Harvard Visiting Research Scholarship Program in the USA (Funded)

The Harvard Visiting Research Scholarship Program, offered by the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI), provides an opportunity for Harvard faculty to host international collaborators in global health. This six-week, in-person research residency takes place in April in Boston, USA, aiming to strengthen partnerships, foster academic exchange, and advance shared research goals.

This is a fully funded fellowship. It covers on-campus accommodation for the visiting scholars. Fellows will also receive a lump sum stipend to cover logistical expenses, including air tickets, J-1 visa fees, health insurance, and a daily per diem for meals.

Applicants must generally hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field. Exceptional candidates with a master's degree may also be considered. Scholars should have a demonstrated record of collaborative work with their sponsoring Harvard faculty member (e.g., publications, co-developed curricula, policy partnerships, or service work). Applicants must be in good standing with their home institution. Candidates must possess an active passport and be eligible to obtain a J-1 visa for travel to the United States. Applicants must satisfy English language requirements for visa purposes. The opportunity is focused on deepening existing collaborations rather than developing new ones, and is intended for peer or near-peer collaborators, not junior mentees. The sponsoring Harvard faculty member's department must commit to providing administrative support, including a non-faculty academic appointment and J-1 visa sponsorship.

Required documents include a Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the visiting scholar, a passport copy, two letters of reference, and other relevant supporting documentation.

The application process is initiated by a Harvard faculty member. The sponsoring faculty member must submit a request to host an international partner through an online application form. They will need to provide the visiting scholar's name, country of origin, position at their home institution, and the required documents.

Priority may be given to applicants whose faculty sponsors do not have other funding mechanisms for visiting scholars, and to thematic areas aligned with HGHI's interests, such as health equity, climate change and health, infectious diseases, digital transformation, global health financing, health justice, and community engagement. The visiting scholar is expected to live on campus in Boston for the six-week duration and present their project at HGHI events.