Harvard Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship 2027–2028

The Harvard Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship 2027–2028 is a research programme offered through the Middle East Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

Supported by the Abu Dhabi Government's Department of Government Enablement, the fellowship aims to strengthen public policy research and support evidence-based solutions to major challenges affecting the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region and the broader Arab world.

The programme welcomes promising junior and mid-career scholars, policy researchers, faculty members and relevant professionals who want to conduct independent research during an academic year at Harvard University.

Fellows pursue projects addressing public policy issues, including government effectiveness, economic transformation, education, workforce development and improved policy design.

The fellowship supports four principal research priorities: optimising governance, increasing economic dynamism, strengthening human capital, and improving public policy design and delivery.

Selected participants undertake their research while based at Harvard, using university libraries and other academic resources. They are expected to develop a research output, such as a policy brief, journal article, working paper or book manuscript.

Although the programme particularly encourages scholars from the UAE, Gulf and Arab countries who intend to return to the region, applicants from all nationalities may apply.

Applicants should meet the following conditions and expectations:

• Be a junior or mid-career policy-oriented scholar, researcher, faculty member or relevant professional.

• Applicants from all nationalities are eligible.

• Propose an independent research project relevant to public policy challenges in the UAE, Gulf region or broader Arab world.

• Demonstrate the potential for constructive, real-world impact through the proposed research.

• Be able to remain physically present at Harvard University throughout the fellowship appointment.

• Be prepared to develop a substantive research output during the fellowship.

• Normally be able to take a leave of absence or sabbatical from their primary employer for the appointment period, where applicable.

• Provide the application documents and recommendations required by the Middle East Initiative.

Preferred applicants and research proposals:

• Scholars from the UAE, Gulf or wider Arab world who intend to return to the region.

• Research addressing governance, economic dynamism, human capital, or public policy design and delivery.

• Relevant expertise in public policy, social sciences, government, economics or related areas.

Selected fellows may receive the following benefits:

• $55,000 Stipend: For predoctoral fellows and mid-career practitioners without a PhD, over the ten-month fellowship.

• $65,000 Stipend: For postdoctoral fellows who received their PhD less than five years before the appointment start date.

• $75,000 Stipend: For fellows who earned their PhD more than five years before the appointment start date.

• Harvard Research Resources: Access to Harvard's libraries and other academic research resources.

• Research Development: An opportunity to undertake an independent project addressing significant policy challenges.

• Academic Collaboration: Opportunities to connect with Harvard faculty and other fellows.

• Professional Exposure: Potential participation in events and activities within the Middle East Initiative.

The official fellowship announcement requires the following application materials:

• CV or Résumé: Include academic degrees already earned, dates of completion and expected completion dates for degrees still in progress.

• Research Proposal (3–5 Pages): Explain the research questions, policy problems or gaps the proposed project will address.

• Research Timeline: Include the anticipated stages for conducting, completing and publishing the research within the proposal.

• Harvard Faculty References: Identify two or three Harvard faculty members with whom you would like to collaborate and explain their relevance.

• Funding Information: Indicate whether you seek full or partial funding and disclose other possible funding sources.

• Unofficial Academic Transcript: Required for applicants who have not earned a PhD.

• Three Recommenders: Provide the contact information of three people who can submit recommendations.

• Writing Sample: Submit an English-language sample shorter than 50 pages.

• Writing Sample Abstract: Include an abstract of no more than 300 words.

Officially identified selection priorities include:

• Strong potential as a junior or mid-career policy-oriented scholar or professional.

• A research proposal addressing significant public policy challenges in the UAE, Gulf or Arab world.

• Potential for constructive, practical policy impact.

• Research relevance to the Middle East Initiative's priority areas.

• Interest in improving governance, economic dynamism, human capital or public policy implementation.

• Regional connection and intention to return to the UAE, Gulf or Arab world, where relevant.

The programme particularly welcomes scholars, public servants, policy analysts and social scientists whose work can contribute to evidence-based policymaking.

• Conduct independent policy research while based at Harvard University.

• Gain access to Harvard's academic libraries and research resources.

• Develop a policy-relevant publication or other substantive research output.

• Engage with specialists working on issues affecting the Middle East.

• Strengthen expertise in governance, economics and policy evaluation.

• Explore academic collaborations with Harvard researchers.

• Build experience connecting academic research with practical public policy challenges.