Harvard Global Health Visiting Scholarship 2027: Closed

Harvard Global Health Visiting Research Scholarship

The programme is designed to deepen an existing research relationship between a Harvard faculty member and an international collaborator in global health. It is not an open visiting-scholar scheme for applicants seeking to find a Harvard host from scratch.

What the Fellowship Covers

HGHI states that the visiting scholar’s in-residence period is financially covered through the fellowship award. Scholars receive a lump-sum stipend intended to support the logistical costs of the visit.

HGHI does not present the scholarship as an unrestricted salary or research grant. The award is specifically structured around enabling the six-week in-person collaboration.

Visiting Scholar Eligibility

• The visiting scholar should normally hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field; HGHI says exceptional candidates with a master’s degree may be considered.
• There must be demonstrated evidence of significant collaborative work with the Harvard sponsor, or strong foundations for substantial collaboration.
• The visitor must be in good standing with their home institution.
• An active passport and the ability to obtain a J-1 visa are required.
• The visiting scholar must be able to reside in the Boston area during the residency.
• The scholar must satisfy applicable English-language requirements for the visa process.

HGHI explicitly says it does not facilitate new introductions between prospective visiting scholars and Harvard faculty during the application process.

Requirements for the Harvard Faculty Sponsor

• The sponsor must be a Harvard faculty member at a Harvard school or affiliated hospital.
• The sponsor must show meaningful prior engagement with the visiting scholar.
• The sponsor’s primary academic department must be willing to provide the required non-faculty academic appointment and sponsor the J-1 visa.
• The sponsor must develop a work plan and meet regularly with the visitor during the six-week period.
• The application must make a clear case for why in-person collaborative time is valuable.

How the Application Works

The application is submitted by the Harvard faculty sponsor, not independently by the visiting scholar.

HGHI states that the application requests information including:

• the visiting scholar’s name, country of origin and current position;
• the visiting scholar’s CV;
• supporting documentation from the Harvard faculty sponsor; and
• two letters of reference addressed to HGHI.

Selection Priorities

HGHI evaluates the strength and maturity of the existing collaboration, the institutional readiness to host the scholar and the expected benefit of the in-person residency.

• Priority is given to genuine peer or near-peer collaborations rather than junior mentee arrangements.
• The Harvard department must be ready to support the required appointment and visa process.
• The application should explain clearly how the visitor will benefit professionally from being at Harvard in person.
• HGHI gives priority to sponsors who lack other funding mechanisms for visiting scholars.
• Priority themes include health equity, climate and health, infectious diseases, digital transformation, global health financing, health justice and community-engaged programming.