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Eligibility of Research Fellowships in USA
Eligible candidates for Middle East Initiative Fellowships include untenured faculty members, recent recipients of a Ph.D. (or equivalent), and advanced doctoral candidates. Applications from political scientists, historians, economists, sociologists, and other social scientists are welcomed. Also, applications from women, minorities and citizens from all countries are encouraged. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
1. Predoctoral Fellowships
Doctoral scholarship applicants must pass general examinations, advance to candidacy, receive approval of the dissertation prospectus, and complete all necessary fieldwork for the dissertation at the time of application. Doctoral students are strongly expected to defend their dissertations at the end of their stay with us. Applicants with more than one year remaining in doctoral programs are unlikely to be selected. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
2. Fresh Postdoctoral Fellowships
Applicants for postdoctoral fellowships who expect to complete a Ph.D. program before the fellowship may apply for a postdoctoral appointment, with offers of a postdoctoral fellowship conditional upon the submission of proof of a Ph.D. completion before the scholarship start date of September 1. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
3. Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowships
Applicants for postdoctoral fellowships who received their doctoral degrees more than five years before the fellowship start date are eligible to apply. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
Middle East Initiative Fellowships Details
| Host Country | USA |
| Host Institute | Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs |
| Predoctoral Fellows | $50,000 |
| Fresh Ph.D. Fellows | $65,000 |
| Postdoctoral researcher holding a Ph.D. degree more than five years prior |
$75,000 |
| Duration | 10 Months |
| Nationality | All |
Middle East Initiative Fellowships Coverage
The Middle East Initiative Fellowship Program offers ten-month fellowships of $50,000 to pre-doctoral fellows, $65,000 to post-doctoral fellows, and $75,000 to fellows who have earned a Ph.D. more than five years before the start date of the scholarship. Please note that pre-doctoral students are not eligible for benefits. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
Those interested can apply for additional sources of funding. All applicants should clearly state in their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding and identify other potential sources of funding. Unpaid appointments are also offered, but the application process remains the same. Research Fellowships in USA – Middle East Initiative Fellowships for International PhD and Postdoc Researchers
Application Requirements for Middle East Initiative Fellowship Program
The following parameters are required to apply for Middle East Initiative Fellowships.
Curriculum Vitae: This should include all degrees obtained and dates obtained, as well as expected completion dates for any degrees still in progress.
Research Statement (3-5 pages): This should be a description of the project you intend to undertake while you are with us. This can be either a paper or book project, or more advanced candidates can design a study group of 8 to 10 sessions on a specific policy or research topic. (Harvard Study Groups are non-credit courses run by our Senior Visiting Fellows and often bring guest speakers to campus.)
Unofficial transcript (pre-doctoral co-applicants only): Please note that an applicant must progress to candidacy before submitting an application. Applicants with more than one year remaining in their doctoral programs are unlikely to be selected.
Contact Information for 3 Referrers: Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your referrers submit their referrals in a timely manner. MEI may contact delinquent referrers, but we cannot guarantee this.
Writing sample (less than 50 pages):
- Must include an abstract of 300 words or less
- It will preferably be from one author
- It can be published or unpublished
- Examples include: a journal article, a book chapter, a dissertation chapter, or a white paper you produced in your field
Application timeline Middle East Initiative Fellowships
The application review will start on October 30, 2022, until the positions are filled. The application portal will close on December 1, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST and letters of recommendation will not be accepted after December 15, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST. To ensure that your application is fully considered, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.