The Carr Center welcomes applications from individuals seeking to affiliate for a year as Carr Center Fellows. Fellows can focus on research and writing, auditing classes, meeting faculty and other experts, leading study groups for students, and participating in other learning opportunities at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

Please note that fellowships through this open call are unpaid affiliations. Fellows typically have their own funding through their employer or home institution or through an external grant to cover their expenses. All fellowship terms are one academic year (September 1-June 30). 

Applications are now closed for the Carr Center Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort. Please check back in Spring 2025 to apply for the 2025-2026 cohort.

View our 2023–2024 Fellowship cohort here. 

Fellows can be post-docs, scholars, academics on sabbatical, human rights defenders, senior leaders in international organizations, or heads of human rights organizations. We welcome both emerging and established scholars and practitioners whose research and practice are aligned with the Center’s priorities. 

Fellowships are primarily non-residential; limited shared office space may be available for fellows wishing to be in residence, but this is not guaranteed. Occasional access to shared office space may also be available for those who are visiting the Cambridge/Boston area. 

Fellowship applications will require: 

  1. Resume/CV 
  2. Research proposal (including how it fits with the Carr Center's research and programmatic priorities and specific faculty) and your qualifications (up to 3 pages) 
  3. Executive summary of proposal (up to 200 words) 
  4. Two references from individuals who can comment on your ability to complete the proposed research (Please ask your references to submit these directly by the deadline to carr_center@hks.harvard.edu with the subject line "Carr Center Fellowship Application [First Name, Last Name]" 
  5. Relevant writing sample (up to 10 pages) 
  6. A list of prior publications or comparable professional deliverables (with links or up to 3 attachments)