website. Use the link below to apply.
Apply Now For The Rowland Fellowship 2026